James Clement notes:
Will: Captain Benjamin CLEMENTS
Pittsylvania Co., Virginia
Wife Susanna, 1/3 of movible estate, use of land I now live on.
Susan Clements, daughter of Benjamin, Jr., best bed & 5 pads, cash.
Heir at law of my daughter, Jeriah Gilbert, deceased, 1 shilling.
Heir at law of my daughter, Elizabeth Butterworth, deceased, 1 shilling.
Son, John Clements the land he now lives. 50 acres, lying on Frying Pan Creek.
At deceasde or marriage of wife Susanna after sale of whole amount of my estate (not bequathed) be divided betweeen ten equal parts:
1 part to James and rachel Gilbert, the children of Jeriah Gilbert, deceased.
1 part to John, Susanna, and rachel Abston, children of Rachel Abston, deceased.
1 part to Isaac, Stephen, Jane and Susanna Hill Butterworth, children of Elizabeth Butterworth, deceased. To be given toeach as they become of age.
1 part to Stephen Clements & his heirs.
1 part to Isaac Clements & his heirs.
1 part to Benjamin Clements & his heirs.
1 part to adam Clements & his heirs.
1 part to John Clements & his heirs
1 part to Susanna Evans.
1 part to Martha Clements, widow of son, James Clements.
Additional notes:
Benjamin, son of William Clements, married Miss Susannah Hill. Patented land on Sycamore Creek, on Staunton River, and later made his home there (1748). He lived in Amelia County, Virginia and sold the plantation in 1748 when he moved to the Staunton River land. Whe Halifax County became a county in 1751, Benjamin Clements, a Gentleman, was a Justice of eh Peace and appointed Captain of a company of Rangers for Hailax in 1755. He was the first to manfacture gunpowder in teh Colony and he and his neighbor, Charles Lynch, had a mill which tunred out 50 pounds a day. In the Hailfax County Militia as Captain. Died in Lunenburg County. Home known as "Clements Hill" with house overlooking a knoll on Staunton Ruver.
Benjamin continued to live on the Staunton River in a mansion with corner fireplaces. He was married to the daughter of Colonel Isaac Hill of King and Queen County. Charles Clements, a son of Adam and agnes Clements, inherited the place and in 1803 married Miss nancy Hamby of patrick and made his home there. The property passed John L. Hunt through a marriage with Nannaie Clements, grandaughter of Charles.
His wil is on file in Pittsylvania County, dated 1780, and his estate valued at 27.664 Pounds, 4 shillings and 8 D.
**********VIRGINIA GAZETTE AUGUST 5, 1775**********
Sometime ago my having made powder was mentioned in this paper...., I inform the public that Mr. benjamin Clements is a partner with me in making the powder and that he was the first in the Colony I haev learned of who attempted to make it, although he did bring it to perfection. Since our partnership, we have brought it to such perfection with salt-petre on ourown making, that the best rifleman approveof it; and the little mill we nowhave, we can make 50 lbs. a day. Salt-petre is only wanting, which may very easily be made by observing the following directions; and when it is considered how much we want powder adnnteh salt-petre is the principle ingredient, it is hoped that those who have no powder, consequently no means of defense; but with it we will soon have both in America, sir.
Your Humble Servant, Charles Lynch, August 5, 1774.
"The following directions for making salt-petre by digging up the floors of old meat houses, boiling the soil and straining the liquor through straw in a process somewhat similar to making lye from wood ashes."
Children:
1) Stephen Clements, b. 1732 in Clements Hill, Pittsylvania Co., VA
2) Isaac Clements, b. 1733 in Clements Hill, Pittsylvania Co., VA
3) Benajmin Clements, Jr. b. 1735
4) David Clements, b. 1737 in Clements Hill, Pittsylvania Co., VA
5) Adam Clements, b. 1739
6) Jeriah Lucy Clements.B. 1741
7) John Clements, b. 1743, in Amelia Co., VA
8) James Clements, b. 1745 in Clements Hill, Pittsylvania Co., VA
9) Rachel Clements, b. 1747 in Clements Hill, Pittsylvanis Co,. VA
10) Daniel Clements, b. 1749 in Clements Hill, Pittsylvania Co., VA
11) Elizabeth Celemnts, b; 1751 in Clements Hill, Pittsylvania Co., VA
12) Susannah Clements, b. 1754 in Clements Hill, Pittsylvania Co., VA