John Riddle Benge

• General Notes
  • http://donchesnut.com/genealogy/pages/riddle.htm
    
    
    From: J W Kite Jr<obengekite@juno.com >
    Subject: RE: History of Fort Gibson-
    Date: Sat, 11 Apr 1998 09:53:42 -0400
    
    JOHN RIDDLE BENGE
    On September 28, 1838 a Wagon Tain left Old Cherokee
    Nation East headed for Indian Territory. This particular wagon, one of
    thirteen (13) was commanded by John Benge, a half breed Cherokee, son of
    Robert Benge and Grandson of "Old Trader" John Benge, a Scot and Wurteh,
    a second wife. On this wagon was Robert H.
    Benge,also a Grandson of Old Trader, and Elizabeth Lewis Benge, his first
    wife who was English and white, his wife Jennie(also called Jane) Lowrey
    Benge ,a Cherokee and their five children, his brother Martin and Eliza
    Lowrey Benge and children, as well as George Lowrey.his wife Lucy Benge
    Lowrey and their children.Lucy was an aunt of Wagonmaster John.
    Robert H. Benge settled in the Old Skin Bayou District of the Cherokee
    Nation and on March 10, 1840 John Riddle Benge was born in Fort Gibson,
    Indian Territory. Riddle, as he was always called
    married Caroline Takey Gordon, daughter of John Gordon and Lucy McPherson
    in 1867. They were the parents of four boys, Robert Lowrey Benge born 7
    September 1868 who married Rebecca Elizabeth Reser, Pickens born 10
    September 1870 who married Versa Belle Wilson , Louie Ross Benge born 29
    August 1879 who married Ella White and Jack Walker Benge, born 26
    December 1880 who married Bessie Larson.
    Riddle was a member of the Indian Police, a Sheriff and also a Deputy U.
    S. Marshall in the 1860s. He gave a part of his allotment land for a
    school,known as the Benge School and also gave land for the Cemetery,
    known as the Citizens Cemetery and also made the stipulation that no one
    was to be charged to be buried there. At a later date the Town of Fort
    Gibson deeded this over to the Cherokee Nation.
    Riddle died on July 7, 1903 and Takey died on March 10,
    1910. Many of his descendants lived there for years and Louie Ross Benge
    still has descendants living in the area. Oleta E. Benge Kite, Great
    Granddaughter P. S. Don - for your info.