Armitage, B

Armitage, B

 

Benjamin Armitage is presented in GAWP5 with the dates (1698-1781) as an active plane maker in Philadelphia between the years 1760 and 1772.

 

Based on the 1772 ad with the mention of an apprenticeship to Samuel Caruthers, this individual may not be the craftsman cited by GAWP5, rather another generation?? (The above Benjamin's son was a blacksmith ... what about his grandson Benjamin or the below, Caleb's son Benjamin?)

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Here are some updated notes and findings (8-21-2025);

Benjamin Armitage (1), ca 1660 - 1735, Frankford, PA, 1701, blacksmith.

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Benjamin Armitage (2), 1698 - 1781, Bristol, PA, m Elizabeth (d 1728), m Jane (d 1761), yeoman and Inn keeper in deeds 1743, 1758, 1779. In 1723 Benjamin was listed as a joyner in Bristol. In 1773, James Worrell, Philadelphia Carpenter's Co., assigned Joseph Armitage's apprenticeship to his father Benjamin. His inventory included blacksmith, carpenter and joyner tools. (Alan Bates, 1996)

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​Benjamin Armitage (3), 1721-1789, Philadelphia, blacksmith and merchant, m Mary in 1746, she d 1791.

Three of Benjamin and Mary's six children are known .... Abraham, Shubert and Mary. Might there have been a Benjamin? In 1812, as part of the settling of Benjamin (2)'s estate, Caleb (mentioned below) signs off on 14A, part of the Benjamin (3)'s inheritance, to Shubert and Mary who were the only heirs of Benjamin (3) still alive. 

 

The above Benjamin's, (1) through (3), are three generations.

 

Benjamin (2) had at least five other sons .... James, Caleb, Isaac, Abraham and Enoch. James had a son Benjamin (1755 - 1828) and they were both joiners in Franklin, PA in 1800. While this Benjamin was born in Philadelphia, his birth date is thought to be 1755, which would make him too young to be the plane maker. (An alternate, unsubstantiated birth date of 1746 has also been noted however.) It should be noted that "Jr" may not be limited to only a son and father, it can also be used to differentiate between a "younger" and an "elder". Caleb also has a son Benjamin, a millwright, but he was born no earlier than 1756. Isaac and Abraham died by 1749.

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James Armitage was a house carpenter in the Philadelphia Carpenter's Co. in 1765 while Samuel Caruthers joined the Company in 1771. Certainly, they knew each other.

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