Benjamin Wait

     Benjamin Wait was born in 1644 at Portsmouth, Newport Co, Rhode Island.¹ He was the son of Thomas Wait and Eleanor (?). Benjamin Wait married Martha Leonard on 8 June 1670 at Hatfield, Hampshire Co, Massachusetts.¹ Benjamin Wait died on 29 February 1704 at Deerfield, Franklin Co, Massachusetts.¹ He was buried at Deerfield Cemetery, Deerfield, Franklin Co, Massachusetts.¹
     Benjamin Wait and his family lived at Hadley, Hatfield and Deerfield in Massachusetts. In 1676 and 1677 the Indian population and white settlers entered into many squirmishs. Many were lost on both sides. One date to be remembered by this family was September 19, 1677 on which the Indians took 17 settlers captive - among them Martha, Benjamin's wife, and their three daughters, Mary, 6, Martha, 4, and Sarah, then aged 2. Many sources document the search Benjamin made for his family. He and other searchers reached Quebec in mid January. Martha Leonard Wait gave birth to a daughter on January 22nd and she was named Canada Wait. The searchers paid $200 for the release of the captives, but the weather was so terrible they did not reach Albany, New York until May 22nd. Benjamin Wait brought his family home, rebuilt his house and reared a large family.
Benjamin was one of the first proprietors of Hatfield, Massachusetts and took the Oath of Allegiance before Major Pyncheon. In 1670 he was fined 44 pounds for selling liquor to the Indians.