Biographical Sketch of Benjamin GARRETT, Chester County, PA

Contributed to the PAGenWeb Archives by Robert E. Seeley Seeley1022@aol.com

Copyright 2004.  All Rights Reserved.
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                   Benjamin Garrett, Clockmaker From Goshen, Pa.
                         By Robert E. Seeley , Cousin

Benjamin Garrett born January 9, 1771 in Goshen, Pa. , and is the son of Joseph 
Garrett and Charity Lewis. Benjamin married Debbe Lewis October 16, 1793. Debbe 
is the daughter of Didymus Lewis and Phebe Matlack. Benjamin had four children 
Lydia , Nathan, who married Lydia Cox, Enos , who married Sarah G. Hipple, and 
Debby, who died as an infant. Benjamin had many occupations as, a farmer, 
operated a grist mill, operated a saw mill, a fuller, spun wool, a cabinetmaker, 
and a clockmaker. Benjamin's father Joseph inherited 250 acres of the Garrett 
homestead in Goshen. When Joseph died in 1792 he left Benjamin 38 acres and the 
grist mill. Benjamin and Debbe established their home near the grist mill on the 
west bank of Ridley Creek a quarter mile east of the Goshen Meeting House. 
Benjamin and his family were active in the affairs of the Goshen Meeting House. 
Benjamin had interest in lumber and purchased land in Lycoming County, Pa.Later 
his son Enos engaged in the lumber business in Lycoming County for about 30 
years. Benjamin was decidedly moonminded in his clockmaking. The majority of his 
clocks had a moon wheel mechanism which registers the phases of this satellite. 
Most of his clocks are found in walnut cases made from native lumber. Benjamin's 
clocks were sold to his neighbors, and were past down through many generations. 
The quality of cabinet work and a diversity of design were superior, but he was 
never properly heralded for his grandfather clocks.
After the death of Debbe April 7, 1827, Benjamin married Esther Lewis, daughter 
of Henry and Mary Lewis. Esther died in 1845. Benjamin in the 1850 census is 
living in Willistown with his daughter Lydia and next to his son Nathan. Enos in 
the 1850 census was living in Lycoming County, Pa. in the lumbering business. 
Enos descendants can be found living in Fairfax County, Va. and Washington, DC. 
Benjamin died April 30, 1856 and is buried with family in Goshen Friends Burial 
Grounds. 

Census Records
Benjamin Garrett Clockmaker Booklet
Sharpless Book
Clyde David Garrett Records
Family Records