Benajah Osmun

Benajah Osmun (died in June 1815, Natchez, Adams County, Mississippi) was an original member of the Society of the Cincinnati.

Military service Originally from Hunterdon County, New Jersey, during the Revolutionary War, Benajah Osmun fought at the Battle of Quebec on December 31, 1775, led by General Richard Montgomery. He fought at the Battle of Long Island on August 27, 1776, and he was taken prisoner there. Osmun served as 2nd Lieutenant and Quartermaster in the 2nd Battalion, 2nd New Jersey Regiment under Colonel Israel Shreve beginning on January 1, 1777. After resigning from the previous post, Osmun was made again 2nd Lieutenant on September 12, 1778, and was taken prisoner at Charleston on April 25, 1780. He was made Lieutenant on January 1, 1781 and Captain by brevet. As Lieutenant Colonel he was present at the court-martial of Mississippi militia Maj. John F. Carmichael in 1806.

Personal life

In 1790, Osmun moved to Natchez, Mississippi, accompanying the Forman Family Colony that was founded by Ezekiel Forman, father of General Thomas Marsh Forman and brother of General David Forman. Prior to that, Osmun was the overseer of the plantation of General David Forman.

Osmun built and lived at Windy Hill Manor at the foot of Half Way Hill near Natchez, Mississippi. When Aaron Burr went under trial in 1807 on a charge of treason, Osmun was one of his bondsmen. With Lyman Harding, they paid $10,000 for the bond.

Death Benajah Osmun died in June 1815, in Natchez, Mississippi, unmarried, and was buried on the plantation.