Benjamin Woodworth

Benjamin Woodworth (December 29, 1782 – January 16, 1874), also known as "Uncle Ben", was a captain in the War of 1812, hotelier, a pioneer of the city of Detroit, and member of the Woodworth political family.

Early life Benjamin was born on December 29, 1782, the son of Benjamin Woodworth, an American Revolution soldier, and Abigail Bryant. He was the brother of Samuel Woodworth. He learned the carpenter trade in Boston during his time in Massachusetts.

Detroit

Woodworth had become friends General William Hull, who had recently moved his family to Massachusetts from Connecticut. Thomas Jefferson had appointed Hull Governor of the Northwest Territory and was in need of skilled workers to take with him, in which Woodworth was one of the carpenters he chose to move to Detroit with him. On June 12, 1805, Woodworth and Hull, along with other workers, arrived in Detroit.

Construction firsts Hull was not satisfied with his living quarters, and sought to build a new governor's mansion. Upon arriving in Detroit in 1805, he found the city in ashes, the result of a devastating fire. He needed to return to Washington to lobby President Jefferson directly for assistance; this also included finding investors to charter the first bank in Detroit. The lore states that Woodworth accompanied him on this trip to meet with the president.

The men returned from their eastern trip on June 7, 1806, and began construction of the first governor's mansion and First Bank of Detroit. Nonetheless, Woodworth helped build the first bank in Michigan and first Governor's Mansion; also the first brick dwelling in Michigan.

Steamboat Hotel U.S. President James Monroe attended a gala at Woodworth's hotel in 1817 After constructing the bank and mansion, Woodworth himself built his own residence at the corner of Randolph and Woodbridge Streets in 1807. He eventually enlarged it to form the "Woodworth Hotel", later known as the "Steamboat Hotel" after another expansion 1818. It was located at a wharf on the Detroit River. He also operated the first stage coach in Michigan. Woodworth donated the services and rooms of the hotel to house American soldiers during and after the War of 1812, hosted a gala ball for President James Monroe in 1817, as well as for patriotic meetings in general.

The hotel contributed to creating the commercial center of Detroit at the time centered around the wharf. It was described by Michigan Pioneer Society President Francis Asbury Dewey "as the best tavern in Michigan...the house was large and commodious, accommodating two hundred or more, and in the summer months was often full of enterprising and intelligent travelers."

Today visitors to Canada pass over the place where the hotel stood as they enter the tunnel to Windsor.

Later years Following the war, Woodworth continued serving as a volunteer Captain of Detroit's artillery company. He would serve as a Vice-Marshal in 1814, and coroner of Wayne County between 1815 and 1836, which the position was considered the Marshal of the county. He would also serve as the Assessor, Supervisor,

In 1820, Woodworth was licensed to operate a ferry between Detroit and Canada. In the Canadian Patriot War of 1837-1838, Woodworth was sympathetic to the patriot side, supporting them financially, and even putting their wounded soldiers up in his hotel.

Michigan death penalty Woodworth played a key role in the abolition of the death penalty in Michigan, after being the hangman in the last execution performed in the state. In 1830 a saloon owner and drunkard, Stephen Simmons, murdered his wife. He was found guilty and sentenced to death. The sheriff of the county resigned rather than carry out the sentence. Woodworth was then appointed sheriff, and delegated the task of constructing the gallows and performing the hanging. The spectacle drew large interest, and brought visitors from all over the region to watch. The governor attended, and before the hatch was released, Simmons made a confession and plea for mercy. The crowd was moved, embarrassed that they had made entertainment out the incident, but the governor refused clemency and Simmons was hanged. In 1846, the state abolished the death penalty, with the Simmons case playing a key role. In doing so, Michigan became the first English-speaking government to ban the death penalty. Woodworth's appointment as sheriff ended soon after the execution, being compensated by the state and relieved the next year following an election in which he did not participate.

Marriage and children Benjamin was remembered as a man who "had a heart full of kindness and a hand ever ready to help the distressed". Benjamin married Rachel Dicks and they had the following children: Ann Maria Woodworth, who married General Simeon B. Brown Frances Elizabeth Woodworth, who married A.J. Cummings Ruth Woodworth, died young Louisa Woodworth, died young Catherine Woodworth, died young Mary Woodworth, died young Benjamin Woodworth, died young Henry Woodworth, died young James Woodworth, died young