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Samuel Benton (abt. 1717-1770) Samuel Benton was native of England (probably Worcester County) and was the first settler of Oxford, NC. He owned a country place called Oxford in the 18th century before the town was established. Benton was appointed Justice of Granville County Court in 1746 and served as sheriff in 1764. He was a member of House of Commons from 1760 to 1768 and served as Clerk of Court of Common pleas and Quarter Sessions from 1764 to 1770. He held a position as Lieutenant colonel of the militia under Governor William Tryon in 1768 during some of the Regulator troubles and served as Registrar of the County from 1761 until his death in 1770. Before 1763, he was responsible for erecting St. George's Chapel in Granville County, NC. Samuel Benton married Frances (Fannie) Kimbrough around 1751 in Craven County, NC and they had seven children. Apparently not the most ethical of men, Benton made an enormous amount of money by unscrupulous practices. He became powerful in local and state politics. Although Benton gave land for new courthouse at Oxford Plantation - part of 1,000 acres he owned - it was said that his motivation was only "to bring grist to his own mill." Benton ran several establishments around the courthouse and wanted more people coming into the area for his own profit. When he died, he left his widow and three sons with a vast estate (money, property and a number of slaves). Samuel Benton was buried on his plantation, "Oxford", in Granville County, NC. Thomas Booth Thomas Booth was appointed by the General Assembly as a member of the board of town commissioners in the act that first incorporated Oxford in 1816. He was again so appointed by the act of 1925 which reincorporated the town. A large owner of Oxford real estate, one of his holdings was the old Kingsbury place at the head of Main St., which he sold to General Joseph H. Bryan, who then sold it to Russell Kingsbury. (from Hays, Oxford Men and Women, Vol. 16, pages 143-145) General Joseph H. Bryan General Joseph H. Bryan was a Justice of the Peace, a state senator and a trustee of Oxford Presbyterian Church. He once owned the old Kingsbury place a the head of Main St., which was cut up into streets and lots and so sold in 1890-91. In 1835, General Bryan sold to George Thomasson and Joseph J. Ridley, the store and lot 40 feet square on the corner of Williamsboro and College St. for $1,125.00. (from Hays, Oxford Men and Women, Vol. 16, pages 143-145) Henry George Cooper, Sr. (1853-1931) Col. Henry G. Cooper, the oldest native-born citizen of Oxford, died at his home on "Horner Hill", Williamsboro St., at the age of 78. He was a wise, generous and public-spirited citizen who managed to be an inspiring and an almost unique force in many fields of public activity. He was consistent and enlightened, and cherished an enthusiasm for constructive education. Col. Cooper was educated at Washington-Lee University, and no cadet ever wore a uniform with more becoming dignity and honor. While there, his patriotism was enkindled and ripened. During the World War he was vice-chairman of the Granville County Minute Speakers. He delivered 23 speeches in the county and on one occasion he remarked that one of his sons was an officer in the United States Navy, and that he was ready to contribute another son at the call of his country. He was chairman of the board of directors of the First National Bank of Granville and has been identified with the banking business in Oxford for more than 50 years. He was chairman of the board of trustees of the Oxford city schools for the past 11 years and presented diplomas to the graduating class at the High School each year while in that position, even just before his passing. |