Individual Details
Harriet May Smith
(16 Jan 1807 - 19 Apr 1880)
Harriett (May) Benight is the daughter of Samuel (1772-between 1830-1850) and Polly Lamphere or Lanfear (1770- before 1816) May.
Harriet was born in Ontario Co., NY. At the age of nine years she emigrated to Indiana with her father, Samuel May and located in Vigo County, Indiana. She married at the age of 20 years to Guy R. Benight. They removed in 1853 to Black Hawk Co., IA, being among the first settlers of Waterloo, IA. In 1864 her husband died, and since that time she has been the most of the time with her children in different parts of Iowa. She has been a member of the M.E. church about 48 years; always a consistent Christian and many a weary preacher has found shelter under her friendly roof in the early days of Methodism in Indiana and Iowa. Her family and brother Samuel May's family constituted the greater part of the first class that was formed in Waterloo in Mr. May's house.
She was sick and confined to her bed but eight days and those were days of intense suffering but she did not complain and died without a struggle. She died at the home of her son-in-law, H.M. Wood near Corning, Iowa. Her remains were taken to Waterloo and buried by the side of her husband.
obituary from the Corning, Iowa newspaper written by R. Randolph, Methodist minister on the Brooks charge
Iowa State Reporter, April 24, 1880
BENIGHT. On the 19th inst., at the residence of her daughter Mrs. H.M. Wood, in Adams county, this State, Mrs. Harriet Benight, widow of Mr. Guy R. Benight, formerly of this city, who died in 1864.
The subject of this notice was born in Ontario, N.Y., in 1807, was hence, at her death 73 years of age. Several children, two sons and five daughters, are left to mourn the loss of the departed mother and father. Mrs. Benight's sickness, bilious fever, was of only one week's duration.
Mrs. A.E. Ballou and Mrs. Harvey Smith, of our city, daughters of the deceased, visited her during her sickness, remained until her death and true to their mother's oft repeated request, brought her home with them to bury beside her husband in one of the cemeteries of our city. The deceased became a Christian early in life, joined the M.E. church and through life maintained her profession. She was conscious to the last and died in good hope of the better life.
Funeral services were held in Adams, and on the 22nd brief services again at the house of Mr. Ballou, conducted by Rev. O.E. Baker.
Harriet was born in Ontario Co., NY. At the age of nine years she emigrated to Indiana with her father, Samuel May and located in Vigo County, Indiana. She married at the age of 20 years to Guy R. Benight. They removed in 1853 to Black Hawk Co., IA, being among the first settlers of Waterloo, IA. In 1864 her husband died, and since that time she has been the most of the time with her children in different parts of Iowa. She has been a member of the M.E. church about 48 years; always a consistent Christian and many a weary preacher has found shelter under her friendly roof in the early days of Methodism in Indiana and Iowa. Her family and brother Samuel May's family constituted the greater part of the first class that was formed in Waterloo in Mr. May's house.
She was sick and confined to her bed but eight days and those were days of intense suffering but she did not complain and died without a struggle. She died at the home of her son-in-law, H.M. Wood near Corning, Iowa. Her remains were taken to Waterloo and buried by the side of her husband.
obituary from the Corning, Iowa newspaper written by R. Randolph, Methodist minister on the Brooks charge
Iowa State Reporter, April 24, 1880
BENIGHT. On the 19th inst., at the residence of her daughter Mrs. H.M. Wood, in Adams county, this State, Mrs. Harriet Benight, widow of Mr. Guy R. Benight, formerly of this city, who died in 1864.
The subject of this notice was born in Ontario, N.Y., in 1807, was hence, at her death 73 years of age. Several children, two sons and five daughters, are left to mourn the loss of the departed mother and father. Mrs. Benight's sickness, bilious fever, was of only one week's duration.
Mrs. A.E. Ballou and Mrs. Harvey Smith, of our city, daughters of the deceased, visited her during her sickness, remained until her death and true to their mother's oft repeated request, brought her home with them to bury beside her husband in one of the cemeteries of our city. The deceased became a Christian early in life, joined the M.E. church and through life maintained her profession. She was conscious to the last and died in good hope of the better life.
Funeral services were held in Adams, and on the 22nd brief services again at the house of Mr. Ballou, conducted by Rev. O.E. Baker.
Events
| Birth | 16 Jan 1807 | Ontario County, New York | |||
| Marriage | 3 Mar 1827 | Vigo County, Indiana - Guy Ross Benight | |||
| Death | 19 Apr 1880 | Corning, Adams County, Iowa | |||
| Burial | Waterloo Cemetery, Black Hawk County, Iowa |  |
Families
| Spouse | Guy Ross Benight (1805 - 1864) |
| Child | Hancey May Benight (1834 - 1920) |
Endnotes
1. Find A Grave Memorial# 55175853.