Benjamin Durham
There is some confusion about the birthdate of Benjamin Durham. Census records, the grave marker and the death certificate all offer different dates: from 1818 to 1825. Since he inherited Jolly's Neck Farm , we can assume he was the son of Handsor Durham and his wife, Margaret Concilor.

Sometime around 1848, he married Sally Ann Hansor, herself a descendant of the original owner of Jolly's Neck Farm. It is believed that he brought with him to this marriage a young daughter named Margaret, the product of a previous marriage, but I have no informtion about his first wife.

In 1850 Benjamin and Sally Ann appear in the Dover Hundred, Kent Co. federal census records with Margaret (b.c. 1844) and a son, Daniel (b.c. 1849). Benjamin's age is listed as 27 which would place his birthdate around 1823. Although living on Jolly's Neck Farm, Benjamin's occupation is listed as "laborer". Living next door are William and Mahala Durham. William's birthdate is listed as c.1818 so it is possible that he was a brother although the 1820 census records showed Handsor and Margaret with no children in 1820.
In 1860, Benjamin is still listed as a "laborer". Jolly's Neck Farm had been reduced in size in the years following William Hansors death. As the family fortunes declined, they were forced to sell off more and more property until only a few acres remained.

In 1863 Benjamin and Sally Ann sold off the last of the farm. The small wooden framed house in which they lived still stands near the railroad tracks along Rt.100 although it is currently in ruins.


photo of the house once owned
by Benjamin & Sally Ann
By 1870 Benjamin's occupation was listed as "farmer". It is not known where the family moved after selling off Jolly's Neck Farm.

The known children of Benjamin Durham :

  1. Margaret Durham (b.c. 1844 in New Castle Co.DE) married
    #1 ? Burton
    #2 Isaac Northan
  2. Daniel Durham (1849-1931) married Caroline Carney
  3. Annie Durham (1855-1912) married John Durhan
  4. John M. Durham (1856-1933?) married Elmira Morgan
  5. Harriett Durham (1858- d. before 1880)
  6. Enoch Durham (1858-1921) married Margaret Munce and Lola Miller
  7. Jeremiah Durham (1862-1936) married Lydia Munce
  8. Henrietta Durham (1865-1934) married Napoleon B. Morgan
  9. Amanda Durham (August 1867-1940) married
    #1 Mitchell Sammons
    #2 Coursey Sammons
    #3 Charles Johnson
  10. Henry Durham ( 1869-1870)
  11. Clement Durham (1872-1947) married Rebecca Munce
  12. Mariah "Minnie" Durham (1873-1921 ) married Shadrick "Sherry" Carney (1870-1933)
  13. Harvey Durham (18 March 1876- ) married Lola Durham

On 1 September, 1888, Benjamin Durham died. His death certificate lists his age as "71" (born in 1817??), his race as "black", his occupation as "farmer", the cause of death as "Gen'l Debility". His will was proved on 3 October, 1888.

He was buried behind the small church at Fork Branch Church which was built on land that was originally a part of Jolly's Neck Farm. His grave marker lists his age at death as "74" further confusing the matter. The marker also records "Mark the perfect man and the upright for the end of that man is peace". His wife Sally Ann died on 11 November, 1905 and is buried next to him.