Benjamin Ferris facts for kids

Benjamin Ferris (born August 7, 1780 – died November 9, 1867) was a talented watchmaker and a dedicated historian. He lived in Wilmington, Delaware.

Benjamin Ferris was born in Wilmington, Delaware. His family had a long history in the area. His ancestors were among the first people to settle in Wilmington back in 1748.

Early Life and Family

When Benjamin was 14, he moved to Philadelphia. There, he learned the skill of watchmaking. This was a very important job at the time.

In 1804, Benjamin married Fanny Canby. They moved back to Wilmington in 1813. He later became the city surveyor in 1820. Benjamin and Fanny had many children together. After Fanny passed away, Benjamin married her cousin, Hannah Gibbons, in 1835.

Helping Others

Benjamin Ferris was a member of the Religious Society of Friends, also known as Quakers. Quakers believe in following an "inner light" for guidance.

Supporting Native Americans

In 1839, Benjamin Ferris joined a special committee. This group was formed by Quaker meetings in New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore. Their job was to look into problems faced by the Seneca Indians. The Seneca people were being treated unfairly.

Benjamin Ferris worked hard to help them. He suggested a treaty to protect their land. Even though the government did not fully approve his treaty, he managed to make a deal. This deal helped the Seneca people get about half of their land back. This was a big success for him and for the Seneca community.

A Passion for History

Benjamin Ferris loved learning about the past. He spent many years researching the history of Wilmington. He even learned the Swedish language! He did this so he could read old records from the Old Swedes Church. These records were written in Swedish.

In 1846, he published an important book. It was called A History of the Original Settlements on the Delaware: From its Discovery by Hudson to the Colonization under William Penn. This book shared the early history of the Delaware region.