Benjamin F. Fletcher was my paternal 3x great grandfather. Benjamin was born to Joel and Abigail (Maynard) Fletcher on 7 July 1799 in Westford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.

It was reported in the Boston Recorder under Marriages in Lowell 6 August 1829, Mr. Benjamin F. Fletcher to Mary-Ann Brown.

In the 1830 US Census I was unable to find Benjamin and Mary Ann in Westford, Lowell, or Cambridge Massachusetts. At this time Benjamin’s father Joel Fletcher has moved to Landaff, New Hampshire. In a search of the census in Landaff Joel is the only Fletcher family in the area. In Joel’s household there is no male in the 20-30 age group and the children in the household match other children in the family.

They could be living with Mary Ann’s family the Browns. Benjamin and Mary Ann (Brown) have their first child Mary Ann on 14 February 1830. There are several Browns in Lowell and in Cambridge but unable to determine one that might be Mary Ann’s family. At this time I do not have Mary Ann’s fathers name.

In 1940 Benjamin and family are found in Cambridge Mass. (Click on images to enlarge).

In 1850 Benjamin (45) was in Cambridge, Mass, he is shown as a carpenter. Mary Ann (20), Benjamin (17), Alfred (5) and James (3) Mary Ann Putnam (45) and Mary E. Putnam(3). Here the mother and daughter ages are mixed up.

In 1860 the family is not in Cambridge or in Lexington Mass. But by 1870 we find Benjamin (67) living in Lexington, Massachusetts, listed as a carpenter but his birth place is shown as Vermont.  The rest of the family listed are Mary Ann(63), Wm Alfred (28), Julia M. (28), Marritta (5) and Wm. F. (3) and Freddie B. (7 months).

In  the history of Lexington we found an entry for William Alfred Fletcher, born in Cambridge  10 April 1842, son of Benjamin Franklin and Grandson of Joel and Abigail Maynard. His Mother Mary Ann Brown born in Rockport 14 May 1809. Wm. Alfred married at Quincy 27 July 1864 Julia Maria Small born in Quincy 12 September 1842  daughter of Warren Elbridge and Abigail Francis (Mayo) Small.

Benjamin and his wife Mary Ann traveled out to California from Massachusetts some time between 1870 and 1877 remaining there until his death . At 67-74 years of age moving clear across country had to be a daunting experience for these two.

In the 1877 we find Mary Ann (Brown) Fletcher has died on 29 September and is buried in Clements, California.

In 1879 Benjamin Franklin Fletcher (75) married Anna Y. Hurd (68) in Stockton California 15 December. It states he is a native of Massachusetts and a resident of Lockeford in San Joaquin county, California.

Anna and Benjamin are enumerated in the 1880 US Census in Clements, California.

In the 1884-85 City directory for Clements, California we see Fletcher, Benjamin F., carpenter.

Benjamin F. Fletcher died 15 September 1887. He is buried at the Clements cemetery.