Benson LECKY came to this country at the beginning of the Revolutionary War.
He entered the Army and served until peace was declared. After the war, he married Mary JOHNSTON whom he had
known and loved in Ireland. She was the daughter of Samuel JOHNSTON who came to this country before the war
and just a short time before Benson came to this country. Both families came from County Antrim, Ireland
where they were neighbors and friends.
Benson LECKY is also listed in "Names of Persons who took the Oath of Allegiance to
the State of Pennsylvania between the years 1776 and 1794." He signed the "Memorial of Inhabitants of
Cumberland County dated June 29th 1778.
Benson LECKY witnessed John ELLIOTT of Pannet, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, sign
his will on October 5, 1781.
The family removed to Martinsburg, Virginia (now West Virginia), where Benson died.
When Mary JOHNSTON lost her husband, Benson, in middle age she removed herself and family to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,
to be near her friends.
Information is from LECKY Family Letter written in 1901 to Miss Letitia S. LECKY by
Mary D. LECKY, daughter of Johnston LECKY, son of William LECKY and grandson of Benson LECKY.
The letter was passed to Letitia's niece, Mary Worley Lecky HINDMAN, and then passed to her son William
Stanley HINDMAN and then to his son Don Alexander HINDMAN. The letter is in the possession of Don Alexander
HINDMAN's children.
Another letter from Anna C. LECKY, contributed by Paul NEESON, great, great, great,
great grandson of Benson LECKY, to her cousin states:
Benson married Mary JOHNSTON on UNKNOWN in probably Pennsylvania. Mary (parents
Samuel (Robert?) JOHNSTON and Mary SPROUL) was born about 1759 in County Antrim, Ireland. She died 08 Apr 1821
in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.
Benson LECKY and Mary JOHNSTON had the following children:
1. Robert LECKY was born ca. 1786 in Martinsburg, Virginia. He died 07 Dec 1828 in
Pennsylvania. Robert LECKY married Ann HENDERSON, then Dorcas ALLEN.
2. William LECKY was born ca. 1782 or 1783 in Martinsburg, Virginia. He died 1855 in
Pennsylvania. William LECKY married Jane HENDERSON.
3. Mary LECKY was born in Martinsburg, Virginia. She died in Unknown. Mary LECKY
married Robert DAVIS.
4. Letitia LECKY was born 06 Jul 1796 in Martinsburg, Virginia. She died 14 Mar 1867
in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Letitia LECKY married John SAMPSON.
5. Hugh LECKY was born ca. 1781 in Martinsburg, Virginia. He died in probably Ohio.
Probably married Leitha LAHEW.
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Benson LECKY (parents Hugh LECKY and Unknown UNKNOWN) was born ca. 1760 in County
Antrim, Ireland. He died before 1821 in Martinsburg, Virginia.
"Robert JOHNSTON, enlisted in the Army of the Revolution with his father and Benson
Lecky. They continued the service to the end of the war. Were captured by the British and imprisoned on a war
ship in the Delaware River. They outlived five messes and were finally exchanged."
Written and submitted by Marion Lynne Hindman.