Benjamin Hanks
| Benjamin Hanks | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Born |
Benjamin Hanks October 29, 1755 Mansfield, Connecticut, USA |
| Died | December 15, 1824 (aged 69) |
| Residence | Litchfield, Connecticut, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Goldsmith, brazier, military drummer |
| Employer | Foundry owner |
| Known for |
Making large church bells, silversmith / goldsmith, bronze cannon maker instrument maker; took part in the Lexington Alarm triggered by Paul Revere's "Midnight Ride" |
| Title | Colonel |
| Spouse(s) | Alice Hovey |
| Children | Truman, Horatio, and Julius Hanks |
| Parent(s) | Uriah and Irene (Case) Hanks |
| Relatives | Brother, Rodney Hanks (1782-1846), and eight other siblings |
Benjamin Hanks is generally accepted to be the first person to make bronze cannons and church bells in the United States. He was a goldsmith, instrument maker, clockmaker, bellfounder, and foundry owner.
According to historian Susan Whitney Dimock's 1898 book "Births, Baptisms, Marriages, and Deaths: From the Records of the Town and Churches in Mansfield, Connecticut, 1703-1850" Benjamin Hanks was born 29 October 1755 in Mansfield, Connecticut. The vital records of the Town of Mansfield, however, states he was born on December 15, 1755. Hanks' parents, Uriah and Irene (Case) Hanks, were married March 20, 1755. Hanks had nine siblings, all of whom were younger. Hanks lived at home until he was seventeen years old, when in 1772 he was apprenticed to Thomas Harland, a well-known clockmaker in Norwich, Connecticut, until Hanks established a clock business in the city.
Hanks was a military drummer in the American Revolutionary War and took part in the Lexington Alarm triggered by Paul Revere's "Midnight Ride" of which he served about a month then. Later Hanks re-enlisted and served in the Third Regiment under Israel Putnam from mid May through mid December 1775. He rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, commandant of the fifth regiment of militia in Connecticut.
Hanks married Alice Hovey around 1775 to 1777 in Windham, Connecticut. In 1780 they moved to Litchfield, Connecticut and built a house from which he ran his home business as a goldsmith / silversmith, maker of instruments, clocks, looms, and compasses.
In 1786 Hanks established a foundry just south of the Court House in Litchfield and ran a "Brazier's business". He was famous for making church bells at this foundry. He ran his businesses out of his home until 1790 when he moved to Mansfield, Connecticut, where he continued his businesses.
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Wikipedia