BENJAMIN F.6 MAXFIELD (probably Obadiah5, David4, Eliphalet3, Nathaniel2, John1) was born at Vermont about 1818-9.[1] He died at Canton, Saint Lawrence County, New York, on 10 February 1892.[2] He married before 1850 (census) ELIZABETH R. ________. She was born at New York about 1822-3[3] and died at Colton, Saint Lawrence County before 27 November 1874 (probate).
Based on his place of birth and location of residence he is most likely a descendant of David Maxfield of Fairfax, Vermont, either a grandson, or a great-grandson through David's eldest son. If we review the ages and sexes of children of the possible fathers in the 1820 and 1830 censuses, the most likely parents are Obadiah and Eunice Maxfield. However the census records are sketchy and he could be a child of Levi or Moses. In an 1891 census of persons on welfare in New York, Benjamin reported having five brothers and two sisters. This would fit the family of Obadiah, although most had died by that time. Because Levi Maxfield has not been found in census records after 1810, he cannot be ruled out as a possible parent
This family was reported in the Town of Colton, Saint Lawrence County, New York, in the 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880 censuses. Benjamin was a farmer. The 1850 census reported:[4]
| Line | Name | Age | Sex | Occupation | R.E. | Birthplace | Other |
| 11 | Benj F Maxfield | 31 | M | farmer | $200 | VT | |
| 12 | Elizabeth Maxfield | 27 | F | NY |
In 1860 the family had grown to include Clarence, age 7.[5] The 1870 Census reported the family at the South Colton Post Office, consisting of Benjamin F., 52, Elizabeth, 47, and Clarence, 17.[6]
Elizabeth Maxfield died some time before 27 November 1874, when Benjamin was appointed administrator of her estate.[7] The 1880 Census reported Benjamin and Clarence Maxfield, father and son, ages 63 and 22, farming together at Colton.[8]
An 1891 New York Census of Poor Houses reported Ben Maxfield had been admitted to the Saint Lawrence County Poor House at Canton on 22 December 1891:[9]
The 1900 Census reported Clarence Maxfield, 46, at the Saint Lswrence County Poor house in Canton.[10]
Benjamin Maxfield and his wife Elizabeth had the following child:
1Seventh Census of the United States: 1850, population, Colton, Saint Lawrence County, New York, p. 68B, household 65, Benj. F. Maxfield family; digital images, Ancestry (ancestry.com : accessed 17 October 2012); NARA microfilm record group M432, Record Group 29; National Archives, Washington, D.C.
2New York Department of Health, Albany, New York, "New York, Death Index, 1852-1956," database, Ancestry (ancestry.com : accessed 13 September 2018), Benjamin Maxfield, no. 9572.
31850 Census, Colton, Saint Lawrence County, New York, p. 68B, household 65, Benj. F. Maxfield family.
41850 Census, Colton, Saint Lawrence County, New York, p. 68B, household 65, Benj. F. Maxfield family.
5Eighth Census of the United States: 1860, population, Colton, Saint Lawrence County, New York, p. 448, household 101, B. F. Maxfield family; digital images, Ancestry (ancestry.com : accessed 12 November 2012); NARA microfilm record group M653; Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration.
6Ninth Census of the United States: 1870, population, Colton, Saint Lawrence County, New York, p. 135B, household 158, Benj. F. Maxfield; digital images, Ancestry (ancestry.com : accessed 8 February 2013); NARA microfilm record group M593; Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration.
7Saint Lawrence County, New York, Probate Records, 12:206-207 214; "Wills," digital images, Family Search (familysearch.org: accessed 11 January 2012).
8Tenth Census of the United States: 1880, population, Colton, Saint Lawrence County, New York, enumeration district (ED) 189, p. 19C, household 107, Benjamin Maxfield family; digital images, Ancestry (ancestry.com : accessed 16 March 2013); NARA microfilm publication T9, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.
9New York State Board of Charities, "Census of Inmates in Almshouses and Poorhouses, 1835–1921," digital images, Ancestry (ancestry.com : accessed 13 October 2011), 1891, Saint Lawrence County: Ben Maxfield.
10Twelth Census of the United States: 1900, population, Canton, Saint Lawrence County, New York, enumeration district (ED) 78, p. 20A, household 496, Saint Lawsrence Countty Poor House; digital images, Ancestry (ancestry.com : accessed 9 October 2013); NARA microfilm group T623; Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration.
111860 Census, Colton, Saint Lawrence County, New York, p. 448, household 101, B. F. Maxfield family.
12"New York, Death Index, 1852-1956," Clarence Maxfield, no. 42392.
New York Department of Health, Albany, New York. "New York, Death Index, 1852-1956." Database. Ancestry. ancestry.com : 2018.
New York State Board of Charities. "Census of Inmates in Almshouses and Poorhouses, 1835–1921." Digital images. Ancestry. ancestry.com : 2011.
Saint Lawrence County, New York. Probate Records. "Wills." Digital images. Family Search. familysearch.org: 2012.
United States Department of the Census. Seventh Census of the United States: 1850, population. Digital images. Ancestry. ancestry.com : 2012.
________. Eighth Census of the United States: 1860, population. Digital images. Ancestry. ancestry.com : 2012.
_______. Ninth Census of the United States: 1870, population. Digital images. Ancestry. ancestry.com : 2013.
________. Tenth Census of the United States: 1880, population. Digital images. Ancestry. ancestry.com : 2013.
________. Twelth Census of the United States: 1900, population. Digital images. Ancestry. ancestry.com : 2013.
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