I have started a blog at http://firelands.wordpress.com to tell the history of Platt and Sally Benedict of Danbury Connecticut, who founded the town of Norwalk, Ohio in 1817 during the settlement of the Firelands or “Sufferer’s Land, a part of the Western Reserve that was given to “Sufferer’s” who were burned out of their homes by the British during the Revolution.

Platt Benedict was a direct descendent of Thomas and Mary Brigdam Benedict who came to America in 1638. In 1858, he founded the Firelands Historical Society and was its chair until his death in 1866. The society has published a journal since its founding, which is a rich source of information about the Benedict families role in the settlement of the region. I used this journal and family documents in my possession in writing Platt and Sally’s history.

I will post an episode of this history on my blog every Monday for the next twelve months. My fondest wish is that people interested in the history of the Benedict family will be entertained and informed by these postings, and fill in gaps and correct inaccuracies in my research.

Thank you for your kind attention. I hope you visit my blog and enjoy my story of the Benedict families role in the settling the “Sufferer’s Land”.