Benjamin Samis (1779-1861)
Northumberland County, Ontario, Canada → Burlington, Kane County, Illinois
Ontario farmer who migrated at age 65 to purchase federal land in Kane County, Illinois.
Quick Facts
- Born: 27 June 1779, Huntington, Long Island, New York
- Died: 11 April 1861, Burlington, Kane County, Illinois
- Spouse: Mary
- Occupation: Farmer
- Illinois Settlement: Burlington, Kane County
Connection to Author: 4th great-grandfather (Davis line)
Wicklow Baptist Church in Ontario where the Samis family attended.
Early Life
Benjamin was born in Huntington, Long Island, New York where his family had lived since 1665. In the early 1800’s he moved to Upper Canada (Ontario) with his father, who had received a Crown land grant for his service as a Loyalist in the Revolutionary War.
Benjamin married Mary (last name unknown) around 1804 and together they had nine children.
The family lived in various locations in Ontario, lastly in Northumberland County. Shortly after Mary died in 1844, Benjamin left with one of his sons, Valentine, and one daughter, Mary, for Illinois.
Why He Left
Although records aren’t clear, it appears that Benjamin had a very small farm in Ontario, possibly 50 acres.
When Kane County opened for settlement in 1836, Benjamin must have heard about the inexpensive federal land available to settlers.
The opportunity to begin a substantial farm must have been appealing to Benjamin, possibly as a foundation for his children.
Journey to Illinois
The migration path from Ontario to Illinois was established by 1845. Benjamin Samis likely left his Ontario farm by wagon for a Lake Ontario port, boarded a steamer west through the Welland Canal and the Great Lakes to Chicago, and then completed the final sixty miles overland to Burlington—an arduous journey for a 65-year-old widower.
Building a Life in Illinois
In 1845, Benjamin purchased 160 acres for $1,000, followed by an additional 40 acres in 1846.
Benjam’s son, Peter, and his family migrated to Illinois by 1850 and lived on a neighboring farm.
In In 1856, Benjamin married Adah Sawyer. During this time, another daughter, Sabrina Samis Calkins, moved to Burlington with her husband and family.
The 1860 census shows Benjamin, then eighty-one, with real estate valued at $3,500. He lived with Adah and Valentine, while Peter farmed adjacent land and Benjamin’s daughter, Sabrina Calkins, lived with her family between the two properties. Together, these farms formed a compact, multigenerational settlement.
Benjamin died on 11 April 1861 on his farm in Burlington having given his children opportunities for farming that wouldn’t have been possible in Ontario.
Migration Timeline
This timeline shows the migration path to Illinois of Benjamin Sammis’ ancestors.
| Name | Date | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richard Sammis (1621-1648) | 1640 | Dorchester, Dorset, England | Windsor, Hartfield, Connecticut |
| John Sammis (1643-1693) | Abt. 1665 | Windsor, Hartfield, Connecticut | Huntington, Suffolk, Long Island, New York |
| Ebenezer Sammis (1744-1814) | Abt. 1802 | Huntington, Suffolk, Long Island, New York | Hamilton Twp., Northumberland, Ontario, Canada |
| Benjamin Sammis (1779-1861) | 1845 | Hamilton Twp., Northumberland, Ontario, Canada | Burlington, Kane, Illinois |
Why This Story Matters
Benjamin Samis shows that it is never too late to begin again. At age 65, Benjamin left Ontario to purchase federal land in Kane County. With his family, he cleared the prairie and developed a prosperous farm.
Source Documents
The research documents for the Samis 1845 migration story:
- Biographical Sketch (PDF)
- Migration to Illinois (PDF)
- Genealogical Summary and Children (PDF)
- Legacy (PDF)
Related Reading
- The Ancestor Who Chose the Other Side (blog post)
- Samis Migration Story
- Paths to Illinois, Volume II The Davis Family Story
- Migration Timeline of all sixteen families
- Ancestors & Surnames index
My Blog and Newsletter have additional stories and research related to the Samis family.
