Benjamin Hastings Oak

1776–1842 · Male · died at 66

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A “family recollection” label marks something a relative remembered, not a written record.
A military-service label rates the record of that service, not the whole life.

Sex is as recorded in the family tree. Age at death is worked out from the dates shown and may be a range or an approximation. It is left out when a date is missing or is only a “before”, “after” or “between” date, when the research has found a date Unconfirmed, when the two dates conflict, or when they would mean an age over 110.

Overview

Susanna Hastings1748/49–1801Mother Nathaniel Oak1751-1840Father

Benjamin Hastings Oak1776–1842Hannah SmithWife

Henry Laurens Oak1811–1893Son Susanna Hastings Oak1808–1896Daughter Lyndon Oak1816–1902Son Lorenzo Oakc. 1818–1875Son Genett Oak1810–1810Daughter Edson Lang Oak1822–1892Son and 4 more

Explore this person's tree: ancestors Descendants

Service

Peacetime service · Army · 1799 Likely

Musician in the U.S. Army for "a year or two," in 1799 in the Second Regiment of Artillerists and Engineers at New London, Connecticut (1906 register; the 1903 family sketch calls it the Second Regiment of Heavy Artillery). No enlistment record found yet.

In the story: The long war · Veterans of the family

Stories and biography

About Benjamin

Benjamin Hastings Oak: Chelsea, Boscawen and Garland

Mentioned in another story

This story is about someone or something else, and names Benjamin Hastings Oak.

The Oak men who served, from Marlborough's garrisons to the Cold War

Family

Parents

Mother: Susanna Hastings 1748/49–1801
Likely evidence: show why
Why: The 1906 family register, p. 32, enters Benjamin Hastings (no. 70) first among the 'Children of Nathaniel (20) and Susanna Hastings'; the 1903 sketch, p. 194, says the same. Both are family-compiled; no record of his birth names his parents.
Records:
- H. L. Oak (comp.), Oak-Oaks-Oakes Family Register (Los Angeles, 1906), pp. 32-33, no. 70. p. 32: 'IV. CHILDREN OF NATHANIEL (20) AND SUSANNA HASTINGS. 70. Benjamin Hastings. Garland, Me.; hotel-keeper and farmer; born Winchester N. H., March 3, 1776; married Chelsea, Vt., December 23, 1804; died April 26, 1842.' (record page · view at Internet Archive (public-domain 1906 scan; page images on americanacorns.com, PDF pages 40-41))
- "The Oaks of Garland," in Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens of the State of Maine (Boston, 1903), p. 194. p. 194: Benjamin Hastings Oak, proprietor of a hotel in Boscawen, N.H., from 1812 until 1826; 'On December 23, 1804, at Chelsea, Vt., he married Hannah Smith'; 'The children of Benjamin Hastings and Hannah (Smith) Oak were: ... Lyndon ... Oak'. (view at Internet Archive, biographicalsket00newe (page image saved in acorns-private/sources/biographical-sketches-maine-1903/leaf_n442.jpg))
Review: assessed 10-14-2026; evidence: Image examined.
Earlier: Unconfirmed (10-14-2026, imported tree): From the imported family tree; no source was attached. · Unconfirmed (10-05-2026, imported tree): From the imported family tree; not yet reviewed.
What the labels mean
Father: Nathaniel Oak 1751-1840
Likely evidence: show why
Why: The 1906 family register, p. 32, enters Benjamin Hastings (no. 70) first among the 'Children of Nathaniel (20) and Susanna Hastings'; the 1903 sketch, p. 194, says the same. Both are family-compiled; no record of his birth names his parents.
Records:
- H. L. Oak (comp.), Oak-Oaks-Oakes Family Register (Los Angeles, 1906), pp. 32-33, no. 70. p. 32: 'IV. CHILDREN OF NATHANIEL (20) AND SUSANNA HASTINGS. 70. Benjamin Hastings. Garland, Me.; hotel-keeper and farmer; born Winchester N. H., March 3, 1776; married Chelsea, Vt., December 23, 1804; died April 26, 1842.' (record page · view at Internet Archive (public-domain 1906 scan; page images on americanacorns.com, PDF pages 40-41))
- "The Oaks of Garland," in Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens of the State of Maine (Boston, 1903), p. 194. p. 194: Benjamin Hastings Oak, proprietor of a hotel in Boscawen, N.H., from 1812 until 1826; 'On December 23, 1804, at Chelsea, Vt., he married Hannah Smith'; 'The children of Benjamin Hastings and Hannah (Smith) Oak were: ... Lyndon ... Oak'. (view at Internet Archive, biographicalsket00newe (page image saved in acorns-private/sources/biographical-sketches-maine-1903/leaf_n442.jpg))
Review: assessed 10-14-2026; evidence: Image examined.
Earlier: Unconfirmed (10-14-2026, imported tree): From the imported family tree; no source was attached. · Unconfirmed (09-24-2026, imported tree): From the imported family tree; not yet reviewed.
What the labels mean

Wife: Hannah Smith
Likely evidence: show why
Why: FamilySearch's index of Chelsea's town records (index lines only) enters the marriage of Benjamin H. Oak and Hannah Smith on 23 December 1804 and the births of their children there.
Records:
FamilySearch index of Chelsea, Vermont vital records: marriage of Benjamin H. Oak and Hannah Smith, 23 December 1804; births and early deaths of their children there (William S., 1805-1806; Susannah Hastings Oak, born 26 May 1808; Genett, 22 Jan-28 Apr 1810). Index lines only; the cards were not opened
Review: assessed 10-03-2026; evidence: Published transcription or compiled genealogy examined.
What the labels mean

Son: Henry Laurens Oak 1811–1893
Unconfirmed evidence: show why
Why: From the imported family tree; not yet reviewed.
Review: not yet reviewed.
What the labels mean
Daughter: Susanna Hastings Oak 1808–1896
Unconfirmed evidence: show why
Why: From the imported family tree; not yet reviewed.
Review: not yet reviewed.
What the labels mean
Son: Lyndon Oak 1816–1902
Likely evidence: show why
Why: The 1903 sketch, p. 194, names Lyndon among 'the children of Benjamin Hastings and Hannah (Smith) Oak'; it is a family-compiled sketch, and no record of his birth names his parents.
Records:
- "The Oaks of Garland," in Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens of the State of Maine (Boston, 1903), p. 194. p. 194: Benjamin Hastings Oak, proprietor of a hotel in Boscawen, N.H., from 1812 until 1826; 'On December 23, 1804, at Chelsea, Vt., he married Hannah Smith'; 'The children of Benjamin Hastings and Hannah (Smith) Oak were: ... Lyndon ... Oak'. (view at Internet Archive, biographicalsket00newe (page image saved in acorns-private/sources/biographical-sketches-maine-1903/leaf_n442.jpg))
Review: assessed 10-14-2026; evidence: Image examined.
Earlier: Unconfirmed (10-14-2026, imported tree): From the imported family tree; no source was attached. · Unconfirmed (10-05-2026, imported tree): From the imported family tree; not yet reviewed.
What the labels mean
Son: Lorenzo Oak c. 1818–1875
Unconfirmed evidence: show why
Why: From the imported family tree; not yet reviewed.
Review: not yet reviewed.
What the labels mean
Daughter: Genett Oak 1810–1810
Unconfirmed evidence: show why
Why: From the imported family tree; not yet reviewed.
Review: not yet reviewed.
What the labels mean
Son: Edson Lang Oak 1822–1892
Unconfirmed evidence: show why
Why: From the imported family tree; not yet reviewed.
Review: not yet reviewed.
What the labels mean
Son: Lebbeus Oak 1820–1905
Unconfirmed evidence: show why
Why: From the imported family tree; not yet reviewed.
Review: not yet reviewed.
What the labels mean
Son: William S. Oak 1805–1806
Likely evidence: show why
Why: Chelsea's entries (index lines) name Benjamin H. and Hannah Oak as the parents; that Benjamin is Nathaniel Oak's son rests on the 1906 register.
Records:
- FamilySearch index of Chelsea, Vermont vital records: marriage of Benjamin H. Oak and Hannah Smith, 23 December 1804; births and early deaths of their children there (William S., 1805-1806; Susannah Hastings Oak, born 26 May 1808; Genett, 22 Jan-28 Apr 1810). Index lines only; the cards were not opened
Review: assessed 10-03-2026; evidence: Published transcription or compiled genealogy examined.
What the labels mean
Daughter: Susannah Hastings Oak born 1808
Likely evidence: show why
Why: Chelsea's entries (index lines) name Benjamin H. and Hannah Oak as the parents; that Benjamin is Nathaniel Oak's son rests on the 1906 register.
Records:
- FamilySearch index of Chelsea, Vermont vital records: marriage of Benjamin H. Oak and Hannah Smith, 23 December 1804; births and early deaths of their children there (William S., 1805-1806; Susannah Hastings Oak, born 26 May 1808; Genett, 22 Jan-28 Apr 1810). Index lines only; the cards were not opened
Review: assessed 10-03-2026; evidence: Published transcription or compiled genealogy examined.
What the labels mean
Daughter: Genett Oak 1810–1810
Likely evidence: show why
Why: Chelsea's entries (index lines) name Benjamin H. and Hannah Oak as the parents; that Benjamin is Nathaniel Oak's son rests on the 1906 register.
Records:
- FamilySearch index of Chelsea, Vermont vital records: marriage of Benjamin H. Oak and Hannah Smith, 23 December 1804; births and early deaths of their children there (William S., 1805-1806; Susannah Hastings Oak, born 26 May 1808; Genett, 22 Jan-28 Apr 1810). Index lines only; the cards were not opened
Review: assessed 10-03-2026; evidence: Published transcription or compiled genealogy examined.
What the labels mean

Life events

Born	3 Mar 1776, Winchester, Cheshire, New Hampshire Likely evidence: show why Why: The 1906 register (p. 32) and the 1903 sketch (p. 194) give March 3, 1776 at Winchester; his gravestone's age at death, 66, fits that date, though the same stone reads July 4, 1776. Records: H. L. Oak (comp.), Oak-Oaks-Oakes Family Register (Los Angeles, 1906), pp. 32-33, no. 70. p. 32: 'IV. CHILDREN OF NATHANIEL (20) AND SUSANNA HASTINGS. 70. Benjamin Hastings. Garland, Me.; hotel-keeper and farmer; born Winchester N. H., March 3, 1776; married Chelsea, Vt., December 23, 1804; died April 26, 1842.' (record page · view at Internet Archive (public-domain 1906 scan; page images on americanacorns.com, PDF pages 40-41)) "The Oaks of Garland," in Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens of the State of Maine (Boston, 1903), p. 194. p. 194: Benjamin Hastings Oak, proprietor of a hotel in Boscawen, N.H., from 1812 until 1826; 'On December 23, 1804, at Chelsea, Vt., he married Hannah Smith'; 'The children of Benjamin Hastings and Hannah (Smith) Oak were: ... Lyndon ... Oak'. (view at Internet Archive, biographicalsket00newe (page image saved in acorns-private/sources/biographical-sketches-maine-1903/leaf_n442.jpg)) Gravestone of Benj. H. Oak, Hannah Smith Oak and Sarah Smith (photographs; cemetery not named). 'Benj. H. Oak / Born in Winchester, N.H. / July 4, 1776. / Died Apr. 26, 1842 / Aged 66 years / Hannah Smith Oak / His wife / Died Jan. 18, 1853 / Aged 74 years / Sarah Smith / Her sister / Died Oct. 24, 1863 / Aged 74 years.' (view at photographs in the family tree (media m7047585da818 and mb8a7d3e00ebe on americanacorns.com), received from other members' trees) (conflicts with this conclusion) Review: assessed 10-14-2026; evidence: Image examined. Earlier: Unconfirmed (09-24-2026, imported tree): From the imported family tree; not yet reviewed. What the labels mean (the family tree records 3 MAR 1776, Winchester, Cheshire, New Hampshire, United States)
Died	26 Apr 1842, Garland, Penobscot, Maine Confirmed evidence: show why Why: His gravestone gives April 26, 1842, and the register and the 1903 sketch give the same day; the sketch places the death at Garland. Records: Gravestone of Benj. H. Oak, Hannah Smith Oak and Sarah Smith (photographs; cemetery not named). 'Benj. H. Oak / Born in Winchester, N.H. / July 4, 1776. / Died Apr. 26, 1842 / Aged 66 years / Hannah Smith Oak / His wife / Died Jan. 18, 1853 / Aged 74 years / Sarah Smith / Her sister / Died Oct. 24, 1863 / Aged 74 years.' (view at photographs in the family tree (media m7047585da818 and mb8a7d3e00ebe on americanacorns.com), received from other members' trees) H. L. Oak (comp.), Oak-Oaks-Oakes Family Register (Los Angeles, 1906), pp. 32-33, no. 70. p. 32: 'IV. CHILDREN OF NATHANIEL (20) AND SUSANNA HASTINGS. 70. Benjamin Hastings. Garland, Me.; hotel-keeper and farmer; born Winchester N. H., March 3, 1776; married Chelsea, Vt., December 23, 1804; died April 26, 1842.' (record page · view at Internet Archive (public-domain 1906 scan; page images on americanacorns.com, PDF pages 40-41)) "The Oaks of Garland," in Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens of the State of Maine (Boston, 1903), p. 194. p. 194: Benjamin Hastings Oak, proprietor of a hotel in Boscawen, N.H., from 1812 until 1826; 'On December 23, 1804, at Chelsea, Vt., he married Hannah Smith'; 'The children of Benjamin Hastings and Hannah (Smith) Oak were: ... Lyndon ... Oak'. (view at Internet Archive, biographicalsket00newe (page image saved in acorns-private/sources/biographical-sketches-maine-1903/leaf_n442.jpg)) Review: assessed 10-14-2026; evidence: Image examined. Earlier: Unconfirmed (09-24-2026, imported tree): From the imported family tree; not yet reviewed. What the labels mean (the family tree records 26 APR 1842, Garland, Penobscot, Maine, United States)
Marriage	23 Dec 1804, Chelsea, Vermont, with Hannah Smith Likely evidence: show why Why: Index line only; the card was not opened. Records: FamilySearch index of Chelsea, Vermont vital records: marriage of Benjamin H. Oak and Hannah Smith, 23 December 1804; births and early deaths of their children there (William S., 1805-1806; Susannah Hastings Oak, born 26 May 1808; Genett, 22 Jan-28 Apr 1810). Index lines only; the cards were not opened Review: assessed 10-03-2026; evidence: Published transcription or compiled genealogy examined. What the labels mean
Office	Town clerk of Chelsea (listed 1807; the register says 1807-12), 1807, Chelsea, Orange, Vermont, USA
Office	Representative of Chelsea (printed list of representatives), 1810, Chelsea, Orange, Vermont, USA

Record images

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Benjamin Hastings Oak

Photos & documents

Sources

The Chelsea Centennial (Keene, N.H., 1884), pp. 54-55, list of town clerks: '1807, Benjamin H. Oak.' Internet Archive item chelseacentennia1884chel Other documents Citation only Event

Research sources

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