In 1794, book WG OO 183, Matthew Turner leased two farms from Benedict Hurst for 10 years.

There is also record of Shadrach Hurst marrying Hannah Warner 1 Dec 1824. I believe this was a second marriage for our Shadrach or perhaps there was another of that name, though I’m not aware of one. In any event, Eleanor was born well before that second marriage, if it was in fact our Shadrach.

The familial relationship of Shadrach to his sisters and brothers and to his father is clear from several land records filed after Bennett’s death.

I have seen vague references to Chancery Court proceedings in 1819 and 1833 (one of which is unrecorded) which may have something to do with later proceedings between Jacob Hurst and Shadrach’s other heirs -- but I can’t track this down.

The 1830 will of William Hurst listed Isaac Hoshall (son of our Jesse) as an Executor and the witnesses were Benedict Hurst Jr and Gerard Matthews. It is noteworthy because of the way it links all 3 families. In 1809 Wliam Hurst and wife Lydia baptized dau Eliza Jane b.15 May 1809 at St Pauls Epsicopal.

On 23 Jan 1840, the Chancery Court ruled in favor of Jacob Hurst who had been sued by a number of men named Hurst and several others who were named together with their wives including John Hoshall and Ellen (sic) his wife and the result was Curfman’s Folly and other properties were awarded to Jacob.

It is my belief that this is a key document and that the circumstances must have been as follows: Shadrach had died and his heirs had come to court claiming that Jacob never paid off that mortgage recorded in 1817.

I believe, based on the Chancery Court decree, that Shadrach’s children were: Elijah, John, Nathaniel, Thomas and Benedict Hurst and Eleanor wife of John Hoshall, Christina wife of John Dorman, and Mary wife of James Cooper.