Information from Book: The Loftin (Lofton) Descendants

Title: The Loftin (Lofton) Descendants
Author: Mable Lofton Stancil
Repository:
Name: Nancy B. Bourgeois
Terrytown LA
70056-4101

Page: p. 25
Text: Benonia Loftin, the third son of Leonard Loftin and Elizabeth, who settled in North Carolina, b. 16 January 1705, d. 6 January 1756. In some places his name is spelled Benonia and in others, it is spelled Benoni. He married twice. Name of the first wife is not known, but thought to have been a Miss Bell. His second wife was Susannah Burtonshall.
He was a Justice of the Court in Craven County, North Carolina in 1735. His father, Leonard Loftin, left money by his will to buy a home for Benonia. "The place that was bought near Kinston, North Carolina, is called JERICO, now in 1936, and is owned by Mr. Robert B. Dunn and the estate of Francis Clyde Dunn, both Loftin Descendants, the property never having left the possession of the family. The present house at JERICO is on the opposite side of the branch from the site of the house originally built for Benonia Loftin, and was the home of Walter Dunn, Jr., who married Cynthia Loftin, several times great granddaughter of Benonia." This is a quote from "LOFTIN AND ALLIED FAMILIES" by Mrs. W. M. Creasy.
Mrs. Creasy (Gertrude Bagby) was born in this house which was built in 1756, by Elkanah Loftin, son of Benonia. This was not the original house that was built for Benonia. It was distroyed by fire.
In the years of 1984 and 1985, I went to Kinston, North Caroilina, to see this house that belonged to my ancestor. It is still standing and is in good shape, considering its age. People still live in the house. Of course there have been improvements, but the original floor is still in most of it. The floors were made of twelve inch boards.
The Dunns do not own the property at the present time. It has been sold to a Mr. Hall.
Benonia Loftin was a member of the Craven County Militia. (North Carolina State Colonial Records, Vol. XXIII, p. 324, 6 Janurary 1751) This gives Colonial Dames Eligibility.