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Porter, Benjamin, 1771-1818

 

Dates

  • Existence: 1771 - 1818

Biography

Benjamin Porter was born on July 13, 1771. He was admitted to the bar, and succeeded to Hon Daniel Farrand's practice, when the latter left Newbury in 1800. Some years before his death, he removed to South Newbury. He was widely known as a lawyer and man of business, and was considered by Daniel Webster, who knew him well, as the most attractive social companion he had ever known. Benjamin Porter was town representative in 1811, 1812 and 1816. He introduced the grass generally called "witch grass" into this part of the country, in the idea that it would be of great benefit to farmers. It was formerly called "Porter grass." He visited Saratoga for his health in the summer of 1818, and died at the house of his brother-in-law, Mills Olcott, at Hanover NH.

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