Benjamin (Sr.) Stephenson

 Benjamin White Stephenson (Stevenson) was born c.1846 in the parish of Killoe. Prior to enlisting with the army, he worked as a labourer. He enlisted with the 50th Regiment of Foot in May 1864 at the age of 18 (under the surname Stevenson), in Dublin; his original period of engagement was to be 10 years. He was promoted to Corporal in 1871 and later to Sergeant in 1874; he re-enlisted at Colchester for a further two years of service that year. In 1876 on retirement, he was transferred to the Kildare Rifle Militia, where he remained for two years, returning to Longford in 1878 and joining the 6th Rifle Brigade here and was promoted to Colour-Sergeant in 1884, before completing his military service that year. In line with soliders of that period with similar service, Stephenson attained a 2nd Class education certificate (allowing him to be promoted), and a certificate from the School of Musketry

Sgt Stephenson served in New Zealand for two years, 1864-66 and then in Australia until mid-1869.

Benjamin married Anne Thompson in Mohill, Co. Leitrim on the 24 January 1876. They went on to have six children: George (died in WW1), John, Benjamin, William, Margaret and Elizabeth.

After retiring from military service, Benjamin worked as a farmer. Sadly, he died on the 22 March 1895 of liver cancer. An obituary at the time of his death gave full details of his life and career:

March 1895 - Death of Mr. Benjamin Stephenson 

We regret to announce the death of Mr. Benjamin Stephenson, which event took place at his residence, Dublin-street [sic], Longford, on Friday morning, the 22nd inst., at the comparatively early age of 49 years. He belonged to one of the oldest and most respectable and represented families in the county - his grandfather having been at one time an extensive landed proprietor therein. He was cousin to Captain James Stephenson, who a sho

Link to Civil Record of death;