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- Was one of the most prominent early citizens of Springfield, Massachusetts, being closely associated with Deacon Samuel Chapin (the "Puritan"). His oldest child and daughter Bethia married Deacon Chapin's son Henry. Benjamin, who lived in what is now called Longmeadow, married Sarah. and by her had three daughters and five sons. His wife died six days after his death. A good part of the American Cooleys are descended from four of his sons: Obediah, Eliakim, Daniel, and Joseph.
He died at age 67. Six days later his wife Sarah died. They had fivesons and three daughters, all brought to maturity. In those days, the infant mortality was terrific, so Sarah Cooley was an unusual type of mother, to have carried her entire brood safely through the dangerous period.
As were all their contemporaries, Benjamin Cooley and his wife were interred in the ancient "Burying Place" by the riverside in Springfield, west of the church that he had helped to build. No stones marked their graves for no lasting stone was then to be had in the community. There
Benjamin and Sarah rested until the coming of the railroad. In 1849, to make room for the tracks, the remains of 2404 bodies and 517 markerswere removed to the Springfield Cemetery on the hill that had been opened in 1841. (Source: THE DESCENDANTS OF DR. ASAHEL AND SALLY (WILBUR) COOLEY by Arthur Stoddard Cooley).
A source film no. 0873024, Item 7, Buttrich, Edwin A. 1832-1891. "Benjamin Cooley settled in Springfield, MA in 1645. He was a Town Officer for many terms.
Another source: A BRANCH OF THE COOLEY FAMILY IN AMERICA by Roy S. Cooley (February 10, 1986. Benjamin Cooley with his wife Sarah was one or the first settlers of Springfield, Mass. He was an ensign in King Phillip's War and seems to have taken a prominent part at that time. (See Soldiers of King Phillip's War, by G. M. Dodge, pp. 475). He died August 17, 1684, and his wife died six days later. (See Hist. of Springfield, by M.A. Green, pp. 78,77,96,97, 102, 110, 125, 197, 130, 132, 154, 172, and Savage's Genealogical Dictionary Vol. 1, p. 453).
Benjamin was one of the first settlers in that part of Springfield called Longmeadow. From him descended all of that name in the country as far as is known.
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Abt 1617 - 1684 (67 years)