Isaac Behunin's Father was Named Albert, not Alpheus.

 



Some have mistakenly recorded the name of Alpheus as the father of Isaac Behunin, rather than Albert.   This is likely due to a history by Elijah Cutler Behunin which he identifies Isaac’s father as Alphius II and his grandfather as Alphius I.  Elijah Cutler may have confused his grandfather’s name with that of Isaac’s brother Alpheus.   In any case, on every occasion in which Isaac is asked to identify his father, the name Albert is given.  These sources include:

1.        Isaac’s personal history as recorded in the 11th Quorum of Seventy Biographies: 

“Isaac Behunin who was the son of Albert Behunin, was born on the 20th of October 1803….”

2.       Isaac’s Patriarchal Blessing:  “A blessing by John Smith Patriarch, upon the head of Isaac Behunin, son of Albert and Nancy, born October 30, 1803, Oswego County, New York”

3.       According to Shirley Schiess, Isaac did the temple work for his father “Albert” in the Nauvoo temple.   

 

Furthermore, early records of Richland New York clearly distinguish between Albert Behunin (or Bohannon) and his son Alpheus. 

1.       Landmarks of Oswego County:  “The same year Benjamin Winch also settled near the outlet, and Albert Bohannan at the mouth of Snake Creek.” 

2.       Gazetteer of the State of New York, Oswego County:  The first settlement was made near the mouth of Salmon river, in 1801, by Nathan tuttle, of Canada, and Nathan Wilcox and albert Bohannan, from Rome.”   

3.       1800 Census of Rome New York: “Albert Bohannan”

4.       1820 Census of Richland New York: “Albert Bohanon.”

 

Albert’s son Alpheus is also mentioned in the historical record.  On 5, 12, 1836 he is reported to have sold the family property near snake creek.  This would have been about 13 years after his father Albert would have died.  See http://behuninfamily.org/behunin/albert/doc/alpheussoldproperty.pdf.

 

The grave marker for Alpheus can be viewed at the following website:  http://behuninfamily.org/behunin/albert/histories/alpheusmarker.pdf

 

Conclusion:  The original source records support the conclusion that Albert Behunin/Bohannon was the father of Isaac Behunin. 

 

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