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- William Benton emigrated at age 14 to the United States, arriving at Alexandria, Virginia., and eventually settled in Loudoun County, Virginia. During the War of 1812, William became acquainted with James Monroe, the future President. He later became a "counselor and friend" of Monroe's and managed Monroe's plantation, Oak Hill. He also supervised the building of Monroe's home at Oak Hill, during which time he resided in one of the homes on the Monroe estate. William and his wife, Sarah Hyde, named their first child James Monroe Benton in honor of the President. They ultimately had eight children. At age 99, William was breaking a colt. When the colt ran under a tree limb, William was knocked off, and he later died of pneumonia and complications from the accident.
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