b. November 25, 1810, in Kent, Connecticut; d. February 28, 1874, in New Mexico. Benedict moved to Sangamon County in 1835 and then to Macon County in March of 1836. There, he engaged in the practice of law and held the office of Probate Justice of the Peace from 1838 to 1842. Benedict remained in Macon County until 1849 when he moved to Paris, Illinois. In 1853, President Franklin Pierce appointed Benedict as an Associate Justice for the Supreme Court of New Mexico Territory. He held that position for three years until President James Buchanan appointed him as Chief Justice for the court.