on of Samuel Beatty (d. 1795) and Martha Hamilton, he was born in Derry, Ireland. Benjamin married Martha Chamberlain, the daughter of Jeremiah Chamberlain and Margery Hamilton, of York Co., PA, in about 1775. During the Revolution, he served as an ensign in Capt. John O'Blainess' company, first battalion, of the York Co. militia, and is said to have been with Gen. George Washington during the latter's crossing of the Delaware. Benjamin and Martha were the parents of 10 children. They eventually moved their family to Westmoreland Co., in western PA, where Benjamin died in 1831.