Benjamin Oney, was born about 1736 in either Providence, Rhode Island or Burlington County, New Jersey according to early researchers and submissions to the LDS International Genealogical Index. There is no documentation provided with these entries. He may have married twice. His first wive’s given name is said to be Jemima. Researchers state that her maiden name is Norris and the marriage took place in Burlington County, New Jersey. No record of their marriage has been located either in New Jersey Colonial Records nor Burlington County marriages by this researcher. Benjamin’s first son Joseph was born in 1754 on the Delaware River near Burlington County, New Jersey according to his Revolutionary Pension records.

This researcher first finds Benjamin in Washington County, Virginia where he settled 440 acres on the south side of the Clinch River with a grant dated 1781. In 1783 he obtained another 175 acres on the north fork of the Clinch River. His properties were bounded on one corner by Obadiah Payne who married his daughter Jemima and another corner by property owned by John Deskins.

It was a difficult trip to court so when "sundry inhabitants along the Clinch and other areas signed a petition in 1785 to form the county of Russell, Benjamin, Richard, and William Oney were among the signers.

On January 11, 1790 Benjamin wrote his will in what was then Russell County. He left his "beloved son Richard the whole of land and plantation where he resided along with "every kind" of stock of horses and cattle, household furniture and cash. Richard was instructed to pay legacies to brother Joseph, William and son-in-laws William Webb, Obadiah Payne and William. The will also mentions wife Mary.

Once again residents realized the need to divide the county and in 1798 a petition to form a county named Tazewell was drafted and signed by inhabitants of Wythe and Russell County. Among those signing were Richard, Benjamin, Joseph and Hezekiah and William Oney. Shortly after the formation of Tazewell Benjamin Oney died. The will was proven in court in August 1801 with Richard acting as executor. Testimony was given in court on the oath of William Owens in September and the inventory and appraisement was returned in Tazewell County in January 1802.