Ken,
This may not be much help, but you can probably identify the time of
"disappearance," as between the birth date of the last child shown on the 1850
census, and some time after 1830 when the family was in the NY census. I think
you also know that William was in Franklin County for some period of time
(when your wife's gr-grandfather was born.
The lodge meeting information is kind of interesting. The Masons were well
established in Franklin County by the 1830s The earliest lodge, I think, was
called Harmony, or maybe New Harmony, and I think it was in Brookville. If
Benjamin Doty was a member of that Lodge, and fell in the canal and died
(when was the canal built -- that might be another way to get closer to a death
date if he fell in the canal and died) you might find something on him in the
old Lodge records if they still exist. If Harmony is no longer in existence,
the records might be with the Grand Lodge -- Indianapolis?? Harmony was a
very well known Masonic Lodge in early Indiana, three of the early governors
being members there.
I presume you have looked for a cemetery listing for Benjamin.
IOOF anf Knights of Pythias were also in Franklin County, but a bit later, I
think.
Good Luck,
Jim
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