BENEDICT, David, clergyman, born in Norwalk, Connecticut, 10 October 1779; died in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, 5 December 1874. Early in life he learned the shoemaker's trade; but, after becoming interested in religion, he prepared for College, and was graduated at Brown in 1806. While a student, he had preached at Pawtucket ; and, on the completion of his course, he was ordained pastor of the first Baptist Church at that place, where he remained for twenty-five years. Although he was not attached to any regular pastorate, he afterward preached until near the close of his life, and a sermon delivered on his ninety-second birthday is said to have been remarkable for its ability and clearness, and for the vigor with which it was delivered. Much of his time was devoted to historical research, and he is the author of several valuable works, among which are "History of the Baptists" (1813) ; abridgement of Robinson's "History of Baptism" (1827) ; abridgment of his "History of the Baptists" (1820) ; "History of all Religions" (1824); " History of the Baptist Denominations in America and all Parts of the World" (1848) ; "Fifty Years among the Baptists" (1860) ; and "A Compendium of Ecclesiastical History" and " History of the Donatists," which were ready for the press at the time of his death, tie was likewise the author of several poems, including "The Watery War," and compiled a "Conference Hymn-Book," which has had a large circulation.