Bennington Township
Shiawassee County, Michigan

The township was part of Perry Township in 1838. In 1841, the State of Michigan laid out the boundaries of the present township.

Samuel Nichols bought the first land in the township in 1825. The first township meeting was held in his home in 1838. Elected officials included; Lemuel Castle, Ira B, Howard, Samuel Pitts Jr., Nelson Waugh, Joseph P. Roberts, Samuel B. Bugbee, Samuel Nichols, Samuel Kellogg, Jerry Howard, Archibald Purdy, Joel North, Hiram Davis and Horace Mann.

The village of Bennington had a store, depot, elevator, post office and church. The first postmaster was Benjamin Davis.

According to Arden R. Hudson, his grandfather, William Hudson, ran the general store / gas station / post office in Bennington. "The building still stands, as far as I know. It sits on the Northwest corner of Bennington and Ruess Rds., in Bennington".

He ran the store from 1927 to 1960, being postmaster of the Bennington Post Office from 1927 to 1957 when the post office made him retire. He retired, selling the store in 1960.

"I remember him having the old hand pump gas pumps, then converting to electric pumps in the later years".

Jonathon M. Hartwell established a stage coach stop, hotel, tavern and general store in about 1838. He became the first postmaster in 1841. Hartwellville was located on the northeast corner of Morrice and Grand River Roads. Members of his family operated the post office until it closed on Jan. 15, 1901.

The Maple River Church Area located on Bennington Road, one mile west of State Rd. The Church remains, as do a few homes.

Sagerville was located on the Grand River Trail in Bennington Twp. Rollin Pond became the first postmaster on Dec. 14, 1891. This office closed on Jan. 15, 1901. Mr. Sager manufactured wooden crates at his farm.

A small village named Pittsburg was named for Moses Pitts. Who, along with his son, Safford, opened the hotel, store, post office, blacksmith shop and established the church and school. Henry Rutherford was the postmaster. Other early settlers were C. W. Sager, M. E. Bugbee, Issac Gale, James Bugbee, Ezekiel Cook and Newcomb Mitchell.

The six rural schools were also used as churches for worship services.