Benson Mines Cemetery was established in the 1890's as a municipal cemetery on land donated by the Benson Mines Company, the earliest known burial dates from 1895. On 09 April 1907 the "Fernwood Cemetery Association" was established to control and regulate the cemetery. It was known by both names for several years. Eventually, the Fernwood Cemetery Association was dissolved, and control of the cemetery reverted to the Town of Clifton, which entity controls it to this day.

In 1942, Jones & Laughlin Steel leased the Benson Mines under a government defense contract. In order to expand the open pit iron ore mine (once the largest such mine in the world), J&L had to demolish the "company town" (village) of Benson Mines. Several structures were saved and moved to new locations. Two of those buildings were St. Hubert's Catholic Church and its Rectory. The Diocese of Ogdensburg purchased land for a Catholic cemetery adjacent to the Benson Mines cemetery, as here was no place for a cemetery at the church's new site. This plot was surveyed in 1946, and the deed registered in 1953. The first burial at St. Hubert's Catholic Cemetery was in 1950. It is important to understand that only Catholics in good standing at time of death may be interred in St. Hubert's Cemetery, as it is holy, consecrated ground. As a municipal cemetery, anyone of any faith could be buried in the Benson Mines Cemetery.

The headstone inscriptions in the Benson Mines Cemetery all face to the south - toward a road that fell into disuse many years ago (this road pre-dated NYS Route 3). The headstone engravings at St. Hubert's Cemetery all face north - towards NYS Route 3, which provides access for both Cemeteries. 

The Benson Mines Cemetery is the oldest burial ground in the Town of Clifton, St. Lawrence County, New York; it predates St. Hubert's Catholic Cemetery by over 50 years.