Carlos Pedro Benitez was the son of Josef Concepcion Benitez Bermudez and Juana Constanza Batista Rodriguez. He was born about 1790-1795 at Aguadilla (based on his first marriage), Puerto Rico. Most records list him as Don Carlos Pedro Benitez or Don Carlos Benitez.

He is noted in the book, Los Benitez: Raices de una familia hacedora de historia by Juan Jose Barragan Landa 1996. He is also noted in the book El Marinero, Bandolero, Pirata y Contrabandista Robert Cofresi 1819-1925 by Walter Cardona Bonet 1991.

He mostly lived in Fajardo from at least 1809. He was a Sargento Mayor (Sergeant Major) in the Spanish Army at Fajardo, Puerto Rico in 1819. From 1819-1826 he was Comandante de Milicias in Fajardo. He was the Mayor of Fajardo from 1822-1824. His duties took him all over the island of Puerto Rico and was also known to have spent time in Salinas, Yauco, Yabucoa, and Ceiba.

He likely died between 1847 and 1855, most likely at Fajardo or Humacao.

His first marriage was in 1813 at Luquillo to Catalina Garcia Salgado.

Source:

"Puerto Rico, registros parroquiales, 1645-1969," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:9398-KCN3-R?cc=1807092&wc=QZYD-NL6%3A149110201%2C149110202%2C149233901 : 25 May 2021), Luquillo San José Matrimonios 1809-1817 image 27 of 46; paróquias Católicas (Catholic Church parishes), Puerto Rico.

Web Link:

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:9398-KCN3-R?i=26&cc=1807092&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3A6ZGX-55BM

He had one child with Catalina Garcia Salgado (Jose Eugenio Benitez Garcia 1814-1820)

Source: Archivos Parroquiales de Fajardo Libro 7, Fs. 14V y 15R Padrinos [Godparents] Jose Benitez y Juana Constanza Batista.

He had at least one child with Maria del Rosario Rivas (Pedro Maria Benitez), who was born out of wedlock but recognized with the Benitez name. Pedro was born about 1820-1826.

In 2022 a Y-DNA study was conducted using familytreedna.com. A direct male descendant of Pedro Maria Benitez was an exact match at 111 markers to two different Benitez males. One of them traces his lineage directly to Eugenio Benitez-Guzman. The other traces his lineage directly to Carlos Pedro "Regalado" Benitez-Guzman. Both brothers were large sugar cane plantation owners in Vieques, Puerto Rico. Thus proving that they all descend from a common Benitez male who was born about 1788-1800. Indirect evidence and paper research indicate the common male ancestor was Carlos Pedro Benitez-Batista. (Contact [email protected] for details)

Carlos may have had other children.

He had most of his children with Mercedes Guzman-Pena.

1. Carlos Pedro "Regalado" Benitez-Guzman 1827-1905 married Louise Rosa Sophie Benitez-Neron Longpre and Francisca Carmen Polonia Castano-Martin. He also had other children with Juana Manuela Cintron Garcia-Romero.

2. Manuel "Eusebio" Benitez-Guzman 18631-1897 (married Maria Jesus Santana-Rodriguez)

3. Maria Modesta Bernarda Benitez-Guzman Abt 1832-1899 (married Manuel Felipe de Guzman Pena)

4. Jose "Eugenio" Benitez-Guzman abt 1834 - 1874 (married Josefa Calzada Hernandez)

5. Carolina de la Trinidad del Carmen Benitez-Guzman 1835-1920 married Luis Miguel Nadal-Soler

6. Constanza Valeriana Benitez-Guzman 1825-1885 (married Juan Penedo-Fernandez)

7. Dorilia Petra Benitez-Guzman 1837-1914 (married Ramon Aboy Hernandez)

8. Jose Concepcion "Pepe" Benitez Guzman 1840-1900 married Belen Castano-Martin. Also had children with Teodosia Diaz-Gomez and Josefa Cepeda.

9. Jovita Benitez-Guzman