Pedro Maria was born about 1820-1827, most likely in Naguabo, but possibly Fajardo, Luquillo, or Humacao. The reason he was born during this time is because his father Carlos Pedro Benitez Batista's first wife Catalina Garcia Salgado and their only son Jose Eugenio Benitez Garcia were both dead by 1820. Carlos began having children with his second wife Mercedes Guzman in 1827.

In 2022 a Y-DNA study was conducted using familytreedna.com. A direct male descendant of Pedro Maria Benitez was an exact match at Big-Y 700 markers to two different Benitez males. One of them traces his lineage directly to Eugenio Benitez-Guzman. The other traces his lineage directly to 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. Indirect evidence and paper research indicate the common male ancestor was Carlos Pedro Benitez-Batista. (Contact [email protected] for details)

Pedro Maria's mother was Maria Del Rosario Rivas. He was likely born out of wedlock. His father was Don Carlos Benitez Batista who recognized his son. He was most likely named after his uncle Pedro Maria Jacinto Benitez Batista who died at the age of 15 on 10 January 1800 in San Juan.

Pedro Maria Benitez married Carlina Pomales 5 Feb 1848 at Naguabo, Puerto Rico.

Source:
Naguabo, Naguabo, Puerto Rico Records," images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSFS-T9QZ-T : July 13, 2021), image 2169 of 2877; Iglesia Católica. Nuestra Señora del Rosario (Naguabo, Naguabo).

Web Link:
https://www.familysearch.org/records/images/image-details?rmsId=TH-909-67586-17956-69&imageIndex=2168&singleView=true

Records of two of Pedro Maria's children (both named Laura Lina Benitez Pomales) reflect that their grandfather was Don Carlos Benitez. Oral history, documentary, and DNA evidence link descendants of Carlos Pedro Benitez and Pedro Maria Benitez who married Carlina Pomales and lived in Humacao, Naguabo and Vieques.

Source 1:
"Humacao, Puerto Rico Records," images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSFS-GW64-N : July 13, 2021), image 163 of 2789; Iglesia Católica. Dulce Nombre de Jesús (Humacao, Humacao).

https://www.familysearch.org/records/images/image-details?rmsId=TH-909-67582-170345-64&imageIndex=162&singleView=true

Source 2:
"Humacao, Puerto Rico Records," images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSFS-57CW-5 : July 13, 2021), image 1720 of 2738; Iglesia Católica. Dulce Nombre de Jesús (Humacao, Humacao).

https://www.familysearch.org/records/images/image-details?rmsId=TH-909-67584-141036-59&imageIndex=1719&singleView=true

Pedro Maria was still living in 1888 when his son Manuel Benitez Pomales died. However, a record of his grandchild in 1886 stated he was deceased. This is the most likely approximate year of his death.