BAKER FAMILY HISTORY AND GENEALOGY

 

THE DESCENDANTS OF WILLIAM BENNETT

GENERATION 3 Cont.

 

5.  COL. ANTHONY BENNETT (WILLIAM2, WILLIAM1) was born March 30, 1777 in Northumberland Co., PA, and died June 25, 1859 in Shenango Twp., Crawford Co., PA.  He married NANCY ESPY October 29, 1805 in Pennsylvania, daughter of GEORGE ESPY and POLLY PATTERSON.  She was born June 18, 1785 in Crawford Co., PA, and died April 08, 1863 in Shenango Twp., Crawford Co., PA.

 

Notes for COL. ANTHONY BENNETT:

Anthony was in Northern Liberties Twp. In 1790

 

COMPANY BOUNDS

Of the battalion lately composing the 137th Regiment.

The 137th Regiment, now forming one battalion, is divided into companies as follows, viz.-

. . .the article goes on to name five different townships involved and is signed

DAVID NELSON, Colonel.

ANTH. BENNETT. Lt. Col.

JAMES COCHRAN, Major.

September 21st, 1814.

Source: Crawford Messenger Sept 28, 1814

 

An indenture between Stephen Barlow of CT. and Henry Baldwin of PA and the subscribers of Crawford County having original warrantees for tracts of land, lying North and West of the Ohio and Allegheny Rivers and Coneswango Creek surveyed and warrants in the names of the persons whose agreement and bearing date 21st April 1792., etc, etc, do hereby declare that it is our request that the Hons. Board of property would grant Patents in the same manner as if separate contracts had been made as aforesaid.  -In testimony, whereof the parties of these presents have hereunto set their hands and seals.  Names of Settlers parties to this agreements:

W. Hill                                    John Linn

John L. Siliegh                    Elijah Collins

William Reid                       Andrew Linn

Robert Bennett                       George Espy

Anthony Bennett                  George Espy

David Collins

Mathew Gamble        

 

Source: Crawford County Deed Book F, p. 263; Recorded: 30 June 1817

 

                                  

 

 

"........The first settlement in North Shenango was made in 1798, when David McKee and Anthony Bennett came from Susquehanna County and settled--the former in the southwestern part, near Espyville, and the latter in the northern part........Bennett settled on the stream which now bears his name, where he built the first saw and grist mill in the township and operated them for many years....."page 548

Source: OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE Historical and Memorial Record of Crawford County, Pennsylvania                                   By Samuel P. Bates, LL. D.

 

"Col. Anthony Bennett erected the first grist and saw mill in the township in 1800 or 1801 on Bennett's Run, and both were operated for many years.  He was a Major in 133rd Regiment under Col. Samuel Goudy in the War of 1812--promoted to Colonel."

Source: The Espy-Espey BookVol 2, p. 21, 22

 

Anthony, Robtert Bennett and Thos. Elliott as administrators, posted a notice of the ESTATE OF MAT. GAMBLE in the Mar. 4, 1823 Crawford Messenger.

 

Also found in the Crawford Messenger dated Aug. 15, 1834 a notice of a meeting of the seven SCHOOL DIRECTORS. “The Electors of North Shenango to meet at the house of Anthony Bennet.”

 

p578.......Anthony and Henry Bennett, came from the Susquehanna about 1798.  The former settled on Tract 42, the latter on Tract 46.  They were Seceders and life long residents of the township.  Their aged father, William Bennett said to have built the first keel boat on the Susquehanna, also immigrated to the township and died in 1812, aged one hundred and one years.  Anthony Bennett erected the first grist and saw-mills in the township in 1800 or 1801, on Bennetts's Run, and bother were operated for many years."

Source: History of Crawford County.

 

p 71   "Stewartsville, (North Shenango P. O. ) is situated on Bennetts Run, in the eastern part of the township.........The present settlement was commenced as early as 1798, in which year David McKee and Anthony Bennett, from Susquehanna County, located.......

Source: Gazetteer 1874.

 

Southwest Corner of Anthony Bennett’s Land

 

Anthony's Farm From Highway

 

 Bennetts Run Looking West

The Position of The Picture Above, Located On The S. W. Corner Of

The Intersection.  North Shenango, Crawford Co., PA.

 

 

 

Anthony Bennett Land Transactions in North Shenango, Crawford Co., PA

 

Anthony owned 400 acres of land (Original Plots #98), situated on the northeastern corner of Rt. 285 and Church Rd. (road to Linesville).  He received land warrant  #31517, of 160 acres. 

 

1817, May 28:  Articles of Agreement regarding original tracts of Land in Crawford Co., PA.

Received 150 acres and the improvements they had made.

 

1822, May 15:  Baldwin & Barlow to Anthony Bennett in Shenango Twp. 169 acres  165 perches  150 acres being settlement right on above agreement (1817) and 19 acres and 165 acres being by purchase from tract of land patented to Baldwin & Barlow in 1817.       $60.43  

 

1829, April 2:  David McKee and Hannah Burwell, Adm. Of Samuel Burwell, dec. to Anthony Bennett 100 acres       $300    Bought at auction.  (Hannah Burwell and Samuel Burwell are the parents of Isaac Burwell who married Anthony Bennett’s daughter Ann).  My theory is that Anthony bought the land with the intention of selling it back to Hannah, probably saving her home.  (Samuel died in 1822 at age 44 – she had 11 children, so some were undoubtedly still home. Her son Findley became man of the house at a very young age and leased and eventually bought the land.)

 

1829, June 10:  Anthony and Nancy Bennett to Hannah Burwell   100 acres    $300  (see above)

 

1840, March 24:  Anthony & Nancy Bennett to Thomas S. Bennett  26 acres  97 perches (part of the larger tract of land deeded to Anthony May 15, 1822.     $100

 

1853, Jan. 13:  Anthony Bennett to James P. Bennett    (James Patterson Bennett is son of Anthony)     Being part of larger tract of land deeded to Anthony 1822     76 acres 76 perches     $500

 

1853, Jan. 13:  Anthony Bennett to Robert H. Bennett (not sure which Robert Bennett this is – many Roberts in line)29 acres 69 perches  $500   Part of larger tract of land deeded to Anthony in 1822.

These land documents account for 738 acres of land Anthony acquired over a period of some years. He soon began selling off acreage to his sons, which makes me assume he was buying up land as it became available just for the purpose of selling land at an affordable cost to his sons as they became of age or married.  

 

                                                                                     

 

As a Major, (and Col.?), PA. militia served in 1812.  He served under Lt. Col Samuel Gowdy under Maj. Gen. David Mead at Erie, PA., serving 20-21 days July-Aug. 1813 and 40-41 days Jan. - Feb. 1814. 

 

179?    New Jersey, War 1812 Records of the Officers and Men of NJ. In wars 1791-1815. Trenton, NJ. 1909. (369p.):183

 

I also found this curious entry: 

Database: Pennsylvania Pensioners, 1835

County: Philadelphia Co.

Name: Anthony Bennett

Rank: Private

Description of service: 32nd regiment infantry

Time of decease: September 9, 1814

Names of the heirs: James, George W., Mary Ann, Elizabeth, Caroline, Margaretta, and William P. Bennett

Annual Allowance: 48 00

Sums Received: 240 00

When placed on the pension roll: May 1, 1818

Commencement of pension: February 17, 1815

Ending of pension: February 17, 1820

 

This is a mystery as Anthony did not die in 1814, should this read “time of service?”  The names of the heirs are very close to the names that appear in our family line.  Anthony may have had a cousin or uncle by the name of Anthony who lived in Philadelphia county. As many times as the Bennett’s repeatedly named their children after other family members it makes me think that there probably were other “Anthony’s” somewhere in the family.

 

 

 

ANTHONY BENNETT MUSTER ROLLS

     

 

 

 

    Plot map showing location of Anthony and

Henry Bennett’s farms in Shenango Twp., Crawford County

 

 

 

   

Articles of Agreement dated May 28, 1817 and recorded June 30, 1817 in the County of Crawford Pennsylvania.

Each of the named had met residency and improvement requirements on their allotted 150 acres of land.

 

 

 

PHOTO COPIES OF ANTHONY BENNETT DEEDS

 

Baldwin and Barlow to Anthony Bennnett   

         

      

 

Anthony & Nancy Bennett to Hannah Burwell 

       

 

 

McKee & Burwell to Anthony Bennett

 

 

Anthony Bennett to Espy Bennett

      

 

 

Anthony Bennett to James P. Bennett

     

 

 

Anthony Bennett to Thomas S. Bennett

  

 

 

Anthony Bennett to Robert N. Bennett

     

 

[Perch/pole/rod  = 5 ½ yds = 16 ½ feet].

 

 

May 15, 1822

Baldwin and Barlow to Anthony Bennett of Shenango

$60.43

Beginning at a black alder north 22 perches to a beech, west 98 perches to an ironwood, north 134 perches to a post, west 105 perches to a post, south 107 perches to a white oak, east 209 perches to the black alder, containing 169 acres and 155 perches, being part of a larger warrant (21) April 1794 granted to James Linn for _______ of the North American Land Company and by the said company coneyed to the said Henry and Stephen 150 acres _____ 19 acres _ 165 acres being ______ which (part) of land was patented _____paid Henry and Stephen and the sid Anthon Bennett on the 3rd day October 1817 _______ Anthony Bennett $60.43

Recorded May 18, 1822

 

Baldwin and Barlow to Anthony Bennett October 31, 1827

Anthony Bennett of Shenango

$136.

Land lying in Shenango township

Beginning at a post south east corner land of Edward Mullen, west 70 perches to a post center of the hiway., north 133 perches to a beech by land of Samuel B_, east 70 perches to a post thence by land of said Anthony 133 perches to the post at beginning, containing 154 acres and 151 perches. __5(4) acres of land.

Witness

Arthur Cullum

 

Recorded June 29, 1829

Anthony and Nancy Bennett to Hannah Burwell

North Shenango formerly Shenango

$300.00

Beginning south east corner at an ash _________, north 106 perches to a post, west 160 perches to a post, south 106 perches to a post, east 160 perches to the beginning, containing about 400 acres.

(The following part of the same document)

Archibald Davis by indenture dated July 6, 1819 did grant and convey unto Samuel Burwell and Hannah his wife 100 acres.

Witnesses

(Maria) Espy

William W. Bennett,

Anthony Bennett

Nancy Bennett

[Written] by George Espy*

 

* See my Espy family line  

 

Recorded June 29, 1829.

David McKee and Hannah Burwell ____of Samuel Burwell dec. To Anthony Bennett [Transaction page missing] Book M p. 423

Recorded June 30, 1817

 

May 15, 1822

Baldwin and Barlow to Anthony Bennett of Shenango

$60.43

Beginning at a black alder north 22 perches to a beech, west 98 perches to an ironwood, north 134 perches to a post, west 105 perches to a post, south 107 perches to a white oak, east 209 perches to the black alder, containing 169 acres and 155 perches, being part of a larger warrant (21) April 1794 granted to James Linn for _______ of the North American Land Company and by the said company coneyed to the said Henry and Stephen 150 acres _____ 19 acres _ 165 acres being ______ which (part) of land was patented _____paid Henry and Stephen and the sid Anthon Bennett on the 3rd day October 1817 _______ Anthony Bennett $60.43

Recorded May 18, 1822

 

Baldwin and Barlow to Anthony Bennett October 31, 1827

Anthony Bennett of Shenango

$136.

Land lying in Shenango township

Beginning at a post south east corner land of Edward Mullen, west 70 perches to a post center of the hiway., north 133 perches to a beech by land of Samuel B_, east 70 perches to a post thence by land of said Anthony 133 perches to the post at beginning, containing 154 acres and 151 perches. __5(4) acres of land.

Witness

Arthur Cullum

 

Recorded June 29, 1829

Anthony and Nancy Bennett to Hannah Burwell

North Shenango formerly Shenango

$300.00

(The following part of the same document)

Archibald Davis by indenture dated July 6, 1819 did grant and convey unto Samuel Burwell and Hannah his wife 100 acres.

Witnesses

(Maria) Espy

William W. Bennett,

Anthony Bennett

Nancy Bennett

[Written] by George Espy

 

Recorded June 29, 1829.

David McKee and Hannah Burwell ____of Samuel Burwell dec. To Anthony Bennett [Transaction page missing] Book M p. 423

Recorded June 30, 1817

 

April 22, 1836  Deed Anthony Bennett to Espy Bennett 

Recorded Sept. 1, 1837

North Shenango – South east corner of water (bench), 108 perches to white oak, north 84 perches to a post, east 108 perches to a post in the public road, south 84 perches to beginning, containing 53   732 perches allowing 6% for roads. 

Original survey and warrant April 1794 ____patented Baldwin, Barlow and Bennett 3rd day October 1817

Witness James Espy

 

 

 

Anthony and other family members are buried at South Shenango Cemetery,

others are buried at the Espyville Cemetery, the headstones can be seen on my

CEMETERIES PAGE  

 

 

 

 

 

Signature of Anthony Bennett

 

 

More About: Anthony Bennett

May be the Anthony Bennett who served in Grayson's Reg. as a Leut.

 

 

Notes for NANCY ESPY:

The following stories name only a Mrs. Bennett without stating whether it was Anthony's or Henry's wife.  I tried to determine this by studying the age of the children.  The dates of births for Henry’s children would suggest they were too old to be "babe in arms".  Anthony’s children's dates of birth have not all been found, so I am crediting this story to being about Nancy Espy Bennett, I may have assumed incorrectly, also it could have been a different Mrs. Bennett altogether as I have found other Bennett’s listed in early accounts of the county. Anthony Bennett was close to the Reed and Collins families both in locality and through marriage.

 

. . . James and William Reed, brothers, came from the Susquehanna about 1800.  William proceeded as far as Franklin in a canoe, his wife following along the river upon horseback, and driving two cows.  They stopped at first in the eastern part of the township, but subsequently removed to the southwest part, in the vicinity of a spring discovered by Mrs. Reed while lost in the woods.  She and Mrs. Bennett, the latter with a babe in her arms, started through the forest to carry the mid-day meal to their husbands, but lost their way and rambled through the woods till evening, then took refuge in a small tree.  They passed the night in terror beholding a panther for a long time crouched beneath them.  Descending in the morning they were attracted by the sound of chopping and soon found two men by whom they were guided homeward, where they learned that the neighborhood was aroused and searching for them."

Source: History of Crawford County p.578.

 

 

The same story told in the Gazetteer & Business Directory of Crawford Co. PA 1874. p. 72.  The story has a little different twist to it as follows: 

“When they had got within fifteen miles of Franklin, their supply of provisions became exhausted, and Mr. Reed proceeded on foot to procure a new supply.  They stopped at first in the eastern part of the township, but subsequently removed to the vicinity of a spring discovered by Mrs. Reed while lost in the woods, she, in company with Mrs. Bennett, having started out with their husbands' dinners.  It is related by Isaiah Collins that these two women, having lost their way rambled through the woods and at night took refuge in small trees up which they climbed.  During the night an animal, which they supposed to be a panther, made its appearance, and Mrs. Reed urged her companion to appease the hungry beast and secure themselves from harm by the sacrifice of the babe she had with her; but the thought so repugnant to a mother's sensibilities was too horrifying to be obscured by that of personal danger and was promptly rejected.  In the morning their fears of immediate danger were removed by the retreat of the animal.  They descended and after some time their attention was attracted by the sound of chopping, toward which they turned their steps, and soon were gratified with the sight of two men, engaged in digging out a trough, by whom they were piloted to their homes, where they learned that the neighborhood was aroused and searching for them.”

 

 

Children of ANTHONY BENNETT and NANCY ESPY are:

12.         i.   PVT. ESPY BENNETT, b. 1806

13.         ii.   ANNA E. BENNETT, b. Abt. 1808

14.        iii.   WILLIAM BENNETT, b. Abt. 1810.

15.        iv.   THOMAS STEVENSON BENNETT b. September 15, 1812.

16.        v.   MARGERY BENNETT, b. December 25, 1816

17.        vi.   MARY BENNETT, b. Bet. September 14, 1814 - 1817

18.       vii.   NANCY JANE BENNETT, b. Bet. 1819 - 1822.

19.      viii.   MARGARET BENNETT, b. Abt. 1820.

             ix.   JOHN A. BENNETT, b. May 25, 1821, Crawford Co., PA; d. March 11, 1829, Crawford Co., PA.

 

More About JOHN A. BENNETT:

Burial: So. Shenango Cemetery Row X #26, Crawford Co., PA

"7 yr 9 m 14 da"

 

             x.   GEORGE BENNETT, b. Abt. 1823.

20.        xi.   JAMES PATTERSON BENNETT, b. 1827.

 

Continued

 

 

                                                                    

 

 

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Linda Aust Hansen