William
Bennett was born about 1711. He was the son of Unknown Parents
Ann was born
in 1737. She was the daughter of Unknown Parenets
THE FAMILY OF WILLIAM BENNETT & ANN
William Bennett & Ann | William Bennett married Ann sometime
between 1755 to 1769 in Pennsylvania. William was possibly married at least
once before his marriage to Ann, who was 26 years younger than him, but no other
wife has been documented at this time. It is likely that William was one of the
first settlers on the Susquehanna perhaps around the years 1753-1754, but early
records are hard to find for him. He is reported in the area history books as
building the first keel boat on the Susquehanna. William or his son served in
the Revolutionary War and also in the War of 1812 as a Major and a Colonel - see
notes for William Bennett Jr. below. William Bennett is listed on tax records
in May 1778 & 1786 in Bald Eagle Twp, Northumberland Co., PA. He is also listed
on 1785 & 1787 tax records for nearby Nippinose Twp, Northumberland Pa, and
he may have owned property in both locations. His occupation on early tax records
in "Iron Master". In 1787, William & James Bennett owned a grist
mill. Wm Bennitt is listed on the 1790 census of Northumberland Co., PA, next
to the household of Robert Bridgens, and near households of William Reed, James
Bennitt, & Henry and Benjamin Thompson, all surnames who are later associated
with this family by marriage. In 1798, William moved with some of his children
to the area of Alleghany Co., PA that is now Crawford Co., PA, and in 1800 they
settled in North Shenango, Crawford Co., PA. I have not found the family on the
1800 census at this time, but Crawford County was formed in 1800, so there may
have been some confusion. William Bennett is listed as a head of household on
the 1810 census of Shenango, Crawford Co., PA. A History of North Shenango states:
"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 Run, and both were
operated for many years." William Bennett died in 1812 at the home of
his son Robert in South Shenango Twp, Crawford Co., PA. His gravestone states
that he died January 1812. The Crawford County Atlas says that he died March 25,
1812. Ann Bennett died in 1819 at age 82 years. Notes for William Bennett |
The Children of William Bennett & Ann
James Bennett | James Bennett was born 1731-1770 in Pennsylvania.
Ann could have been his mother if he was born after 1755, but it is not for sure
and he may have been William's son from a previous marriage. James is listed on
Northumberland Co., PA tax records along with William & John Bennett in 1785,
1786, and 1787, when he is listed as owning a grist mill with William Bennett.
James Bennitt is listed on the 1790 census of Northumberland Co., PA, with numbers
in the household that indicates he had a wife, 5 daughters, and 4 sons under the
age of 16 at that time. I do not find records that I am sure are this James Bennett
after 1790. Possible matches in 1800 are a James Bennet household in Milford,
Mifflin Co., PA with parents both over age 45 and 3 children at home, and also
a James Banet (Barret?) in Pine Creek, Lycoming Co., PA with both parents over
45 and 5 children at home. James Bennett died sometime after 1790, probably
in Pennsylvania but that is not for sure. | |
John Bennett | John Bennett was born 1731-1770 in Pennsylvania.
Ann could have been his mother if he was born after 1755, but it is not for sure
and he may have been William's son from a previous marriage. John is listed on
Northumberland Co., PA tax records along with William & James Bennett in 1785,
1786, and 1787. In 1785 he was taxed on 3 horses and a cow but no land, and in
1786 he is listed as being a single man. I do not find him as a head of household
in 1790, and I do not think he was in William's household that year. John Bennett
died sometime after 1787, probably in Pennsylvania although that is not for sure. Notes for John Bennett | |
William Bennett Jr. | William Bennett Jr was born 1731-1770 in Pennsylvania.
Ann could have been his mother if he was born after 1755, but it is not for sure
and he may have been William's son from a previous marriage. There is a book that
is a history of the Espy family that states: "It is likely that William was
one of the first settlers on the Susquehanna perhaps around the years 1753-1754.
William Bennett was a First Lieutenant in Capt. Somme Dale's Company formed in
Upper Div. of Northumberland Co. was among the body of soldiers present at Ft.
Augusta on 25 June 1777. Col. 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 the 133rd Regiment under Col. Samuel Goudy in the War
of 1812--promoted to Colonel." It is confusing to know if the above is about
William born in 1711, or his son William Jr. I think William Jr may be the one
who was in the Revolutionary War as his father would have been 66 yrs old in 1776,
and men over 60 were not expected to serve. (Since William Sr was still having
children through 1787 and lived to be 101, he may have been in good enough health
at 66 to serve in the Revolutionary war, so it is not impossible that it was him
if he volunteered and wanted to do it) Since William Sr died in 1812 at age 101,
I definitely think that William Jr would have been the one who was a Major in
the War that year. William Bennett & William Bennett Jr are both on the May
1778 tax liste of Northumberland Co., PA. I do not find William Jr as head of
household on the 1790 census of Northumberland Co., PA, and there is not a male
who could be him in the household of his parents that year after the other known
sons are accounted for. I do not know if William Jr went with his father and brother
to the area that became Crawford Co., PA in 1800 - When his brother Samuel died
in 1803, sibling Anthony Bennett was named administrator, which could indicate
that older brother William had died, or could just be because Anthony was in Crawford
County and willing to do it. (Their father, William, was also still alive and
in Crawford county in 1803, although he was age 92) I do not find any other records
that I am sure are this William Bennett Jr at this time. He is not mentioned as
being one of the Bennetts who settled in Crawford Co., PA, although there is William
Bennett who is on the 1790 census of Alleghany Co., PA, which is the county that
Crawford Co., PA was formed from in 1800. That William had a male over 16, 2 males
under 16, and 4 females in the household. William Bennett Jr died sometime
after 1787, probably after 1812 in PA but that is not for sure. Notes for William Bennett Jr | |
Nancy Bennett | Nancy Bennett was born between 1765 - 1774 in Pennsylvania.
Nancy is either a daughter or granddaughter or William Bennett. Land records
in Crawford Co., PA in 1827 indicate that Nancy was a sibling of Samuel, Anthony
& Henry Bennett, but H. A. L. Bridgens, who researched the Bridgens family
in the 1940's, wrote a letter stating that Nancy was the daughter of Thomas Bennett.
As William was born in 1711, he could easily have had a son named Thomas born
1731-1754 who could have had a daughter Nancy born 1765-1774. More research is
needed on this. William Bennett is listed on tax records in Northumberland Co.,
PA from 1778-1787, but I have not found record of any Thomas Bennett who was living
there at this time. Nancy married Robert Bridgens, on June 6, 1789 in Northumberland
Co., PA, and they had at least 11 children. (They did name their oldest son Thomas,
but there was also a Thomas Bridgens who died in Northumberland Co., PA in 1779
who is probably the father or brother of Robert Bridgens so it may be a family
name from his side.) The household of Robert Bridgens is listed on the 1790 census
of Northumberland Co., PA, next door to William Bennitt, and near William Reed,
James Bennitt, Henry Thompson & Benjamin Thompson. H. A. L. Bridgens lists
Robert's occupation as Iron Master, and William Bennett is also listed on early
Northumberland Co., PA records as having the occupation of Iron Master. In 1798,
William Bennett moved with several of his children to the area of Alleghany Co.,
PA that became Crawford Co., PA in 1800, but Robert & Nancy Bridgens did not
go with them. The household of Robert Bridgens is listed on the 1800 census of
Pine Creek, Lycoming Co., PA, and on the 1810 census of Dunstable, Lycoming Co.,
PA. (Lycoming Co., PA had been formed from part of Northumberland Co., PA on April
13, 1795.) Nancy Bennett Bridgens died in Lycoming Co., PA, sometime between
1810-1820. Their last known child was born in 1809. Their oldest son Thomas
married about 1812, which makes it difficult to know if any of the 3 Bridgens
children born 1812-1815 belonged to Robert or Thomas. In 1820, Robert is living
in the household of their married son Thomas Bridgens in Bald Eagle, Lycoming
Co., PA, and there is no female in the household of an age to be Nancy. Robert
Bridgens died in 1826. He is buried in the Great Island Cemetery, Allison Twp,
Clinton Co., PA. An 1827 Crawford Co., PA land record that links to land that
was in the estate of Samuel Bennett (which was inherited by his siblings) lists
"heirs or legal representatives of Nancy Bridgens, dec'd, late Nancy Bennett,
of Shenango twp., Crawford County, Pennsylvania." As I have found no indication
that the Nancy Bennett who married Robert Bridgens ever lived in Crawford Co.,
PA, there are questions about this also. Children of Robert & Nancy (Bennett)
Bridgens are: Thomas (1790), Annie (1792), Robert (1796), William (1797), Sarah
(1798), John (1800), Margaret (1801), Mary (1804), Samuel (1807), Elizabeth (1809),
and possibly Rachael (1814). Notes for Nancy Bennett Bridgens Picture of son Robert Bridgens Jr, born 1796 | |
Robert S. Bennett | Robert S. Bennett was born about 1773 in
Pennsylvania. His father William is listed on tax records in Northumberland
Co., PA from 1778-1787. There is a male who could be Robert, age 17, in the household
of Wm Bennitt on the 1790 census of Northumberland Co., PA. Robert married Elizabeth
about 1798, in Northumberland or Alleghany Co., PA. Robert moved that year with
his father and some of his brothers to Alleghany Co., PA, and the area they settled
in became Crawford Co., PA in 1800. I have not found them on the 1800 census at
this time, but an 1876 book on Crawford Co., PA history states "Robert Bennett
settled in 1798 on the farm (currently) occupied by his son Samuel." Robert
& Elizabeth had at least 8 children. Robert Bennitt is listed as a head of
household on the 1810 census of Shenango, Crawford Co., PA. Elizabeth died in
January 1814, and Robert was married second to Ruth, sometime between 1814-1820.
Robert and Ruth had at least 3 children. The family is listed on the 1830 &
1840 censuses of South Shenango, Crawford Co., PA. Robert S. Bennett died
on August 30, 1842 in South Shenango, Crawford Co., PA. Ruth is listed on the
1850 census of South Shenango, Crawford Co., PA with son Robert and between households
of stepsons William & Samuel Bennett. Notes for Robert S. Bennett Bennett Records 1800's | |
Anthony Bennett | Anthony Bennett was born on March
30, 1777 in Northumberland Co., PA. There is a male who could be Anthony,
age 13, in the household of Wm Bennitt on the 1790 census of Northumberland Co.,
PA In 1798 when Anthony was 21, he moved to Alleghany Co., PA with his parents
and some of his brothers, and the area they settled in became Crawford Co., PA
in 1800. I have not found them on the 1800 census at this time, but Anthony, his
father William, and some of his brothers are mentioned in books on Crawford Co.,
PA history as being there at that time. Anthony married Nancy Espy on October
29, 1805 in Crawford Co., PA, and they had at least 10 children. Anthony Bennett
is listed as a head of household on the 1810 census of Shenango, Crawford Co.,
PA. Anthony served in the War of 1812, and received a pension for his service
from Feb. 17, 1815 to Feb 17, 1820. Anthony Bennett is listed as head of household
on the 1820 census of Shenango, Crawford Co., PA, and on the 1830, 1840 &
1850 censuses of North Shenango, Crawford Co., PA. Anthony Bennett died on
June 25, 1859 in North Shenango, Crawford Co. PA. Nancy Espy Bennett died
on April 04, 1863. Children of Anthony Bennett & Nancy Espy are James Espy
(1806), Anna (1808), William (1810), Thomas Stevenson (1812), Mary (1814), Nancy
Jane (1816), Margaret (1818), Marjory (1820), Unknown Son (1826-1830) and James
Patterson (1827) | |
Henry Bennett | Henry Bennett was born about 1778 in Bald Eagle
Twp, Northumberland Co., PA. His father William is listed on tax records in
Northumberland Co., PA from 1778-1787. There is a male who could be Henry, age
12, in the household of Wm Bennitt on the 1790 census of Northumberland Co., PA
In 1798 when Henry was 20, he moved to Alleghany Co., PA with his parents and
some of his brothers, and the area they settled in became Crawford Co., PA in
1800. Henry married Elenor "Nellie" Thompson Cline about 1800-1804
and census records indicate that they had at least 10 (and possibly 11) children.
I have not found Henry on the 1800 census at this time, but he is listed as a
head of household on the 1810 & 1820 censuses of Shenango, Crawford Co., PA.
In 1810 he had 4 children under age 10, and he is listed on the same page as his
father William & brother Anthony Bennett, and also Andrew Thompson, George
Espey & William Reid. Henry Bennett & family are listed on the 1830, 1840
& 1850 censuses of North Shenango, Crawford Co., PA. In 1850 Henry's occupation
is listed as Farmer, and they are raising 4 grandchildren; the two older boys
are sons of their deceased son Samuel Thompson Bennett, but the two younger girl
are either Samuel's or children of another son,William Perry Bennett who had died
in 1843. Elenor Thompson Cline Bennett died on September 28, 1856 in North Shenango,
Crawford Co., PA. Henry wrote his will On December 1, 1856, naming several of
his children and grandchildren. Henry Bennett died in November 1859. His
will was probated November 29, 1859. Henry & Elenor are both buried in the
cemetery East and North of Hartstown, So. Shenango Twp. In 1989, Elenor's grave
marker was readable in Row IX, #27, S. Shenango Cemetery. There is a sandstone
marker in #26, eroded, but could be that of husband, Henry. Elenor's tombstone
was broken and laying flat on the ground in May 1993. The Family of Henry Bennett & Elenor Thompson Notes for Henry Bennett Bennett Records 1800's | |
Samuel Bennett | Samuel Bennett was born on January 16, 1783
in Bald Eagle Twp, Northumberland Co., PA. His father William is listed
on tax records in Northumberland Co., PA from 1778-1787. There is a male the right
age group to be Samuel, age 7, in the household of Wm Bennitt on the 1790 census
of Northumberland Co., PA. In 1798, when Samuel was age 15, his family moved to
the area of Alleghany Co., PA that became Crawford Co., PA in 1800. I have not
found them on the 1800 census at this time, but Samuel's father and brothers are
mentioned in books on Crawford Co., PA history as being there at that time. Samuel
Bennett died in 1803 in Crawford Co., PA. Samuel is shown as deceased on the
1803 tax roll, and his lands were assessed to his brother Anthony Bennett. Letters
of administration on his estate were issued to Anthony Bennett on Nov. 17, 1803,
and the bondsmen were Anthony and Henry Bennett and Moses Scott. In an 1817 Crawford
County land record concerning the land where Samuel had lived, it states that
Samuel died intestate and that his heirs are Robert, Anthony & Henry Bennett,
Isaac Wright Collins with his wife Margaret, James Mason, and heirs of Nancy Bridgens,
nee Bennett. Since Samuel's siblings are listed as being his heirs, it is assumed
that he did not have a wife or children when he died. Notes for Samuel Bennett Bennett Records 1800's | |
Marjery Bennett | Marjery Bennett was born about 1784 in Northumberland
Co., PA. Her father William is listed on tax records in Northumberland Co.,
PA from 1778-1787. There is a female who could be Margery, age 3-6, in the household
of Wm Bennitt on the 1790 census of Northumberland Co., PA. Margery moved to Alleghany
Co., PA in 1798 with her parents and some of her brothers, and the area they settled
in became Crawford Co., PA in 1800. I have not found them on the 1800 census at
this time, but Marjery's father and brothers are mentioned in books on Crawford
Co., PA history as being there at that time. Marjery married James Mason
about 1802, and they had at least 5 children. James Mason is listed as head of
household on the 1810 census of Shenango, Crawford Co., PA with a wife (Marjery)
age 16-26. Marjery Bennett Mason died on May 22, 1816 in Shenango, Crawford
Co., PA. She is buried in the South Shenango Cemetery, Crawford Co., PA, and
her tombstone says that she was age 33 when she died. James Mason is listed on
the 1820 census, and still has wife age 26-45, so he remarried (unless the death
date I have for Margery is incorrect. She definitely died before 1827.) When Margery's
brother Samuel died in 1827, his siblings were his heirs, and James Mason is listed
as inheriting Margery's portion. James is listed on the 1830 census of South Shenango,
Crawford Co., PA with a wife age 50-59. James Mason died on December 04, 1843,
probably in Crawford Co., PA. He is also buried in the South Shenango Cemetery,
Crawford Co., PA. Children of James Mason & Marjery Bennett are: Martha (1803),
William Bennett (1805), Alexander (1807), John (1808) & Jacob (1812). Notes for Marjery Bennett Mason | |
Elizabeth Bennett | Elizabeth Bennett was born about 1786 in
Bald Eagle Twp, Northumberland Co., PA. Her father William is listed on tax
records in Northumberland Co., PA from 1778-1787. There is a female that could
be Elizabeth, age 4, in the household of Wm Bennitt on the 1790 census of Northumberland,
PA. In 1798, when Elizabeth was about age 12, her family moved to the area of
Alleghany Co., PA that became Crawford Co., PA in March 1800. I have not found
them on the 1800 census at this time, but Eliabeth's father and brothers are mentioned
in books on Crawford Co., PA history as being there at that time. Elizabeth married
Hugh Gilliland sometime before 1827, but there is some question as to when.
There is a female age 16-26 who could be Elizabeth, age 24, in the household of
William Bennett on the 1810 census of Shenango, Crawford Co., PA, but Hugh Gilleland
Jr is also listed as head of household that same year on the census of Coniotte,
Crawford Co., PA with a wife age 16-26 and 4 daughters under 10. Hugh Gilliland
is listed on the 1820 census of Fallowfield, Crawford Co., PA with a wife age
26-45 (Elizabeth would be 34), and eight daughters under age 16. A ninth daughter
was born in 1822. On October 31, 1827, "Elizabeth Gilliland wife of Hugh
Gulliland, of Coniatt twp, of Crawford County, Pennsylvania, late Elizabeth Bennett"
was deeded a 9 acre tract in South Shenango Twp that was next to 400 acres that
were in the estate of Matthew Gamble, deceased. Hugh Gilliland is listed on the
1830 & 1840 censuses of Summerhill, Crawford Co., PA, with a wife in both
households the right age to be Elizabeth. The 1840 census also adds a male age
5-9 (born 1831-1835) who is probably a son of Hugh and Elizabeth. Elizabeth signed
a land deed in 1847, so she was still alive at that time. The 9 acres Elizabeth
was deeded in 1827 was assessed to Hugh Gilliland for taxes until he died in 1848.
Hugh died on October 4, 1848 in Crawford Co., PA, and his land in Summit Twp (formed
from Summerhill in 1843) was divided up by "Hugh Gillilands"s heirs".
In 1849 and 1850, the land was taxed to "Gilliland, Elizabeth (heirs)."
I have not found Elizabeth in 1850 at this time. In 1851, half of the 9 acres
Elizabeth got in 1827 were sold to John Collins by Henry & Anthony Bennett,
and Margaret Bennett Collins. In 1852, the other half of the 9 acres, purportedly
belonging to Elizabeth Gilliland were sold to the same John P. Collins at a tax
sale. If Elizabeth was deceased by 1851, the fact that Elizabeth's siblings, and
not the Gilliland children, were selling her land at that time would seem to indicate
that her siblings were her heirs - which would only be the case if she did not
have suriviving children. This would mean that any suriviving children of Hugh
Gilliland in 1851 were not Elizabeth's children. It is possible that both Hugh
and Elizabeth had previous spouses. Elizabeth Bennett Gilliland died sometime
after 1847, and probably before 1849 in Crawford Co., PA. Notes for Elizabeth Bennett Gilliland | |
Margaret Bennett | Margaret Bennett was born on June 21, 1787 in Bald
Eagle Twp, Northumberland Co., PA. Her father William is listed on tax records
in Northumberland Co., PA from 1778-1787. There is a female that could be Margaret,
age 3, in the household of Wm Bennitt on the 1790 census of Northumberland, PA.
In 1798, when Margaret was about age 12, her family moved to the area of Alleghany
Co., PA that became Crawford Co., PA in March 1800. I have not found them on the
1800 census at this time, but Margaret's father and brothers are mentioned in
books on Crawford Co., PA history as being there at that time. Margaret married
Isaac Wright Collins in January 1802, probably in Crawford Co., PA, and
they had 11 children. The family is listed on the 1810 & 1820 censuses of
Shenango, Crawford Co., PA. Isaac served in the War of 1812. The family is listed
on the 1830 & 1840 censuses of North Shenango Co., PA. Isaac W. Collins died
on Sept 27, 1846 in North Shenango, Crawford Co., PA. Margaret is listed at age
65 in the household of her married son Robert on the 1850 census of North Shenango,
Crawford Co., PA. Margaret Bennett Collins died on May 12, 1854 in North Shenango,
Crawford Co., PA. Isaac & Margaret are both buried in the Wilson Cemetery,
Espyville, Crawford Co., PA. Notes for Margaret Bennett Collins |