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Bennett Heritage

James Thomas Bennett

Death Living

        

 

 

         Birth 17 Aug 1870 in Fariforest, Spartanburg, SC, USA

         Death 19 Mar 1948 in Fairforest, Spartanburg, SC, USA

Funeral services for James Thomas Bennett, 77, of Greer Route 1 will be held Sunday afternoon at 3pm at J F Floyd Mortuary. Burial will be held at Sunset Memorial Gardens.
Mr Bennett a retired Spartanburg County merchant

James Thomas was married twice.  First to Nannie Riddle, who died in 1910, and second to Tennie Pearson, who lived until 1976.

·        Mrs Nancy (Riddle) Bennett, wife of James Bennett died at her home near Fairforest. Tuesday afternoon after a short illness.The funeral was held yesterday morning at Fairforest church conducted by Rev Mr Aiken interment followed in the churchyard.  *

* I wonder if Rev Aiken is a brother/uncle/cousin of Carolyn Aiken.

 

 

A city directory in 19>>  shows he owned a grocery store and filling station on Whitney Road near the city limits.

 

 

·      Benjamin Wofford Bennett  

Birth June 18, 1846 in Spartanburg Co, Sc 

Death Living

Death Dec 2, 1914 in Fairforest, Sc

Eulogy:

On the letterhead of Fairforest Baptist Church:  J.P. Aiken*, Pastor Fairforest, SC ___ 1914

* curious to know if this pastor is related to Caroline Aiken Bennet, his wife.

(Copy of handwritten talk probably used at a memorial service– the text was composed sometime after Carolyn Aiken died which was two months after Benjamin Wofford Bennett died) transcribed by Jan Bennett Bates Illegible words = xxxxx Bold type added for genealogical information)

“ This lovable man was born in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, June 18, 1846. His father was Captain William Bennett, and his mother’s maiden name was Pattie Wofford, the daughter of Joseph Wofford. Like many others of our most substantial citizens, he grew up in a country neighborhood with few advantages, but it was a good stock from which he came. From his noble parents he inherited traits of sincerity, honesty and steady convictions of purpose. His noble father and venerable mother have long preceded him to the heavenly home.

Reared amid pious influences and bearing the name of an honored pioneer, it was not strange that in his early life he should be drawn to the consideration of religious things and so at an early age he professed faith in Christ and joined the Old Friendship Baptist Church, the church of his father, and his religious life was henceforth marked by strong convictions, earnestness and energy which have marked his life in other respects. His simple and beautiful Christian character and life were his chief adornments. He loved all Christians, especially those of his own faith and was ever ready to serve them in any way open unto him. His face invited your confidence and trust. In many quiet ways he helped and showed the needy and sorrowing.

As a boy he loved his home with an intense affection and it was always a pleasure for him to carry whatever of the burdens of his parents he could. When he became a man this filial spirit never departed from him.

During the closing years of the civil war he accompanied the seventeen year old boys of his country who went to the front to bare this xxxxx upon the battle line and shared with them the discomforts of the camp and march and stood with them in the throes of combat.

At the age of 21 in the year 1867 he married Caroline Aiken, the daughter of another sturdy pioneer, Thomas Aiken, and as a result of this union a large family of children sprang, namely, Lula Lee,  James Thomas, William Edward, Martha Lou Ellen, Pemberton Alexander, John Mulinax, Candace Virginia, Carrie Farrar , Benjamin Wofford Jr, and Alfred Golightly. The last named of these children died in infantcy, 1890 William Edward, died at the age of 40 in the year 1912 have never married. Lulu Lee married R.T. Riddle in the year 1889 and died in the year 1911 age 43 leaving three children. All the other children are living, married and have families of their own. He was a man remarkably fond of children and he took great delight in them and they in turn in him. It cost him no apparent effort to entertain them, and they always enjoyed his presence. The relation of a father to his children represents a sphere of influence peculiar to instill. No one had a keener appreciation of these delicate relations or made more unselfish efforts to fulfill the various obligations arising in connection with them, than the subject of this sketch. Little aid they know in this early years how much of his daily thought and life was spent for them, but they doubtless look back now and see much that causes their hearts to swell with gratitude. His children will never get away from the influence of his worthy life. They may well rejoice that such a light has been in their home and such an example constantly before their eyes. He was always fond of music and loved to sing the songs of Zion as but few ever aid. He was known far and near for his musical talents and recognized as a leader in the musical realms of Christian song. Christianity is a religion of song. Unbelief does not sing. The skeptical spirit is destructor of song. It is faith, hope and love that sings, doubt never does. He loved to sing as only a Christian can. As a neighbor and citizen he was loved and respected by all who knew him, and few men among us were better know or more highly regarded as more highly trusted than he. His departure from this life on Dec. 2, 1914, at the age of 68, made a profound impression upon all who had come to know him. When once he fell a victim to pneumonia with the complication of other physical troubles, little hope remained of his recovery. He struggle for life with his iron will and native force, but was throughout the struggle submissive to God’s will. He fell asleep in Jesus with the peace of God in his heart and a smile of joy on his face. His wife, his dear life companion born June 8^th , 1844 followed him to the heavenly home on Feb 20, 1915, just two months and 18 days after his departure, the victim of the same dread disease at the ripe age of 70. A mother in Israel loved by husband, children, relatives and friends, having embodied in her life the beautiful Christian graces, and in a special manner those of self sacrifice, patience and service; a woman full of faith and good works. She died as she lived at peace with God and all mankind; blessed henceforth. The children of this noble pair and all who loved them everywhere mourn them, but our sorrow is chastened by the recollection of what they were and what they always will be to our people. Their remains lie in the church yard of the Oak Grove Baptist Church, some five miles west of Spartanburg City. As the years pass on the family will find this grief assuaged by the kindly ministry of time, while this joy in the life and character of these departed loved ones will increase as they learn to appreciate more and more the battles they fought and the victories they won. Their works remain and will remain. The impress of their noble lives will be with us through the years, while the remembrances of them shall strengthen us for all toils and sufferings, and this victory will help us to overcome the world. Who will take their places? No one, they filled their places on earth worthily and well, and have gone to take their places in the ranks of the redeemed. Their work is done; Let us do ours the more faithfully because of our love and reverence for them. And soon for us shall life’s toil and xxxxx be ended, and on the father shore, by the banks of that river whose streams made glad the city of God, “we shall join with them and with all the faithful ones who have gone before in the grand hallelujah chorus of redemption; …. “

History of Spartanburg Co by J.B.O. Landrum, P 718   McBeth’s Light Artillery Buglar – Joseph W. Bennett Private – Benjamin W Bennett   Probably fought in the Second Battle of Manassas, Virginia

 

William Bennett was born ca 1808 in Spartanburg and he died there Aug 1887. He married Martha Wofford, dau of Joseph, Jr and Jane Huckabee Wofford, granddaughter of Captain Joseph and Martha Llewelyn Wofford. She was b 12 July 1811 and d 26 Sep 1883.

According to History of the Wofford Family by Mrs. Jane Wofford Wait, "Martha Wofford, the eldest daughter of Joe Jr. and Jane Huckabee Wofford, married William Bennett. She was better known by all as Aunt Patty Bennett. She was a genuine, good, Christian woman, abounding in good works. The very poor always found a good friend and keeper in Aunt Patty. Her husband, Uncle Billy, as everyone called him, was a whole-souled man, a consistent member of the Baptist Church, while his wife was a Methodist. Together, they lived a happy life, both hospitable to a degree beyond their means. He loved hunting and was an excellent marksman and an adept angler.

They were both beloved by their neighbors and friends, and many mourned their loss. Their influence for good is felt among their acquaintances even until today. They reared a large, creditable and interesting family.

 The famous Roebuck Band was so called in honor of Captain Roebuck, who had fought so valiantly at Kings Mt. and elsewhere in the Revolution. The leader of this band deserves more than a passing notice. His name was William Bennett, but he was better known as Buck Bennett. His ancestry was good old Revolutionary stock. He was as well or better known at this time than any man in the southern section of Spartanburg County. Full of good old frolicky fun, he loved music, taught singing schools for many miles around, was a leader in the Friendship Baptist Church, an expert with gun and rod, he killed the first partridge on the wing that I ever saw fall. He and Aunt Patty were as hospitable a couple as 1 have ever seen. They both lived to a ripe old age. This Roebuck Band was composed of several members,  Joseph W. Bennett (his son) among them. The music they used was Rig Ship, Winnsboro Quickstep, Faster's Quickstep, Washington Quickstep, LaFayette's Quickstep, and Home, Sweet Home Quickstep.

 

They wore a uniform patterned somewhat after the old Continental style, and surely looked imposing as they marched from point to point on the muster ground with the military step, blowing their instruments and beating their drums with such earnestness of purpose. The National Marina Band of the most noted musicians of any age never held or entertained an audience with sweeter music better than they did at these annual gatherings."

James Bennett Jr 1787 - 1866

, Spartanburg Co, SC

James Bennett was a son of James and Sarah Bennett. He was born 10 March 1787 in Spartanburg, S.C.

He was married three times,

1st to Precious (maybe Wofford, dau of John)

2nd to Delilah (probably West)

and 3rd to Malissa who is named as his wife in his estate record.

  James died ca 1866 in Spartanburg.

 

His children were:

1. William Bennett b 1808.

2. Mary Bennett b 1818 m John E. Casey

3. Sarah Bennett b 1830 m Mansel G. Moore and lived in Gordon Co., GA

   i. Elmira J. Moore b 1860 m her cousin, Benjamin Wofford 11

      Jan 1885 in Gordon Co., GA a son of Isaac and Jane Wofford.

      They had a son, Grover Cleveland Wofford, b 8 Nov 1887.

  ii. Amanda Moore b 1867 married William T. Wofford 3 June 1886 in Gordon  Co., GA; son of John W. Wofford and Nancy Inlow; grandson of Isaaac and Jane Wofford.

4. Berryman Bennett b 1834 in Spartanburg Co., SC. He died in the he died in the Civil War.

5. West Bennett b 1840 in Spartanburg Co., SC. He died in the Civl War.

 

James Bennett , Sr  ____ - 1825

James Bennett orphan ...1767 , Bute County, NC  Minutes of Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions 1767-1779

On motion James Bennett orphan of Richard Bennett came into Court and made choice of Soloman Langston his Guardian with Francis Capps and Richard Bennett entered into and Executed a bond for that purpose.

 (Soloman Langston  - was James brother-in-law and Richard Bennett is his older brother.)  

 

Richard Bennett

 

Born Ca 1715 Isle Of Wight Co, Va

Died 1764 Bute Co, NC (Will)

(M) Ann (MNU) Ca 1740-1
Children: NOT in Order
1. Christian (M) Absolum Langston, (s/o John Langston/Mary "Ann" Mangum)**
2. Sarah (M) Solomon Langston, (s/o John Langston/Mary "Ann" Mangum)
3. Martha
4. Ann
5. Amey (M) John Capps (Warren Co, NC Records)
6. Richard, Jr (M) Dtr of John Smart
(Granville Deed of 1761-John Smart to S-I-L Richard Bennett,,Jr)
7. Mark (M) Jemima Smart
8. William
9. Moses
10. James (Was Und 21 yrs when father died 1764- too young to be s/o man born Ca 1700-sgs