( If you use a Google or Bing map and look up Burwell's Bay, VA.... then look for Bailey Ave, Smithfield, VA... you will be stunned to see how close we lived to Burwell's Bay. Nearly 400 years after Thomas Bennett lived there.)
Thomas Bennett was the first Puritan Governor of Virginia in 1652 Bennett’s Plantation situated on the Rock Wharf on the present Burwell’s Bay, was patented 11/21/1621 by Edward Bennett, a rich London merchant in partnership with his brother, Robert Bennett, and his nephew, Richard Bennett.
Richard Bennett became the first Puritan governor of VA in 1652. Thomas Bennett must have come to America before 1624, prior to Governor Bennett’s arrival. (The Mangums of VA, NC, SC, GA, AL, MS, TN, ARK, TX, UT, by John T Palmer, PhD, Santa Rosa, CA 95409 p. 3) The Bennetts came to America on the “Sea Flower” in 1622. (The Mangums of VA, NC, SC, GA, AL, MS, TN, ARK, TX, UT, by John T Palmer, PhD, Santa Rosa, CA 95409 p. 3)
Richard Bennett (1625-1709) of Isle of Wight was probably a son of Thomas and Alice Bennett who were residing on the south side of the James River near Lawne’s Creek in 1624. (Seventeenth Century Isle of Wight Co, VA, by John Bennett Boddie p.289) 10/4/1624, Alice Bennett was a witness before the General Court at the trial of John Proctor for cruelty to his servants. She was sworn and examined as to the beating of Elizabeth Abbott, serving maid of Mr Proctors, and state that she “found her by the waterside by Mr Burrow’s plantation lying behind a boat wrapped in a rug. whereupon this examinat, with Her Husband and Richard Richards carryed her and delivered her to her master. Anthony Barham swore that “he saw Mr Proctor strike Elias Hinton on e of his servants. (VA Mag., 19, p389) (Seventeenth Century Isle of Wight Co, VA, by John Bennett Boddie p.289)
It seems that Thomas Bennett’s wife, Alice, was formerly the widow of one Pierce, for at General Court in October, 1624, “Elizabeth Pierce chose her father in law (step father), Thomas Bennett, as her guardian”. (VA Mag 20, p155). She was unmarried then because John Filmer to who she was engaged had just died and left all his property to her. This was the reason for her choosing a guardian. It is probably that this Elizabeth Pierce afterwards married Anthony Barham. (Seventeenth Century Isle of Wight Co, VA, by John Bennett Boddie p.290)
General Court held November 1, 1624, Jamestown, George Fadom reported that "about the 4th of July last past", he had written a will for John Philimore(Filmer), who "signed and sealed it". But when Phillimore died the will could not be found. Fadom testified that "said Phillimore did give all of his estate to Elizabeth (Pierse) to whom he was assured and meant to have marriage".
One Sully, to whom Fadom had read the will, also said that Phillimore had bequeathed to said Elizabeth all of his "goods, lands and Chattells". Others also gave testimony. Whereupon the court ordered that the guardianship and administration of the lands and goods of John Phillimore be granted to "any friende whome the said Elizabeth Peerce shal choose to her use." Elizabeth "made choyce of Thomas Bennett, her father in law(stepfather). (Minutes of the Court, 27) (Submitted by Barham researcher: Bill Barham
Thomas Bennett was a Member of the House of Burgesses as he represented Mulberry Island in 1632 (Burgess Journals 1619-59, p. xiii) Apr...Justinian Cooper, Gent.,to Alice Bennett, widow, for 1 calf and 1 barrel of corn...150 acres between Castle Creek and Cypress Swamp and bounded by Stocker. Justinian Cooper (ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY VIRGINIA DEEDS 1647-1719, COURT ORDERS1693-1695 and GUARDIAN ACCOUNTS 1740-1767 abstracts by William Lindsay Hopkins, p.1:2)
Will of Anthony Barham of Mulberry Island, VA 9/13/1641 - mentions: Wife Elizabeth, daug Elizabeth, mother Bennett 5 pounds; brother in law Richard Bennett 5 pounds, sister Mrs Mary Duke, sister Groves 40s, friend Edward Major; gossip William Butler, Mrs Joane Pierce wife of Mr William Pierce, god daug Sara Butler d/o Wm Butler (NEGR Vol 42 p393) June 10, 1642, George Hardy received a grant of 300 acres on the easternmost side of Lawne’s Creek adjacent to Alice Bennett (Seventeenth Century Isle of Wight Co, VA, by John Bennett Boddie p 293) Jun 19, 1642, John Stocker patented 200 acres adjoining Mr Hardy’s land and the widow Bennett. (Seventeenth Century Isle of Wight Co, VA, by John Bennett Boddie p293) Apr 2, 1644
Alice Bennett purchased 150 acres from her neighbor Justinian Cooper for a cow and a calf and a barrel of corn. (Seventeenth Century Isle of Wight Co, VA, by John Bennett Boddie p293) 19 Jul 1647...Alice Bennett to Mary Jackson and Sarah Jackson, the daughters of Richard Jackson...150 acres of land.
Alice(X)Bennett (ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY VIRGINIA DEEDS 1647-1719, COURT ORDERS1693-1695 and GUARDIAN ACCOUNTS 1740-1767 abstracts by William Lindsay Hopkins) Jul 17, 1648 Capt George Hardy patented 500 acres “lying on east side of Lawne’s Creeke extending to main river and along the great river to a creek dividing the same from land of Alice Bennett.” (Seventeenth Century Isle of Wight Co, VA, by John Bennett Boddie, p.293) Col Arthur Smith in 1666 made a deed to land at “Blackwater” inherited by his wife Sarah Jackson from her grandmother Alice Bennett. (Seventeenth Century Isle of Wight Co, VA, by John Bennett Boddie, p.294)
Jun 19, 1666 Capt George Hardy made a deed to land which belonged to his wife Mary who he refers to as the “daughter of Richard Jackson, dec.” (Seventeenth Century Isle of Wight Co, VA, by John Bennett Boddie, p294)
Richard Bennett resided at Blackwater in the vicinity of the plantations of Justinian Cooper and Francis England, in 1669 Thomas Wood, “son of Arthur Wood, and Sarah Wooten his mother, relict of Arthur deceased,” deeded him land and in the deed he is mentioned as “Richard Bennett of Blackwater.” (Seventeenth Century Isle of Wight Co, VA, by John Bennett Boddie, p.294) 1682, Richard Bennett patented 600 acres in the Lower Parish of Surry Co, bounded by the land of Francis Mason, William Edwards and the Hollybush Swamp, for the transportation of thirteen person, his name not being among those mentioned. As he did not receive any land for his own transportation it seems therefore that he was born in VA (Seventeenth Century Isle of Wight Co, VA, by John Bennett Boddie, p.294)
“Richard Bennett, ye elder of the Upper Parish of Isle of Wight with the free will and consent of my wife Anne, have for a valuable consideration to me in hand paid before the sealing, grant unto George Morrell of Lawne’s Creek Parish in the County of Surry, 150 acres situate on the west side of Pacatink Swamp in Surry, the same parcel of land being part of a patent for 630 acres to me granted the 22 July 1682 - near Mr Thos. Binns (Deed Book 2, p 30-31) 8/30/1694 Richard Bennett Sr of Isle of Wight made a deed of gift to Ann Bell, “the now wife of John Bell, Lately Ann Bennett, daughter of Richard Bennett, Jr., of Isle of Wight.” (Surry W & D Book 1693-1707) Sep 4, 1694, Richard Bennett made a gift of 200 acres on the west side of Pocatink Swamp to his son James Bennett of the Lower Parish of Surry Co. (Deeds 1694-1709, p18) 5/25/1695 Richard Bennett Sr of the Upper Parish of Isle of Wight Co, VA deeded 100 acres of land to John Mingham of the lower parish of Surry Co, VA. (The Mangums of VA, by John T Palmer, PhD, Santa Rosa, CA 95409 p. 3) July 5, 1699, Richard Bennett of Upper Parish of Isle of Wight deed to his “son and heir” Richard Bennett, Jr of the same parish “all right and title in land that belonged to Edward Jones then taking in plantation Richard Bennett now lives, being part of land bought of William Miles in 1656” (Book 1688-1704, p.292)
James Bennett is mentioned as “godson” in the will of Joyce Cripps, wife of George Cripps and former wife of Rancis England 4/8/1679. (Seventeenth Century Isle of Wight Co, VA, by John Bennett Boddie, p.296) 10/20/1707 - John Mangum was a witness to the will of John Person, the testator mentions John’s wife, Frances Mangum and son, John. (The Mangums of VA, NC, SC, GA, AL, MS, TN, ARK, TX, UT, by John T Palmer, PhD, Santa Rosa, CA 95409 p. 3) 8/19/1718 James Bennett was deeded from Charles Binns, his neighbor, the neck of land between Pocatink and Bridge Swamps containing 90 acres, (W & D 1715-30 p.139) James willed this tract to his son William (Seventeenth Century Isle of Wight Co, VA, by John Bennett Boddie, p.296) Alice Pierse was the widow of Thomas Pierse. Thomas Pierse was slain at the Indian Massacre of 3/26/1721-22 at Martin’s Hundred.
Thomas Bennett & Alice Pierse, her fourth marriage, had one child, Richard Bennett, Sr. (The Mangums of VA, NC, SC, GA, AL, MS, TN, ARK, TX, UT, by John T Palmer, PhD, Santa Rosa, CA 95409 p. 4) Richard Bennett - inventory of his estate was recorded 1/21/1735. His personal property was appraised at 51 pounds by James Washington, Wm Evans and Thomas Bell. (Seventeenth Century Isle of Wight Co, VA, by John Bennett Boddie, p.301) 9/26/1737 - John Mangum’s estate was appraised in Isle of Wight Co, VA and recorded 11/28/1737. The appraisal was made by John Davis, Edward Brantly, and Joseph Ward and was signed by Frances Mangum. John Mangum had been living in Lower Parish, Surry Co, VA with the Bennett family. (The Mangums of VA, NC, SC, GA, AL, MS, TN, ARK, TX, UT, by John T Palmer, PhD, Santa Rosa, CA 95409 p. 3) Benjamin patented 180 acres in Brunswick on both side of Stephen Creek in 1750, (Bk. 29, p. 264) and together with his brother, Reuben, patented 263 acres September 26, 1761. (Bk. 33, p. 958) On the 25th of May, 1770, Benjamin and Sarah, his wife, along with Reuben and his wife, Mary, of Brunswick deeded William Brown of Prince George, "332 acres left Reuben Bennett by last will and testament of James Bennett, his father; the residue being granted to Reuben Bennett by patent 26 September, 1761." (Judge Huxford's "Pioneers of Wiregrass Georgia") 10/25/1764 William Bennett and Sarah, his wife, sold to Samuel Warren 47 acres on which they now live being part of a tract sold by Charles Binns to James Bennett, 8/19/1718 (Deeds 8, p.239) 12/1/1768 Thomas Bennett joined with his uncle Samuel in deeding 245 acres entailed to him and Samuel in his grandfather’s will. (Seventeenth Century Isle of Wight Co, VA, by John Bennett Boddie, p.297) John Welch’s will - Isle of Wight, 2/1/1769 - leaves estate to wife for life and after her death same is to go to William, Jesse, Thomas, and Edmund Bennett, sons of his sister Sarah Bennett (Book 8, p.127, Valentine Papers, p.600) 5/25/1770 Benjamin Bennett and Sarah his wife, Reuben Bennett and Mary his wife, of Brunswick, deeded William Brown of Prince George, “332 acres left Reuben Bennett by last will and testament of James Bennett his father, the residue being granted to Reuben Bennett by patent 9/26/1761”. (Seventeenth Century Isle of Wight Co, VA, by John Bennett Boddie, p.304) Feb 1779 - William Bennett, orphan of William Bennett, Dec. made choice of Charles Judkins as guardian. (Orders, 1775-1782 p.80) Jun 28, 1785 Ann Bennett widow, relict of Jesse Bennett, dec., and Sarah, Martha, Samuel, and James Bennett complain against William Bennett, son and heir at law of Jesse Bennett. (Orders, 1785) Elizabeth Bennett who probably married Francis Young, County Court Clerk of Isle of Wight. While her husband was away in the army during the Revolution, she heard that Tarleton’s Raiders were coming to destroy the Court House, so she buried the records in an old hair trunk. (Seventeenth Century Isle of Wight Co, VA, by John Bennett Boddie, p.298) SMITH COUNTY, TNd*This indenture made the 28th of Aug one thousand & sixteen between JOHN M. BENNETT of the county of Smith & State aforesaid of their part I BENJAMIN BENNETT of the county of Smith & State aforesaid of the their part Witness that the said JOHN M. BENNETT for and consideration of the sum of one hundred and fifteen dollars to him on hand pa id by the said BENJAMIN BENNETT the recipt whereof he do himself actknowledge himself ? sales for have granded, bargained & sold & by those presents granted, bargain & sold to the side BENJAMIN BENNETT his heirs & assigns forever ten acres of land lying & being in Smith County State of Tennessee on the North fork of Dismal Creek a branch of Smith Fork of the Creeks fork of Cumberland River Beginning at a beech on the south side of said Creek running thence North twenty eight & six tenths poles to a beech thence West fifty six poles to Backeye & beech on each side of a path thence south twenty eight six tenth poles to an ash thence East fifty six poles to the beginning to have & to hold the said ten acres of land unto the said BENJAMIN BENNETT his heirs & ? forever & that JOHN M. BENNETT do for himself, his heirs Executors as much as ????? & & permission ? part through with this ????? said BENJAMIN BENNETT his heirs & asigns forever against the claim In Witness Witnessed, Sealed & delivered in presence of us WILLIAM BENNETT, JOHN HICKS, REUBEN JOHNSON, JOHN YEARGIN, WILLIAM ?, THOMAS COOPWOOD*JOHN M. BENNETT (seal)
(I need to print this and divide it into paragraphs. I received it as one long paragraph.)
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