William BENNETT

• General Notes
  • Title: The Forefathers of Archibald Fowler Bennett Author: Archibald F. Bennett Publication: 1956, unpublished Note: Copy in possession of Meledie Duncan Gregory, Centerville, Utah
    Text: William Bennett, son of Rice Bennett and Sarh, was born about 1755, probably in Cumberland or Prince Edward Co.,Virginia. He was under twenty years of age when his father made his will, 5 Aug 1770; but on 24 May, 1773 he was a witness (Cumberland Co. Order Book, p.224). Since his oldest child was born in 1776, the date of William's birth can be closely approximated as above. It is the family tradition that he served in the Revolution, side by side with his brother, and that his brother was killed, but that William was with Washington at Yorktown, when Lord Cornwallis surrendered, thus virtually ending the war. It will be seen from the evidence submitted above that the brother John actually survived the war and was living in 1796. But his wife's uncle was killed in the Battle of Princeton. A number of William Bennetts served in the Virginia troops, but it is difficult to identify with certaintly the record of our ancestor. This entry, by the process of eliminating the other William Bennetts who served, appears most likely to relate to his record: William Bennett (Va.), Ensign of Grayson's Continental Regiment, 23rd July 1777, 2d Lieutenant, 1st Dec 1777; resigned 13th April 1778. (Reitman: Historical Register of Officers of the Continental Army, 1775-1783. p.100. He married, probably in 1775, Catherine Bernard or Barnett, daughter of William Bernard (also Barnett and Barnet) and Mary Fleming. Mary Fleming was the daughter of Major John Fleming (son of Charles Fleming and Susanna Tarleton) and Mary Bolling (daughter of John Bolling and Mary Kennon, and granddaughter of Col. Robert Bolling and Jane Rolfe. Jane was daughter of Thomas Rolfe, the son of John Rolfe and Pocahontas). This marriage in all probability occurred in Cumberland County, Virginia, but is not found of record, for about 60% of the Cumberland marriage bonds are missing. . .