The Family Garden

Notes

Thomas BENNETT

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.
Source:  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.
*Source:  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.
*Source:  Seventeenth Century Isle of Wight Co, VA, by John Bennett Boddie p.289

Thomas Bennett was a Member of the House of Burgesses as he represented Mulberry Island in 1632
*Source:  (Burgess Journals 1619-59, p. xiii

Thomas Bennett was born in Wilvescombe, Co., Somerset, England, and died in Virginia after 1632, having come on the Neptune in 1618, a member of the House of Burgesses from Mulberry Island in 1632.
*Source:  Wurt’s Magna Charta, John S. Wurts, Germantown, PA, 1947, p. 2133

Thomas Bennett was an immigrant from England. He is claimed in 1635 as a head right by Richard Bennett who later became the governor of the Virginia Colony in the 1650's. The 1624 muster roll of the Virginia Colony identifies two Thomas Bennett's one with wife Mary and the other with wife Margery. One of these was the mother of Thomas' son Richard Bennett. Thomas Bennett resided near Lawne's Creek on the South side of the James River in 1624. He was a member of the House of Burgesses representing Mulberry island in 1632.

The second wife of our Thomas Bennett was Alice Pierce, widow of Thomas Pierce. Thomas Pierce was the Sergeant at Arms of the first legislative assembly of Virginia which met on 07/30/1619. He had arrived on the "William and Thomas" which sailed for Virginia in August of 1618. This ship was a "magazine ship", containing supplies for the colony. He apparently traveled with his wife Alice and daughter Elizabeth. Thomas appears to have been a relative of Lt. William Pierce, of the Seaventure (1609), who served under Yeardly, Captain of the Governor's Company of soldiers. Later William Pierce was Lt. Governor in 1629 and a member of the Virginia Council in 1631. His daughter Jane Pierce was the third wife of John Rolfe. Thomas Pierce established the next plantation south of Martin's Hundred along the upper side of the James River. On 03/22/1621/2 the Indians attacked throughout the colony. Thomas Pierce , his wife, child, two other men and a French boy were officially reported as killed at this plantation. Edward Pierce, "Merchantaylor of London" and Ann, his sister, petitioned for administration of his estate on 10/02/1622. However, Alice and her daughter apparently survived the attack, and it is thought they were two of the twenty captives that were ransomed from the Indians. The only other of these twenty who have been identified are Mrs. Boyce and Jane Dickenson, both widows of men slain at Martin's Hundred. These captives were held for 10 months. The colonists, unable to recapture these women by pursuit, destroyed all of the Indian cornfields in retaliation, reducing the Indians and their captives to starvation. Chanco, the Indian convert, who had given the alarm to Jamestown in advance of the Indian attack, negotiated the release of the captives, in return for promises that the Indian fields would not be destroyed and for beads given in trade.

By 10/10/1624 Alice had married Thomas Bennett. She was a witness against John Proctor for cruelty to a serving maid named Elizabeth Abbott, on 10/04/1624. Alice's daughter Elizabeth Pierce names her father-in-law Thomas Bennett in a power of attorney filed in 1624.
*Source:  Seventeenth Century, Isle of Wight County, Virginia; by John Bennett Boddie, Chicago Law Printing Company, Chicago.

Thomas BENNETT, and his wife Alice (Widow Pierce) were living near Lawne's Creek in Isle of Wight Co., Virginia in 1624, for on October 10, of that year she testified before the General Court in a trial of John Proctor, her neighbor charged with cruelty to his servants. At the same trial her second husband is identified as Thomas BENNETT, etc. Thomas BENNETT was born in Wivelscombe, Co. Somerset, England, having come on the Neptune in 1618, a member of the House of Burgesses from Mulberry Island in 1632. In records of Isle of Wight County, Virginia, these Land Grants are found: Richard Young, 350 acres, November 25, 1636, up the river side from the great Indian field, etc., from transportation of seven person: Henry SNEALE, Elizabeth SNEALE his wife, and Elizabeth, John, Dorothy, Alice and Mary SNEALE. The following year Henry SNAILE was granted 50 acres November 23, 1637, north on Pagan Creek, etc. Due by assignment of the right of one servant called William Taylor from Lt. John Upton. John and Elizabeth SNEALE (SNAYLE) had daughter Alice who married second Thomas BENNETT whose daughter Alice, married second John HARDY. Their son, John HARDY, Jr. married Rebecca, surname unknown and their daughter, Mary HARDY married , first, Col. John Hinton."
*Source:  Family Lines and Kindred Line by Adelle Harper

Alice (BENNETT)

Richard Young, 350 acres in the county of Warwicksquicke, up the river, southwest from a place called the "Great Indian Field," and adjoining Thomas Jordan's land.  Due for the transportation of seven persons: Henry Sneale, Elizabeth Sneale his wife, John Sneale, Dorothy Sneale, Alice Sneale, Mary Sneale.  Nov. 26, 1636.
Henry Snaile, Nov. 23, 1637, 50 acres Bounded Northerly upon the creek called Pagan creek.
*Source:  Isle of Wight County VA - Records; William and Mary College Qrtly, Vol. 7, No. 4, P. 250-296

... Henry Snaile was granted 50 acres November 23, 1637, north of Pagan Creek, etc., Due by assignment of the right of one servant called William Taylor from Lt. John Upton

John and Elizabeth Sneale (Snayle) had daughter Alice who married second Thomas Bennett whose daughter Alice, married second John Hardy.
*Source:  Adventures of Purse and Person

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.
*Source: Seventeenth Century Isle of Wight Co, VA, by John Bennett Boddie p.290

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.
*Source: The Mangums of VA, NC, SC, GA, AL, MS, TN, ARK, TX, UT, by John T Palmer, PhD, Santa Rosa, CA 95409 p. 4

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.
*Source:  Seventeenth Century Isle of Wight Co, VA, by John Bennett Boddie p. 289

1.  Alice (-----) PIERCE BENNETT ith her (2) husband THOMAS BENNETT, was living near Lawne's Creek in present Isle of Wight County, 1624, for on 10 Oct of that year she testified before the General Count in a trial of her neighbor John Proctor who was charged with cruelty to her servents.  At the same trial her husband was identified as Thomas Bennett.  Alice had married (1) ------ Pierce as will be shown hereafter.  She was still residing near Lawne's Creek, 10 June 1642, when George Harding (Hardy) received a patenet "upon the eastermost side of Lawne's Creek adjoining Alice Bennett" and on 19 June that year John Stocker patented land adjoining Mr. Hardy's and "the Widdow Bennett".  

On 16 March 1642/3 Alice Bennett, widow, purchaed from Justinian Cooper "for a cow and a calf and a barrell of corn" 150 acres of land "between Castle Creek and a gut....north towards Stockers."  By deed of gift, of record 19 JUly 1647, she conveyed the aforesaid tract to her granddaughters Mary an Sarah Jackson, daughters of Richard Jackson.    

Issue: (by 1) [PIERCE] 2. ELIZABETH; (by 2) [BENNETT], 3. RICHARD

2.  ELIZABETH PIERCE, a minor, on 1 Nov 1624, "made Choyce of Thomas Bennet her father in law [step0father]" as her guardian to assume the "Guardianship And Administration of the lands and goods of John Phillmorr."  According to the testimony of George Fadom before the General Court on this occaision "he did wryghe A will for Jo: Phillimore wch was signed selaed and Deliud by the said John Phillimore about the 4th day of July last past in the presenc of Thomas Sulley and his wiefe, wch this Exam[inent] Did then Reade before them, wch said will is now missinge but the effect therof as this Examant remmbreth, was yt the said Phllimore did give all his estate to Elizabeth peer{ce} unto whom he was assured and meant to have maryed."
*Source:  Adventurers of Purse and Person, p. 488-489

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).
*Source:  VA Minutes of the Court, 27

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.
*Source:  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
*Source:  NEGR Vol 42 p 393]

June 10, 1642, George Hardy received a grant of 300 acres on the easternmost side of Lawne's Creek adjacent to Alice Bennett Jun 19, 1642, John Stocker patented 200 acres adjoining Mr Hardy's land and the widow Bennett. Apr 2, 1644 Alice Bennett purchased 150 acres from her neighbor Justinian Cooper for a cow and a calf and a barrel of corn.
*Source:  Seventeenth Century Isle of Wight Co, VA, by John Bennett Boddie p 293

19 Jul 1647...Alice Bennett to Mary Jackson and Sarah Jackson, the daughters of Richard Jackson...150 acres of land. Alice(X)Bennett
*Source:  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."
*Source:  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.
*Source:  Seventeenth Century Isle of Wight Co, VA, by John Bennett Boddie, p. 294

Richard BENNETT

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.
*Source:  Seventeenth Century Isle of Wight Co, VA, by John Bennett Boddie p.289

On November 21, 1621, Edward Bennett, a rich merchant of London, was granted a patent for a plantation upon the condition of settling two hundred emigrants. Associated with him in that patent were his brother, Robert Bennett, and his nephew, Richard Bennett, Thomas Ayres, Thomas Wiseman and Richard Wiseman; and in February, 1622, the "Sea Flower" arrived with one hundred and twenty settlers, under command of Captain Ralph Hamor, one of the Council. Among them were Rev. William Bennett and George Harrison, kinsmen of Edward Bennett. Their place of settlement was called Warrosquoyacke, or sometimes "Edward Bennett's Plantation.
*Source:  ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY, 1608 - 1907, by Col. E. M. Morrison
A Brief History of Isle of Wight County, Virginia;  Compiled for Distribution at the Jamestown Tercentenary Exposition.

Richard Bennett (d 1709 Isle of Wight Co VA) may have been the son of Thomas Bennett and Alice. In 1638 he patented 300A in Isle of Wight Co VA. He and John Coker were granted 1400A (undated). In 1656 he purchased land at Hickory Valley Branch from William Miles, and on 5Jul1699 made a gift of it to his son Richard. In 1682 he patented 630A at Lower Parish in Surry Co VA. He made his will 1709, naming his wife, children and stepchildren. The will was probated Feb 1710 at Isle of Wight Co VA. He m 1) Anne. Their children were:
Susanna m Daniel Lewis Jr
Martha m __ Lewis
Richard (d 1720 Upper Parish, Isle of Wight Co VA) m Elizabeth
 James (d 1752 Southwark Parish, Surry Co VA) m Mary Evans
Richard m 2) Sarah, widow of Daniel Lewis Sr.
*Source:  http://expage.com/page/eakbe