Individual Notes
Note for: James S. Bennett, 26 AUG 1817 - 23 AUG 1903
Index
Individual Note: James S. Bennett was born in Bryan County, Aug. 26, 1817, son of Henry Bennett (Vol3). He was married in Ware Co. in 1840 to his cousin, Eliza Bennett, daughter of Richard A. Bennett. She was born Dec. 16, 1823, and died Sept. 11, 1885, at her home in western Pierce Co. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett had thirteen children. Mr. Bennett is shown in the 1850 and 1860 Census as living in Appling Co., in the portion now in Bacon Co. About 1871-2 he sold out and moved to Pierce Co. where he bought lots of land 14, 15, in the 5th land district from Dempsey Phillips and wife Susan on Aug, 26, 1872, and soon after brought other nearby lands, much of which he later sold or gave to his sons and sons-in-law. Mr. Bennett married for his second wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Ann Moody, widow of Thomas Moody of Pierce Co. June 22, 1886, but there was no further issue. She was born July 10, 1823, and died Feb. 15, 1911. Mr. Bennett and his two wives and some of his children are buried at Ramah Primitive Baptist Church several miles west of Blackshear. NOTE: The old Bennett family bible lists also the birth of James R. Bennett, March 16, 1848. He married Mary Hiers, daughter of Abraham Hiers. However, descendants say he was not a child but a cousin, and grew up in the James S. Bennett home. Source: Huxford, POWG, Vol 6, p 11-12 Deed Book "E", p. 191, Pierce Co. The following condensed article about James S. Bennett appeared in the Feb. 20, 1902 issue of the Blackshear Times. At the time the article was written, James was 84 years old, and had 168 grand-children and great-grand-children. "Hon. James S. Bennett is among the oldest inhabitants of Pierce Co., and except for rheumatism, and old age, is enjoying good health. He is seen quite often on our streets looking after his every day business affairs, and we hope he will live to enjoy many more birthday dinners, such as as given by his children in celebration of his 84th anniversary on the 23rd day of last Novenber, at the home of his youngest son, Daniel G. Bennett. Mr. Bennett was born in Bulloch Co., August 26, 1817. His parents, Henry and Margaret Sheffield Bennett moved to Appling Co. when he was a small boy where he was reared ro manhood. At 22, he was married to his third cousin, Miss Eliza Ann Elizabeth Bennett, daughter of Richard A. and Lavinia Newmans Bennett, Rev. Isham Peacock performing the ceremony. Soon after he was married, he moved to Ware Co., now Pierce, and settled the place where on Mr. James M. Griner now lives, about five or six miles east of Blackshear. Mr. Bennett and his wife had lived on this farm about four years when they moved back to Appling Co., now Wayne, where they lived up to 1872. During the year of 1872, Mr. Bennett and family moved back to Pierce, locating this time on a farm near Dixon's Mill, now Mershon. As a result of his first marriage, fourteen children were born to them - six boys and eight girls, of whom two boys and three girls died when small. Those reaching man and woman-hood are as follows: Randall H., John M., Alexander H.S., Daniel G., Mrs. Mary Ann Margaret Carter, Mrs. Sarah Ann Rittie Hyers, Mrs. Harriet Raulerson, Fannie Dixon, and Mrs. Macey Ann Missouri Lightsey. Those dying young were: Richard A., James Riley, Eliza Ann Elizabeth, Luvenia, and Susan Lugenia. Mr. Bennett represented Pierce Co. in the legislature in 1875-76. He was very popular, and took a great deal of interest in politics and county matters at that time. He joined the Primitive Baptist Church in 1868, and has been a consistent member of that church, and never had a charge of any kind against him by the church. September 13, 1886, his wife passed over the river of death, but he remained a widower only about one year when he led to the hymnal alter Mrs. Elizabeth Thorton Moody, a daughter of the late Isaac Thorton, and widow of Thomas Moody. She was a widow fifteen years, and will celebrate her 80th birthday July 10, 1902. Mr. Bennett says that he never used intoxicants to an excess, but would take his 'dram' when he needed it; he has used tobacco since he was fifteen years old." (Mr. Bennett died August 23, 1903 at the age of 85) Source: History of Pierce County Georgia, by Dean Broome, pg 108
Individual Notes
Note for: Henry Bennett, 1789 - c1835
Index
Individual Note: Henry, the second son of Richard Bennett R.S. (Vol. 1) was born in Effingham County, Georgia. The family was soon afterwards cut out into the new county of Bryan, and in 1796 was taken out of Bryan and put into the new county of Bulloch.
Henry married Margaret Sheffield, born 1785 in Effingham county, Georgia now Bulloch county, a daughter of William Sheffield R.S., Henry drew land in the 1806 land lottery while residing in Bryan county. He moved with his family from Bryan to Appling County along with his parents. He lived there until his death in 1835.
Henry appears in the 1820 census of Appling Co. His "orphans" drew land in the 1838 Georgia land lottery; land in 19th District of Walker Co., now Dade Co., GA.
Individual Notes
Note for: Braxton Bennett, 18 MAR 1808 - 3 APR 1881
Index
Individual Note: Braxton Bennett, a prominent citizen of Wayne County in his day, is the ancestor of a very large family connection through his twenty-one children. He was born March 18, 1808, in Bryan County, son of Richard and Mary Bennett (Vol.1). In boyhood he was brought by his parents of Appling County and he grew up in the portion now Wayne County. He was married to Martha Hopps, May 27, 1833, in Wayne County; she was born August 4, 1816, died June 20, 1846, and was a daughter of Richard Hopps. To them were born six children.
The second marriage was in June, 1847, to Elizabeth, born 1827, daughter of John Westberry of Wayne County. She died in 1861. By the second wife, they had seven children.
After the death of the second wife, Mr. Bennett married Miss Caroline Bozeman in 1863. To them were born eight children.
Mr. Bennett died at his home near Gardi, Wayne County, April 3, 1881. He and his wives were buried at Flint Branch Baptist Church (Spring Grove) in Wayne County.
Source:
Huxford, POWG, Vol 3, p19
Bennett and Allied families, by Alona Lavender