James Bennett Census lookup Gravesend 1850 etc

[louv]

Could someone lookup census records for this James Bennett between birth and marriage?
 
I am not sure when my James BENNETT emigrated. He is married 6 Feb 1876 and living in Illinois. My trouble is that the marriage documentation for Illinois was not  that useful. It seems that the records were trivial until 1877 and then better documentation, one  year after to his marriage.

Louis Vannatta

--- from my database ---------
 James Bennett
Birth:            24 Apr 1849, North Downs, Gravesend, England /or/ Staffordshire ?
Death:            5 Nov 1916, Illinois
Spouse:            Elizabeth Melvina Bruce
Birth:            16 Jul 1856, Vienna TWP Grundy Co., Verona Illinois
Death:            3 Apr 1903
Father:            Albert Harley Bruce (1828-1913)
Mother:            Melvina Janes (1827-1892)
Marr:            6 Feb 1876,  Verona Illinois

[casalguidi]

Hi Louis

Welcome to Rootschat

I don't know the source of your information for James' birth date or place but there was a James BENNETT (son of James & Ann) born on that date according to the parish registers of Higham (a parish near Gravesend in Kent).

http://www.rootschat.com/links/0nq/

Is this a coincidence or could it be him?  I am unsure due to the mention of Staffordshire in your post

Casalguidi

[suzard]

This looks like the James Bennett b Higham Kent
1851
Higham Kent
James bennett 29 Farm lab Kent Thorne
Ann wife 29 Kent Frindsbury(?)
James son 2 Kent Higham
George Thomas son 2 mths Kent Higham
Amelia (?) (transcribed as Martin -but age in female column) Gildwell visitor U 16 Annuitant Kent Allhallows

HO107/1609 302 31

[louv]

The Staffordshire reference is speculation, since I had not had much success in Kent, until now.

 The family documentation suggests North Downs, Gravesend. I was suspicious that this might have been his port of departure. I have a small oval glass picture of James as a teenager which has Staffordshire in a scrawled note behind the glass in its leather case.  The Staffordshire reference may be just James on a holiday in Staffordshire. So, I would go with the Gravesend a first choice. I have no other evidence to go on this far.

Louis

[casalguidi]

Hi Louis

I would probably take that to mean "Gravesend situated in/on the North Downs" and, yes, it could quite possibly have been the point of departure

The "North Downs" is an area of chalk hills which stretches across several counties of Southern England.

It would be rather doubtful that a farm labouring family from this area would have the money for a "glass picture" so that might be something that needs looking into ie. whether any evidence can be found of them (earlier or later) showing any signs of wealth

Casalguidi

[louv]

On the assumption that the James BENNETT in Higham is the correct one, I have continued to dig in. The hunt is often more fun than the bagging of prey. I always learn so much about the area under consideration that it ultimatly aids in the final resolution.

Mentioned is Amelia in the 1851 census, I have tracked her down to be married in 10 Jun 1844 (p44 of records)  to John Pearce, which would be Ann's ?brother? since her maiden name is Pearce.  Amelia is staying in the Bennett home to help with newborn, George Thomas Bennett, James' brother. George is found on (pg 20 of baptisms) b. 3 Jan 1851 Higham.

If this is a dead record for me at least the family line can be pieced together for the true family to fine here online.

To follow forward with James' life,

 -----   Could someone lookup James in the later census' ?

I hope to confirm that he either is /or/ is not, still in country after my James would have emmigrated to Illinois and married in 1876.

[suzard]

I have found who I think may be George Thomas in 1871
1871 At Sea  Royal Navy Vessel name Cossack
George Thomas Bennett Abs 20 Thorne Kent
 
RG10/5780 49 9

Thorne was father's p.o.b on 1851

Now to look for James

[suzard]

Could this be him?

1871  Royal Navy Bombay Harbour Vessel name Forte

James Bennett  21 Single Abs Dover Kent

RG10/5781 47 11

[casalguidi]

Do we think that "Thorne" should or could possibly read "Shorne" which would be near to Gravesend

Casalguidi