I am hoping someone can possibly help me uncover some information about my Bennett ancestors in Shaftesbury during the 18th century.
My ancestor the Rev Narcissus Ryall (Rector of East Lydford) was married to Frances Durnford in Shaftesbury on 4 September 1783.
Frances Durnford's parents were Samuel Durnford (a maltster) and Frances Bennett who were themselves married in Shaftesbury in October 1758.
I've been researching the Ryalls and Durnfords for three years now but haven't found anything about Frances Bennett - until now
I have recently been looking at the resources on Ancestry relating to Dorset, particularly the Wills. Whilst looking for any Bennett references in this I came across the following will: Barnaby Bonnett 1762 Shaftesbury.
This was interesting as Samuel and Frances named their second son Barnaby Bennett Durnford, and two later children were also given the middle name Bennett. Given that Barnaby is quite a distinctive name I wondered if there was a connection. Looking through the Will (and the Will of his sister) it is clear that there is a connection.
In his will Barnaby Bennett (describing himself as "Barnaby Bennett, gent") mentions the following people:
"my nephew William Bennett son of my brother William Bennett and Grace his wife"
"my niece Frances Durnford wife of Samuel Durnford of Shaftesbury"
"my sister Mary the wife of Thomas Hamilton"
"my good friend and acquaintance John Bennett of Shaftesbury aforesaid, Attorney at Law"
"William Hammond of Shaftesbury aforesaid in the said County of Dorset, clerk"
"Barnaby Bennett Durnford son of Samuel Durnford of Shaftesbury aforesaid, maltster"
"Samuel Durnford another son of the aforesaid Samuel Durnford [the father]"
Barnaby Bennett's will was written on 11 October 1762 and the executors are named as William Hammond and John Roberts Everett. I hadn't realised it until I looked at my Durnford tree today but one of the witnesses to the marriage of Samuel Durnford and Frances Bennett was - John Roberts Everett!! Also the first two children of Samuel Durnford and Frances Bennett were christened Samuel Durnford (born 1759) and Barnaby Bennett Durnford (born 1762).
As mentioned Barnaby's sister Mary Bennett was married to Thomas Hamilton when Barnaby wrote his will. Samuel and Frances Durnford also used the name Hamilton as a middle name for two sons (both named Thomas Hamilton Durnford, the first born 1769 died bef 1774, the second born 1774 died 1822). Mary Hamilton (nee Bennett) died in 1781 and wrote her will in April 1766 in which she describes herself as "Mary Hamilton wife of Thomas Hamilton of the parish of Holy Trinity in Shaston in the County of Dorset, Gentleman". In the will Mary mentions the following people:
"Elizabeth Hamilton my said husband's daughter" (making me think she wasn't Mary's daughter)
"my nephew William Bennett" (almost the same William as described in Barnaby's will)
"Frances Durnford and Mary Durnford daughters of my kinsman Samuel Durnford and Frances his wife". Well as mentioned above Samuel Durnford was married to Frances Bennett and they did have daughters named Frances and Mary (although the Mary on my tree was christened in October 1766 so there may have been another older daughter named Mary who died).
She also appoints Frances Durnford wife of Samuel Durnford "sole Executrix" of her will.
I have also found an Administration for the goods of "Benjamin Bennett of Shaston, clerk" which was administered by "William Bennett, butcher/baker, and Barnaby Bennett, glover" who are described as his "natural and lawful brothers"
The first thing I'd like to establish is who were the parents of Frances Bennett, was she another child of William and Grace for example? She is not described as his daughter (only as Barnaby's "niece" - could she be another child of William and Grace, or possibly Benjamin Bennett's daughter)
Also I'd like to know more about John Bennett who is described as Barnaby's
"good friend and acquaintance" and "Attorney at Law". I suspect they are related but how? Could they be cousins? Where could I find out more information about John and his career?
There are so many links between these two Wills and my Durnford/Bennett tree that I'm hoping the info here will allow me to explore the Bennett line more and establish who the parents of Frances were. There is also a Will for a John Bennett, Gent, dated 1720 (probate: 14 April 1720) but I haven't worked out how he is connected to the others yet.
The Bennetts were obviously educated people as they all signed their Wills (the originals for Barnaby, John, and the Administration of Benjamin, are all on Ancestry, as is Mary Hamilton's Will which was proved in the PCC in London). Also Barnaby and John both left seals next to their signatures.
If anyone can help me identify the parents of Frances Bennett, Barnaby Bennett, or can help me with any of the questions or points on here I would really appreciate it. Hope someone can help with this. Please PM me if you have any questions.
Many Thanks
Matthew
Author
Topic: Bennetts of Shaftesbury (Read 2437 times)