The furthest back that I have been able to research shows that the Bennett family originated in Linkinhorne. Helen and I went there for a few days in 2008 and visited the church and surrounding areas. It is only about 4 miles from the Jamaica Inn of Daphne Du Maurier’s novel. Here are some of the photographs that I took of the church and the area
First Generation of Bennett Family
William Bennett b.1523
I am going to set the direct ancestors in bold type to make it easier to distinguish them.
The first Bennett recorded in the Linkinhorne records, that I have been able to find, is William Bennett born in 1523. William married Diones Hodges – born in 1524. The spelling of the names varies a lot as of course, in those days, so many people were illiterate. According to the records William and Dione had two children:
1. Phillipa Bennett born in 1548 in Linkinhorne, Cornwall
2. Richard Beanet 1558 -Nov 1620 in Linkinhorne.
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Second Generation
Richard Bennett b.1558
Richard Beanet was born in 1558 in Linkinhorne and died in November 1620. Richard married Joan on 27th May 1583 when he was aged 25.
Richard and Joan had the following children. The first two may well have been twins.
- Thomas Bennett born in 1584
- Thomsin Bennett also in 1584
- Tristram Bennett in 1589-1644. Baptised 16th May 1589.
- Stephen Bennett in 1590 baptised on 27th November 1590
- Mary Bennett in 1590
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Third Generation
Tristram Bennett b.1589-1644
Tristram was baptised on 16th May 1589 and married Joane on 13th June 1620 in Linkinhorne. Joane was born in 1599. They had the following children.
- A daughter, Joan, in 1620 who later married John Martin on 9th June 1646
- Thomas Bennett born in 1622, baptised on 18th May 1622. Thomas married Mary on 18th May 1648 in Linkinhorne. They had two daughters: Mary in 1649 and who was buried on 25th September 1649 and another daughter, also Mary, in 1651. I have a record of a Mary Bennett burial in 1734 so wonder if it is this one.
- William Bennett born 1624 and who had died in 1627 and was buried on 3rd April
- Priscilla Bennett born in 1626
- William Bennett born in 1627
- Elizabeth Bennett born in 1626 and who later married Thomas Lord or Reed.
- Richard Bennett born in 1631
- Tristram Bennett born in 1634. Tristram married Wilmote Rogers on 21st October 1664 in Linkinhorne. Tristram died in 1686 and was buried on 27th September 1686.
Tristram was buried on 12th March 1644/5
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Fourth Generation
Tristram Bennett b.1634-1686
Tristram was born in 1634 and baptised on 21st April 1634 in Linkinhorne. Below is a copy of the baptism entry although it is very hard to make out his entry.
Tristram married Wilmote Rogers on 21st September 1664 and had the following children:
1/Richard, born 1665, baptised on 26th May 1667 and who married Thomazin. They had a daughter called Grace in 1701
2/ Johan born in 1667 and baptised on 2nd April 1667
3/ Thomas born in 1669, Thomas married Ann Ellis on 13th April 1695 in Linkinhorne and died in 1715.
Tristram died in 1666 and was buried on 27th September. I have found a copy of his will in the Linkinhorne church records. Tristram was a blacksmith and when he died his estate was valued at £7 5s 8d.
His will states:
In the name of God amen the 21st day of September,1686, I Tristram Bennet, of the parish of Linkinhorne, Co of Cornwall, blacksmith, being weak in body but perfect in mind and memory thanks be to God for the same doe make and ordaine this my last well and testam in manner following= first I bequeath my soul into the hands of Almighty God my Maker and Redeemer, and my body to Christian burial the cost of my executrix hereafter named, I give unto Wilmot, my wife, the use of all my goods and chattels, of what kind so ever both really and personal (except my shop) to hold unto her and during her natural life if she continues a widow, after the death of Wilmot , my said wife, I give my said goods and chattels to my four children to be equally divided amongst them, but if my said wife do shame to marry, I do give and bequeath my said goods and chattels unto my said children to hold unto them immediately from the day of her marriage:then will I give to my son which is most apt to learn my trade have the use of my shop during my wifes life and lastly of making Wilmot my wife my whole and sole executrix by virtue of this my last will and testament, and her I ordain to pay my debts and to discharge my funeral expenses. Witnesses by my hands and shake the date and year first above written, Sign Emanuell Budge and Johan Jane
Inventory 8th July 1687. Tristram Bennet, blacksmith, dec, late of parish of Linkinhorne
Purse, Girdle, wearing apparel £0-15s-0d
House and garden £2-10s-0
Little Grey Horse £0- 10s -0d
3 Dust beds, bedsteads, bedding £1-10s-0
1 Old clock £0-3s-4d
7 Pewter dishes £0-6s-8d
1 Kettle £0-3s-4d
1 table and chest £0-7s-0d
1 kieve, two barrels and other lumber stuff £0-5s-6d
Shop tools £0-13s-4d
Other implements not seen or yet appraised £0-2s-6d
Total = £7-5s-8d
This will was copied from the Truro Record Office.
Tristram appears to have died about two days after making his will and below is the entry of his burial
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Fifth Generation
Thomas Bennett b.1669-1716
Thomas was born in 1669 in Linkinhorne.
Thomas married Ann Ellis on 13th April 1695 at the age of 26. Below is a copy of the entry of their marriage.
Thomas and Ann had the following children:
- William born in 1695, baptised on 21st February 1695
William married Mary Vine, the daughter of Thomas and Mary Vine, on 20th October 1720 in Linkinhorne Church. Mary was born in 1699 and aged 21when she married William who was aged 25.
The children of William and Mary Vine are as follows
- A son, Thomas who was born in 1721 and who married Sarah Coombe. I have found a copy of a lease for land dated 1759 and made between Thomas Bennett and Jn Budge. Thomas was a blacksmith and would be paying 2s for the land.
Consideration: £10-10-0
(1) Jonathan Rashleigh of Menabilly, esq., Francis Buller of Antony, esq., and w. Dame Mary, wid. of Sir Coventry Carew, decd., to (2) Nich. Foott of Linkinhorne, yeo.
Field or close of land called Wistaland late in occ. of Jn. Lawe, decd., lying between 2 other fields, one part of manor of Rillaton Royal, the other part of manor of Rillaton Peverell
25 Dec. 1759.
- A daughter, Mary born in 1722 .
- Another son, Edward, born in 1724 and who married Mary Hooper in 1749. I am not sure if the following will is that of this Mary but as it is so interesting I am going to include it here. Edward and Mary had seven children including sons called William, Edward and Thomas so feel that it may well be her will.
The Will of Mary Bennett of Linkinhorne 1753
In the Name of God Amen, This is the last Will and Testament of Me Mary Bennett of Starts house in the parish of Linkinhorne in the County of Cornwall Widow whereby I revoke all former Wills by me made either by word or in Writing, and first I recommend my Soul to God that Gave it and my Body to be decently Buried at the discretion of my Executor hereinafter Named. I Give, devise and Bequeath unto my Son William Bennett and to his Heires and Assignes for ever All that my Messuage and Tenement called Gate in the parish of St Ewe in the said County of Cornwall and which is now Leased out to Edward Rowe and also the Conventionary Rent and other Reservations due or to Grow due to me for the Same. I also Give and devise unto my said Son William a House and Garden in Rillaton in the sd. Parish of Linkinhorne To hold to him and his Heires & Assignes according to the Custom of the Mannor of Rillaton, and I do desire and Request Richard Roberts who stands Tenant thereof for my use, To Surrender the same to him my said Son William on demand; I also Give to my said Son William a feather Bed performed and also my Clock and my best Brass pan and I also Give him the Sum of Ten pounds to be paid him by my Executor wthin. two years after my death; and I also Give unto my Son William all my wearing apparel and to Bestow the same on whom he shall think fitt. I Give devise and Bequeath unto my Son Edward Bennett my House and Garden called Starts in the said parish of Linkinhorn which I now hold in Lease for a Terme of Ninety Nine years determinable on the deaths of Thomas and William my Sons To Hold the said House and Garden with its appurtences unto my said Son Edward his Executors & Admions. for the residue of my Terme therein. I also Give to my said Son Edward forty shillings to be paid him at the end of one year after my death. I Give unto Mary the daughter of my Son Edward Bennett five shillings, and unto the children of my son Thomas Bennett five shillings each to be paid at the end of one year after my decease. I Give devise and bequeath unto my son Thomas Bennett one Field or Close of Land in Rillaton aforesaid To hold to him his Heires and Assignes according to the Custom of the said Manor of Rillaton, and I do desire the said Richard Roberts (who stands Tenant for the same) to Surrender the same on Request. All the rest, residue and remainder of my Goods, Chatells, Rights, Creditts and reall and personall Estate whatsoever not herein otherwise Given or devised I Give devise and bequeath unto my said Son Thomas Bennett and him my said Son Thomas I make, constitute and appoint whole and Sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament, he my said Executor paying off, satisfying and dischargeing all my Just Debts, Legacyes and funeral expences with the payment and satisfaction whereof I do hereby make Subject and Lyable my Reall and personal Estate so given to my said Executor as aforesaid. In Witness whereof I have hereunto sett my hand and seal this Seventeenth day of September in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty Three, 1753.
Subscribed, Sealed and Published by the
Said Testatrix to be her last will & Testament
In our presence who attest the same and
Subscribe our Names as witnesses hereto in her
presence after the Legacy of forty shillings to
Edward Bennett was Interlined
Mary Cowling (signed)
Philipa Foott (signed)
H Mark (signed)
The before written will of the above named Mary Bennett Deced. is a true Copy Examined & Compared with the Original this 3rd day of December 1753. By us
John Bennett (signed)
John Blight (signed)
The within written Will of the within named Mary Bennett Deced., was proved in Comon form the 2nd of
November 1753, Before the Revd. Mr. James Walker, Clk., Batchelor of Laws, Surrogate etc, and Admion. of the Goods etc of the sd. Deced. and of all things howsoever concerning her said Granted to the Executor therein Named (Being first Sworne etc/ Saveing etc
No Inventry.
Source: LDS Film No. 90194, image nos. 507/508; CRO ref. AP/B/3953
Transcribed by Stella Thomas
The sign of
Mary Bennett (sealed)
- A son called William who was born in 1735
2/ Richard born in 1699 and who died the shortly after birth and was buried on 16th April 1699 just two days after his baptis
3/ Tristram who was born in 1699 and baptised on 4th March 1699. Tristram married Elizabeth Oliver on 2nd June 1723 at the age of 23.
Thomas was buried on 28th January 1716 and below is a copy of his burial entry from the church records. His name is third from the bottom.
Anne, his wife, died in 1736 being buried on 13th February.
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Sixth Generation
Tristram Bennett b. 1699
Tristram, son of Thomas and Ann, was baptised on 4th March 1699 at Linkinhorne and married Elizabeth Oliver there on 2nd June 1723. They had ten children
- Thomas ,in 1724, who married Mary Row on 3rd June 1745. I have found a record of Thomas and Mary fornication held in the Cornwall records office and dated 4th November 1746. A Thomas Bennett was also charged with bastardy in 1741 and I rather think it was this Thomas.
- Elizabeth in 1725 and baptised on 7th January 1725
- Tristram in 1727, baptised on 1st December 1727 and who died in 1734 and was buried on 8 April at the age of 7
- Mary born in 1729, baptised on14th November 1729, but who died at the age of 5 and was buried on 23rd July 1734
- Catherine born 1733 who was baptised on 3rd May 1733, Catherine married William Saunders on 15th October 1754 and died in 1794 at the age of 61
- Charity born in 1735, baptised on 20th September 1735 and who died before 1737. I have a copy of her baptism entry.
- Charity born in 1737 and baptised on 19th November 1737
- Sarah born in 1739, baptised on 9th January 1939 who died at the age of 8 and was buried on 8th February 1748
- Christian who was born in 1742, baptised on 23rd September 1742. She died at the age of 7 being buried on 21 February 1748
- John born 1745 who was baptised on 25th July 1745 and was buried on 16th February 1748.
Sadly, at least six of their children died before reaching the age of 10.
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Seventh Generation
Thomas Bennett b 1724
Thomas married Mary Row on 3rd June 1745 when he was aged just 21. I believe Mary was born in 1722 in Northill to Mathew and Philippa Row and being baptised on 10th February 1722.
Thomas and Mary had 10 children as follows:
- William born in 1746 and baptised on 6th January 1746
- A daughter, Philippi, born in 1747, baptised on 27th December 1747
- A second son, John, born in 1750, baptised on 28th February 1750
- A third son, Thomas, born in 1753, baptised 15th March 1753
- A fourth son, Mathew, born in 1754, and baptised on 15th September 1754
- A second daughter, Mary born in 1757, baptised on 13th February 1757
- A fifth son, Richard, born 1759, baptised on 25th March 1759 and died 1815. Richard married Ann and they had a daughter, Mary and a son, William. All four are buried in the same grave at Stoke Climsland.
- A daughter, Keturah, born in1761,baptised on 18th October 1761. Keturah appears to have had an illegitimate daughter in 1781 called Elizabeth Shovel Bennett so presumably the father was a member of the Shovel family. Keturah then married John James and had four children with him.
- A sixth son, Benjamin, born in 1767. Benjamin became a blacksmith and I found that he took on an apprentice in 1797. Here is a photo of the contract:
- Joseph, born in 1767 and who was probably twin to Benjamin as both were baptised on 29th September 1767
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Eighth Generation
William Bennett b. 1746
William was the son of Thomas Bennett and Mary Row. He was born in 1746 in Linkinhorne and married Mary Harvey on 18th October 1768 at the age of 22. Mary was the daughter of Edward and Anne Harvey and was baptised on 22nd September 1731 in Linkinhorne.
Mary and William had two children that I can be sure of:
- A daughter, Frances, born in 1772 and baptised on 8th June that year
- A second daughter, Ann, born in 1775 and baptised on 9th July 1775
Mary appears to have died in 1781 and was buried on 2nd January that year and then William died six months later, being buried on 10th June 1781.
I believe that Mary may well have died in childbirth, giving birth to a son William. I have not been able to prove this as William was not baptised but from the census forms, I think that is the year that he was born. It could well be that as his father, William, had three young babies to care for – Mary would only have been aged 9 and Ann aged 6 when their mother died in January and so he may never have got round to having William baptised before he himself died in the June. If I am right then this means that this William is the same William who married Jenny Shovel. In those days, it was usual to name the first son after the father.
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Miscellaneous Interesting facts
I found several interesting items about the Bennett family of which this diary entry of a Joseph Bennett is one.
The Diary of Joseph Bennett 1817 -1831
Shoemaker of the paris of linkinhorne
I came across a fascinating extract from this diary in the Devon and Cornwall Notes and Queries Volume XXX11 1971 -1973 According to my research Joseph was probably born around 1788 and married Elizabeth sometime around 1810 -1812 as their first child was born in 1812. Another four children followed and on each baptism entry, Joseph is described as a shoemaker or cordwainer.
In October 1829 he was admitted to Deveon and Exeter Hospital with a “complain in his back”. On the 4th December he noted the common diet for patients of the hospital:
Mon, Wed, Fri,
Breakfast: One pint of water gruel. Bread for day 15oz Dinner: One pint of rice milk Supper: One pint of milk pottage on Monday, 2oz cheese on Wednesday and one oz butter on Friday
Tues, Thur, Sat, Sun
Breakfast: One pint water gruel with 11 oz of bread for the day Dinner: One pint of broth, 4oz mutton, 1lb potatoes Supper: Cheese 2oz
(And we complain about the National Health Service!)
According to the diary, an entry in 1831 states that he had sent a certificate to the Callington Amicable Society to certify that he ws incapable of following his employment in consequence of an inflammatory fever from 21st October to 8th November. For these 17 days confined they paid him 18s 8d
Helen and I paid a visit to LInkinhorne and were delighted to find the grave of William and Jenny. Here are more photos of St Mellors church and churchyard taken on that visit
