Daniel Bennett, Jr.
Title
Daniel Bennett, Jr. (p. 1)
Description
[page 1]
[corresponds to front cover of Daniel Bennett, Jr.]
DANIEL BENNETT, JR.
[corresponds to front cover of Daniel Bennett, Jr.]
DANIEL BENNETT, JR.
Title
Daniel Bennett, Jr. (p. 2)
Description
[page2]
[corresponds to unnumbered title page of Daniel Bennett, Jr.]
DANIEL BENNETT, JR.
A Story of His Background and Life
Written in Commemoration of the
One Hundred Fiftieth Anniversary
of His Birth
1819 - 1969
Louise Bennett Pinney and Raymond Durling Bennett
[corresponds to unnumbered title page of Daniel Bennett, Jr.]
DANIEL BENNETT, JR.
A Story of His Background and Life
Written in Commemoration of the
One Hundred Fiftieth Anniversary
of His Birth
1819 - 1969
Louise Bennett Pinney and Raymond Durling Bennett
Title
Daniel Bennett, Jr. (p. 3)
Description
[page 3]
[corresponds to unnumbered page 1 of Daniel Bennett, Jr.]
OUR GRANDFATHER, DANIEL BENNETT, JR.
DANIEL BENNETT, Jr. was born just one hundred
fifty years ago. Cities, states, colleges and churches
always recognize in some special manner the completion
of one hundred fifty years of their history. It is cus-
tomary also, to celebrate the sesqui-centennial of the
birth of our statesmen, authors, artists and others who
have made a worthy contribution to our heritage. It
would seem equally appropriate for us to recognize the
one hundred fiftieth anniversary of the birth of this
forefather of the Bennett Family - especially so, since
he was a person so worthy of our admiration and esteem.
We, Louise Bennett Pinney and Raymond Durling
Bennett, have become increasingly interested in the last
few years in learning what we can about our family back-
ground and heritage. We hope we may be able to add
some details to the valuable study published by Aunt
Mertie Smith in 1924 under the title "Genealogy of Immi-
grant Edward Bennett and Descendants", as well as to ex-
plore some other branches of our ancestry. We are hoping
that time and health will permit us to compile some of
our findings so that they will be of interest to younger
generations as they have been to us. As we have been
comparing and exchanging our information recently, the
question inevitably arose: What could be more appropri-
ate, in this year 1969, than to tell the story of the
forefather of us all - our grandfather, Daniel Bennett,
Jr.?
Grandfather Bennett was born March 8, 1819,
one mile west of Center Village, in Harlem Township,
Delaware County, Ohio. He lived all his long life of
eighty-three years within a mile of his birthplace;
but his life, his interests and his influence were much
broader than the boundaries of any one small locality.
[corresponds to unnumbered page 1 of Daniel Bennett, Jr.]
OUR GRANDFATHER, DANIEL BENNETT, JR.
DANIEL BENNETT, Jr. was born just one hundred
fifty years ago. Cities, states, colleges and churches
always recognize in some special manner the completion
of one hundred fifty years of their history. It is cus-
tomary also, to celebrate the sesqui-centennial of the
birth of our statesmen, authors, artists and others who
have made a worthy contribution to our heritage. It
would seem equally appropriate for us to recognize the
one hundred fiftieth anniversary of the birth of this
forefather of the Bennett Family - especially so, since
he was a person so worthy of our admiration and esteem.
We, Louise Bennett Pinney and Raymond Durling
Bennett, have become increasingly interested in the last
few years in learning what we can about our family back-
ground and heritage. We hope we may be able to add
some details to the valuable study published by Aunt
Mertie Smith in 1924 under the title "Genealogy of Immi-
grant Edward Bennett and Descendants", as well as to ex-
plore some other branches of our ancestry. We are hoping
that time and health will permit us to compile some of
our findings so that they will be of interest to younger
generations as they have been to us. As we have been
comparing and exchanging our information recently, the
question inevitably arose: What could be more appropri-
ate, in this year 1969, than to tell the story of the
forefather of us all - our grandfather, Daniel Bennett,
Jr.?
Grandfather Bennett was born March 8, 1819,
one mile west of Center Village, in Harlem Township,
Delaware County, Ohio. He lived all his long life of
eighty-three years within a mile of his birthplace;
but his life, his interests and his influence were much
broader than the boundaries of any one small locality.
Title
Daniel Bennett, Jr. (p. 4)
Description
[page 4]
[corresponds to page 2 of Daniel Bennett, Jr.]
HARLEM TOWNSHIP. Since so much of the life
and experience of at least three generations of the Ben-
nett family - and also of our closely related families -
Adams, Mossman and Durling - is centered in Harlem Town-
ship, a brief statement about this township may be of in-
terest. Harlem Township is located in the extreme south-
east corner of Delaware County, Ohio. The land of the
township is almost uniformly level, except near the lower
parts of two small streams that eventually feed into Big
Walnut Creek. According to J. R. Lytle's History of
Delaware County (1908), the character of the soil of Har-
lem Township "is the most uniform of that of any of the
eighteen townships of the county. It is a deep black
loam, and very productive: the general yield of all ce-
real and vegetable products in the township is much above
the average for the county. There is no waste land. The
timber in the native forest was luxuriant.... Almost the
entire population is engaged in farming.... Along and near
the lower part of Duncan Run there are extensive stone
quarries, which produce Waverly stone of the very best
quality, but they have been worked very little." Small
wonder, is it, that several pioneer families of Luzerne
County, Pennsylvania, decided to settle in this area?
Every history of Harlem Township tells the fol-
lowing story relation to what is now the south-west
quarter of the township: *Benajah Cook was a Connecticut
Yankee with a college education, who came to Ohio in 1805
-06. Mr. Cook and his family traveled to Ohio by wagon
and carried under the rear axle a bucket of lard, in
which was buried the family fortune, in gold coin. When
they reached Granville, they camped out and Mr. Cook
started looking for land to purchase. Land sales were
frequently conducted by the Franklin County Sheriff at
Franklinton (now a part of Columbus) and land speculators
attended these sales and dominated the bidding. If an
outsider tried to buy the land they would run up the
price on him. Terms of the sales were cash in hand.
*Earl M. Murphy - The Adams Family History 1750-1967.
and J. R. Lytle, History of Delaware County (1908) p.456.
[corresponds to page 2 of Daniel Bennett, Jr.]
HARLEM TOWNSHIP. Since so much of the life
and experience of at least three generations of the Ben-
nett family - and also of our closely related families -
Adams, Mossman and Durling - is centered in Harlem Town-
ship, a brief statement about this township may be of in-
terest. Harlem Township is located in the extreme south-
east corner of Delaware County, Ohio. The land of the
township is almost uniformly level, except near the lower
parts of two small streams that eventually feed into Big
Walnut Creek. According to J. R. Lytle's History of
Delaware County (1908), the character of the soil of Har-
lem Township "is the most uniform of that of any of the
eighteen townships of the county. It is a deep black
loam, and very productive: the general yield of all ce-
real and vegetable products in the township is much above
the average for the county. There is no waste land. The
timber in the native forest was luxuriant.... Almost the
entire population is engaged in farming.... Along and near
the lower part of Duncan Run there are extensive stone
quarries, which produce Waverly stone of the very best
quality, but they have been worked very little." Small
wonder, is it, that several pioneer families of Luzerne
County, Pennsylvania, decided to settle in this area?
Every history of Harlem Township tells the fol-
lowing story relation to what is now the south-west
quarter of the township: *Benajah Cook was a Connecticut
Yankee with a college education, who came to Ohio in 1805
-06. Mr. Cook and his family traveled to Ohio by wagon
and carried under the rear axle a bucket of lard, in
which was buried the family fortune, in gold coin. When
they reached Granville, they camped out and Mr. Cook
started looking for land to purchase. Land sales were
frequently conducted by the Franklin County Sheriff at
Franklinton (now a part of Columbus) and land speculators
attended these sales and dominated the bidding. If an
outsider tried to buy the land they would run up the
price on him. Terms of the sales were cash in hand.
*Earl M. Murphy - The Adams Family History 1750-1967.
and J. R. Lytle, History of Delaware County (1908) p.456.
Title
Daniel Bennett, Jr. (p. 5)
Description
[page 5]
[corresponds to page 3 of Daniel Bennett, Jr.]
Benajah attended some of these sales and became familiar
with their methods. When he learned that 4000 acres of
the land that he had chosen were to be sold to the high-
est bidder by the Sheriff, he immediately prepared him-
self with the necessary funds, as he hoped to make the pur-
chase in case he became the lucky bidder. He was going
among strangers, of course, and was liable to be robbed.
For his own protection, he dressed himself in old clothes
covered with patches and rags, permitted his beard to
grow long, put on a dirtier shirt than usual; in short,
he presented an appearance of wretchedness and poverty.
Beneath his patches and rags, he concealed his gold coin.
No one suspected that he had any money or was other than
a beggar, and when he commenced to bid, the rival bid-
ders assumed that his bidding was a farce and ceased
their competition. The going price for land at that time
was about two dollars an acre. Mr. Cook bid 42 cents an acre,
and when no one bid against him, the bidding was closed.
He then ripped off his patches, dug out the gold coin
and paid for the land, 4000 acres, $1680.00. Mr. Cook
kept 500 acres and sold the rest, which included the area
in which the homes and farms and activities of Grand-
father Bennett and his father and some of his brothers
were later located.
OUR GRANDFATHER, DANIEL BENNETT came from a
long line of American pioneers which begins with Edward
Benet, who came from Wiltshire, England to New England
about 1636. According to genealogical historians, the
Benets of Wiltshire, England are considered to have been
the most ancient family of that name in England.
The fifth generation of the family in America,
included ISHMAEL BENNET, SR. (1730-1820), who was the
grandfather of our grandfather, Daniel Bennett, Jr.
Ishamael Bennet was born in Rhode Island, later moved to
Connecticut, where he married. He later moved to Wilkes-
Barre in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with his three
[corresponds to page 3 of Daniel Bennett, Jr.]
Benajah attended some of these sales and became familiar
with their methods. When he learned that 4000 acres of
the land that he had chosen were to be sold to the high-
est bidder by the Sheriff, he immediately prepared him-
self with the necessary funds, as he hoped to make the pur-
chase in case he became the lucky bidder. He was going
among strangers, of course, and was liable to be robbed.
For his own protection, he dressed himself in old clothes
covered with patches and rags, permitted his beard to
grow long, put on a dirtier shirt than usual; in short,
he presented an appearance of wretchedness and poverty.
Beneath his patches and rags, he concealed his gold coin.
No one suspected that he had any money or was other than
a beggar, and when he commenced to bid, the rival bid-
ders assumed that his bidding was a farce and ceased
their competition. The going price for land at that time
was about two dollars an acre. Mr. Cook bid 42 cents an acre,
and when no one bid against him, the bidding was closed.
He then ripped off his patches, dug out the gold coin
and paid for the land, 4000 acres, $1680.00. Mr. Cook
kept 500 acres and sold the rest, which included the area
in which the homes and farms and activities of Grand-
father Bennett and his father and some of his brothers
were later located.
OUR GRANDFATHER, DANIEL BENNETT came from a
long line of American pioneers which begins with Edward
Benet, who came from Wiltshire, England to New England
about 1636. According to genealogical historians, the
Benets of Wiltshire, England are considered to have been
the most ancient family of that name in England.
The fifth generation of the family in America,
included ISHMAEL BENNET, SR. (1730-1820), who was the
grandfather of our grandfather, Daniel Bennett, Jr.
Ishamael Bennet was born in Rhode Island, later moved to
Connecticut, where he married. He later moved to Wilkes-
Barre in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with his three
Title
Daniel Bennett, Jr. (p. 6)
Description
[page 6]
[corresponds to page 4 of Daniel Bennett, Jr.]
children, his wife having died. He served as a private
in the Revolutionary War. With his children, he was in
Pittston Fort at the time of the Battle of Wyoming, Penn-
sylvania, July 3, 1778. The surrender of this fort to
an army of English soldiers and their Indian allies was
followed by the notorious Wyoming Massacre, one of the
most bloody and revolting incidents of the entire War, in
which the Indians, after the capitulation of the fort,
began the most ruthless torture and massacre of those, who
had surrendered. Ishmael, with his three children, es-
caped from the massacre, but he was able to observe some
of the murderous orgy from a safe distance.
After the War, about 1783, Ishmael married
Abigail Weeks, whose husband and three sons had been
brutally murdered by the Indians at Wyoming. Abigail,
after experiencing the deep tragedy of Wyoming, became
the mother of a second family of five children. Years
later, in 1816, she and her husband moved from eastern
Pennsylvania to Harlem Township, to join their son
Daniel, who had come to Ohio a few years earlier. She
was then 65 years of age. She lived to the good old
age of 88 years. Three cheers for Great-great-grand-
mother Abigail!
Our great-grandfather, DANIEL BENNET, SR.
(1783-1861) was the eldest of the five children born
to Ishmael and Abigail Bennet, and was the father of our
grandfather Daniel Bennett, Jr. A history of the Harlem
Methodist Church, written by Mr. Kelly Adams, in 1954,
states that "in 1809 Miss Sarah Adams, a beautiful young
lady of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, married the Rever-
end Daniel Bennet". She was twenty-one years old and
he was four years older when they came to Ohio,
accompanied by two of Sarah's brothers, Elijah and
John Adams.
Occupationally, of course, Daniel Bennet, Sr.
[corresponds to page 4 of Daniel Bennett, Jr.]
children, his wife having died. He served as a private
in the Revolutionary War. With his children, he was in
Pittston Fort at the time of the Battle of Wyoming, Penn-
sylvania, July 3, 1778. The surrender of this fort to
an army of English soldiers and their Indian allies was
followed by the notorious Wyoming Massacre, one of the
most bloody and revolting incidents of the entire War, in
which the Indians, after the capitulation of the fort,
began the most ruthless torture and massacre of those, who
had surrendered. Ishmael, with his three children, es-
caped from the massacre, but he was able to observe some
of the murderous orgy from a safe distance.
After the War, about 1783, Ishmael married
Abigail Weeks, whose husband and three sons had been
brutally murdered by the Indians at Wyoming. Abigail,
after experiencing the deep tragedy of Wyoming, became
the mother of a second family of five children. Years
later, in 1816, she and her husband moved from eastern
Pennsylvania to Harlem Township, to join their son
Daniel, who had come to Ohio a few years earlier. She
was then 65 years of age. She lived to the good old
age of 88 years. Three cheers for Great-great-grand-
mother Abigail!
Our great-grandfather, DANIEL BENNET, SR.
(1783-1861) was the eldest of the five children born
to Ishmael and Abigail Bennet, and was the father of our
grandfather Daniel Bennett, Jr. A history of the Harlem
Methodist Church, written by Mr. Kelly Adams, in 1954,
states that "in 1809 Miss Sarah Adams, a beautiful young
lady of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, married the Rever-
end Daniel Bennet". She was twenty-one years old and
he was four years older when they came to Ohio,
accompanied by two of Sarah's brothers, Elijah and
John Adams.
Occupationally, of course, Daniel Bennet, Sr.
Title
Daniel Bennett, Jr. (p. 7)
Description
[page 7]
[corresponds to page 5 of Daniel Bennett, Jr.]
was a farmer. After coming to Ohio, he first bought 150
acres from Benajah Cook; later he added 200 more. Within
three years they had cleared some land, built themselves
log cabins, and, in co-operation with other pioneers, had
built the first church (a log structure) in Harlem Town-
ship, - in 1812, on land owned by Benajah Cook. Daniel
Bennet, Sr. was also a preacher and preached the first
sermon in this new church. When a young man, he had been
licensed to preach in the Methodist Church and, shortly
after coming to Ohio, he was ordained. Baskin's History
of Delaware County* tells us that for over fifty years
"he was a faithful worker in the church and during that
time received no pay for his labor. For many years his
house was a preaching point, and when building his last
residence, he built one large room for that purpose."
His home was located the the south-east corner of the in-
tersection of Delaware County Roads #18 and #25, one mile
directly west of Center Village. Daniel and Sarah Ben-
net had eleven children. Baskin's History tells us that
"they both lived to see all of their children married
and all members of the church".
Ishmael and Abigail Bennet and Daniel, Sr.
and Sarah Bennet are all buried side by side in the
cemetery at Harlem. Remarkably, their gravestones have
not been discolored by age, but are still as clean and
glistening white as when they were erected, perhaps over
a century ago.
DANIEL BENNETT, JR., our grandfather, with
whom we are chiefly concerned, was the seventh of the
eleven children of Daniel, Sr. and Sarah Bennet. Un-
fortunately, we know very little about Daniel's early
life. We do know that up to the time of his sudden
and final illness, he had a "constitution of iron",
that in adult life he had never been compelled to lie
in bed a single day because of illness or accident, -
_______________________
*Baskin, History of Delaware County, Ohio (1880) p. 839.
[corresponds to page 5 of Daniel Bennett, Jr.]
was a farmer. After coming to Ohio, he first bought 150
acres from Benajah Cook; later he added 200 more. Within
three years they had cleared some land, built themselves
log cabins, and, in co-operation with other pioneers, had
built the first church (a log structure) in Harlem Town-
ship, - in 1812, on land owned by Benajah Cook. Daniel
Bennet, Sr. was also a preacher and preached the first
sermon in this new church. When a young man, he had been
licensed to preach in the Methodist Church and, shortly
after coming to Ohio, he was ordained. Baskin's History
of Delaware County* tells us that for over fifty years
"he was a faithful worker in the church and during that
time received no pay for his labor. For many years his
house was a preaching point, and when building his last
residence, he built one large room for that purpose."
His home was located the the south-east corner of the in-
tersection of Delaware County Roads #18 and #25, one mile
directly west of Center Village. Daniel and Sarah Ben-
net had eleven children. Baskin's History tells us that
"they both lived to see all of their children married
and all members of the church".
Ishmael and Abigail Bennet and Daniel, Sr.
and Sarah Bennet are all buried side by side in the
cemetery at Harlem. Remarkably, their gravestones have
not been discolored by age, but are still as clean and
glistening white as when they were erected, perhaps over
a century ago.
DANIEL BENNETT, JR., our grandfather, with
whom we are chiefly concerned, was the seventh of the
eleven children of Daniel, Sr. and Sarah Bennet. Un-
fortunately, we know very little about Daniel's early
life. We do know that up to the time of his sudden
and final illness, he had a "constitution of iron",
that in adult life he had never been compelled to lie
in bed a single day because of illness or accident, -
_______________________
*Baskin, History of Delaware County, Ohio (1880) p. 839.
Title
Daniel Bennett, Jr. (p. 8)
Description
[page 8]
[corresponds to page 6 of Daniel Bennett, Jr.]
although during his later years, he became quite hard of
hearing. This strong constitution must have been devel-
oped by years of hard toil. He was born when the country
was largely a wilderness. He had helped to fell the for-
ests, roll the logs, till the soil with rude implements
drawn by oxen and reap the grain with the sickle. He
probably followed the winding path by blazed trees through
dense forests on horseback to Lancaster, the nearest place
where grinding could be obtained. On his father's farm
there was a brick kiln and we can imagine that Daniel, Jr.
helped in making the brick. The old Harlem Church, built
in 1838, was one of the buildings made with brick from
this kiln.
[photo Daniel Bennett, Jr.]
[photo Margaret Mossman Bennett]
[corresponds to page 6 of Daniel Bennett, Jr.]
although during his later years, he became quite hard of
hearing. This strong constitution must have been devel-
oped by years of hard toil. He was born when the country
was largely a wilderness. He had helped to fell the for-
ests, roll the logs, till the soil with rude implements
drawn by oxen and reap the grain with the sickle. He
probably followed the winding path by blazed trees through
dense forests on horseback to Lancaster, the nearest place
where grinding could be obtained. On his father's farm
there was a brick kiln and we can imagine that Daniel, Jr.
helped in making the brick. The old Harlem Church, built
in 1838, was one of the buildings made with brick from
this kiln.
[photo Daniel Bennett, Jr.]
[photo Margaret Mossman Bennett]
Title
Daniel Bennett, Jr. (p. 9)
Description
[page 9]
[corresponds to page 7 of Daniel Bennett, Jr.]
Daniel Bennett, Jr. married Margaret Mossman
November 30, 1848. He was twenty-nine and she was six-
teen years of age. Margaret Mossman Bennett was born in
Sussex County, New Jersey, May 2, 1832, and at the age of
four years, moved to Ohio in a wagon, with her parents,
Robert and Anna Mossman. They settled near Granville,
but soon afterward moved to Harlem Township, where Marga-
ret spent the remainder of her life. For a time after
their marriage, she and her husband lived with her par-
ents.
Daniel and Margaret Bennett had four children,
all of whom lived to maturity, married and became heads
of families. In order of birth they were: Harwell L.
(1852-1917); Lillie May (1859-1930), the wife of M. L.
Williams; Russell Bigelow (1862-1927); and Mertie Lee
(1866-1960), the wife of Dr. McKendree Smith.
Grandfather Bennett owned and operated a farm
of 150 acres. About 1865, he built an eight-room brick
house, using brick produced on his own farm. The house,
still standing, is located at the south-east corner of the
intersection of Delaware County Roads #17 and #25, one
mile north of Harlem, one mile directly west of his birth-
place, and two miles directly west of Center Village.
During his lifetime, the intersection came to be known
as "Bennett's Corners". The old "brick pond", from which
the clay used in making the brick for the house was exca-
vated, is well remembered as a summer recreation center
where his young grandsons, Ernest, Ray and Floyd, used to
paddle homemade rafts on its muddy water.
[corresponds to page 7 of Daniel Bennett, Jr.]
Daniel Bennett, Jr. married Margaret Mossman
November 30, 1848. He was twenty-nine and she was six-
teen years of age. Margaret Mossman Bennett was born in
Sussex County, New Jersey, May 2, 1832, and at the age of
four years, moved to Ohio in a wagon, with her parents,
Robert and Anna Mossman. They settled near Granville,
but soon afterward moved to Harlem Township, where Marga-
ret spent the remainder of her life. For a time after
their marriage, she and her husband lived with her par-
ents.
Daniel and Margaret Bennett had four children,
all of whom lived to maturity, married and became heads
of families. In order of birth they were: Harwell L.
(1852-1917); Lillie May (1859-1930), the wife of M. L.
Williams; Russell Bigelow (1862-1927); and Mertie Lee
(1866-1960), the wife of Dr. McKendree Smith.
Grandfather Bennett owned and operated a farm
of 150 acres. About 1865, he built an eight-room brick
house, using brick produced on his own farm. The house,
still standing, is located at the south-east corner of the
intersection of Delaware County Roads #17 and #25, one
mile north of Harlem, one mile directly west of his birth-
place, and two miles directly west of Center Village.
During his lifetime, the intersection came to be known
as "Bennett's Corners". The old "brick pond", from which
the clay used in making the brick for the house was exca-
vated, is well remembered as a summer recreation center
where his young grandsons, Ernest, Ray and Floyd, used to
paddle homemade rafts on its muddy water.
Title
Daniel Bennett, Jr. (p. 10)
Description
[page 10]
[corresponds to page 8 of Daniel Bennett, Jr.]
[photo of home of Daniel Bennett in Harlem Township]
The above photograph of the old home is repro-
duced from an original 8" x 10" photograph taken proba-
bly, about 1880. It shows the spacious, well-kept lawn,
with the proud father and mother and all four children,
plus the first son-in-law, Uncle Mitch Williams. For
many years, Grandfather managed the 150-acre farm himself.
In his later years, much of the responsibility was turned
over to Uncle Mitch, who, with family, moved into the
north wing of the eight-room house, while Grandfather and
Grandmother Bennett occupied the south half.
Aside from the farm, Grandfather Bennett owned
and operated, or at least owned, a major interest in a
[corresponds to page 8 of Daniel Bennett, Jr.]
[photo of home of Daniel Bennett in Harlem Township]
The above photograph of the old home is repro-
duced from an original 8" x 10" photograph taken proba-
bly, about 1880. It shows the spacious, well-kept lawn,
with the proud father and mother and all four children,
plus the first son-in-law, Uncle Mitch Williams. For
many years, Grandfather managed the 150-acre farm himself.
In his later years, much of the responsibility was turned
over to Uncle Mitch, who, with family, moved into the
north wing of the eight-room house, while Grandfather and
Grandmother Bennett occupied the south half.
Aside from the farm, Grandfather Bennett owned
and operated, or at least owned, a major interest in a
Title
Daniel Bennett, Jr. (p. 11)
Description
[page 11]
[corresponds to page 9 of Daniel Bennett, Jr.]
stone quarry along Duncan Run, south-west of Harlem. As
early as 1874, we find in son Harwell's diary many entries
such as these:
March 26, 1874 Worked at the quarry.
April 16, 1874 Began opening a new stone quarry at
Harlem.
April 27, 1874 Worked in the quarry for Pa.
June 2, 1874 Worked in the stone quarry.
June 13, 1874 Cutting stone.
Sept. 10, 1874 Worked in the stone quarry.
Oct. 2, 1874 Cut stone and delivered a load.
We recall that one of Grandfather's major inter-
ests was the developement of good roads, by converting
the dirt roads of the township into hard stone pikes, so
that farmers could haul their produce and persons could
travel the year round, regardless of the weather condi-
tions. During the last ten years of his life, he was re-
sponsible for installing stone crushing equipment in the
Duncan Run quarry to provide stone for paving many of the
nearby roads.
Probably the happiest events in the lives of
Grandfather and Grandmother Bennett were those occasions
when they were surrounded by their family- children and
grandchildren. To their sons and daughters who deeply
respected and loved their parents, Daniel and Margaret
Bennett were always "Pa" and "Ma". To the grandchildren,
they were "Grandpa" and "Grandma". And to their many
friends and neighbors, in their later years, they were
known affectionately as "Uncle Dan'l" and "Aunt Margaret".
They felt fortunate because the families of all four chil-
dren lived within convenient driving distance, even in
the horse-and-buggy days, of the old home. The farthest
away were Mertie Smith and family, who had moved to Colum-
bus, while Russell and Harwell lived in nearby Westerville.
They were always welcome to the old home at any time.
[corresponds to page 9 of Daniel Bennett, Jr.]
stone quarry along Duncan Run, south-west of Harlem. As
early as 1874, we find in son Harwell's diary many entries
such as these:
March 26, 1874 Worked at the quarry.
April 16, 1874 Began opening a new stone quarry at
Harlem.
April 27, 1874 Worked in the quarry for Pa.
June 2, 1874 Worked in the stone quarry.
June 13, 1874 Cutting stone.
Sept. 10, 1874 Worked in the stone quarry.
Oct. 2, 1874 Cut stone and delivered a load.
We recall that one of Grandfather's major inter-
ests was the developement of good roads, by converting
the dirt roads of the township into hard stone pikes, so
that farmers could haul their produce and persons could
travel the year round, regardless of the weather condi-
tions. During the last ten years of his life, he was re-
sponsible for installing stone crushing equipment in the
Duncan Run quarry to provide stone for paving many of the
nearby roads.
Probably the happiest events in the lives of
Grandfather and Grandmother Bennett were those occasions
when they were surrounded by their family- children and
grandchildren. To their sons and daughters who deeply
respected and loved their parents, Daniel and Margaret
Bennett were always "Pa" and "Ma". To the grandchildren,
they were "Grandpa" and "Grandma". And to their many
friends and neighbors, in their later years, they were
known affectionately as "Uncle Dan'l" and "Aunt Margaret".
They felt fortunate because the families of all four chil-
dren lived within convenient driving distance, even in
the horse-and-buggy days, of the old home. The farthest
away were Mertie Smith and family, who had moved to Colum-
bus, while Russell and Harwell lived in nearby Westerville.
They were always welcome to the old home at any time.
Title
Daniel Bennett, Jr. (p. 12)
Description
[page 12]
[corresponds to page 10 of Daniel Bennett, Jr.]
Grandfather Bennett was devoted to his grand-
children. He could be counted upon to bring them some
candy whenever he came home from a trip to the country
store. Ray remembers to this day, accurately, the fol-
lowing nonsense rhyme which Grandpa took great delight
in teaching to his little grandsons:
Zee roo die hay dad
Ben hay dad
Pipe pap - Snip snap
Bender brass - Go to grass
The one never-to-be-forgotten annual family
gathering, of course, came at Christmas time. The
Christmas dinner was always a feast, topped off with
Grandma's annual masterpiece, the hickory nut cake.
Three generations, fifteen to eighteen person, would
gather around the long extension table, with its solid
walnut top and solid cherry base- the same table that
now, beautifully refinished serves the fourth and fifth
generations in Eleanor and Paul Gentzel's attractive
Early American dining room in Rocky River, Ohio
Without doubt, the most memorable social event
of all occurred in 1898. The invitation, printed in
gold, read:
1848 1898
Mr. & Mrs. D. Bennett
request the pleasure of your presence at their
GOLDEN WEDDING
November Thirtieth, Eighteen Hundred and Ninety-eight
from 11 to 4.
No Presents
[corresponds to page 10 of Daniel Bennett, Jr.]
Grandfather Bennett was devoted to his grand-
children. He could be counted upon to bring them some
candy whenever he came home from a trip to the country
store. Ray remembers to this day, accurately, the fol-
lowing nonsense rhyme which Grandpa took great delight
in teaching to his little grandsons:
Zee roo die hay dad
Ben hay dad
Pipe pap - Snip snap
Bender brass - Go to grass
The one never-to-be-forgotten annual family
gathering, of course, came at Christmas time. The
Christmas dinner was always a feast, topped off with
Grandma's annual masterpiece, the hickory nut cake.
Three generations, fifteen to eighteen person, would
gather around the long extension table, with its solid
walnut top and solid cherry base- the same table that
now, beautifully refinished serves the fourth and fifth
generations in Eleanor and Paul Gentzel's attractive
Early American dining room in Rocky River, Ohio
Without doubt, the most memorable social event
of all occurred in 1898. The invitation, printed in
gold, read:
1848 1898
Mr. & Mrs. D. Bennett
request the pleasure of your presence at their
GOLDEN WEDDING
November Thirtieth, Eighteen Hundred and Ninety-eight
from 11 to 4.
No Presents
Title
Daniel Bennett, Jr. (p. 13)
Description
[page 13]
[corresponds to page 11 of Daniel Bennett, Jr.]
All of the family and a host of friends gathered in the
old home to celebrate with Daniel and Margaret Bennett
their fifty years of happy, busy and very useful life to-
gether. A remarkable fifty years it was: All of their
sons and daughters, with their wives and husbands and chil-
dren (except for two grandchildren, who had died in very
early infancy) were living and were present - a remarkable
record of fifty years of family ties unbroken by death.
Love for his church, with a deep Christian
faith, was a dominant element and a major interest dur-
ing Grandfather's entire life. He was a member of the
Methodist Church for over seventy-one years, more than
fifty of which he was a class leader. Mr. Kelly Adams,
in his History of the Harlem Methodist Church, tells us
that Grandfather Bennett was a very generous contributor
toward the cost of building the church in 1838. This
church was always an object of his devotion, and weather
was never too bad to keep him from attending, and partici-
pating in its services. The old church building one-
half mile north of Harlem, is still standing.
Daniel Bennett had never known illness until,
in the eighty-third year of his life, in December 1901,
he suffered a stroke. During most of his remaining
twelve weeks, he was able to walk and even to attend
church, but was deprived almost entirely of his speech.
He would sometimes try very hard to converse with friends,
but, being unable to do so, would turn it aside with a
smile. During such times as he was able to make his
thoughts known in broken sentences, he had nothing to say
about his farm, but his whole thought seemed to be about
the church and about how he might do a little more good
in the few days he had left to work. When anyone would
sing to him one of his favorite hymns, his lips would
seem to follow the words, although he could not utter the
sounds.
[corresponds to page 11 of Daniel Bennett, Jr.]
All of the family and a host of friends gathered in the
old home to celebrate with Daniel and Margaret Bennett
their fifty years of happy, busy and very useful life to-
gether. A remarkable fifty years it was: All of their
sons and daughters, with their wives and husbands and chil-
dren (except for two grandchildren, who had died in very
early infancy) were living and were present - a remarkable
record of fifty years of family ties unbroken by death.
Love for his church, with a deep Christian
faith, was a dominant element and a major interest dur-
ing Grandfather's entire life. He was a member of the
Methodist Church for over seventy-one years, more than
fifty of which he was a class leader. Mr. Kelly Adams,
in his History of the Harlem Methodist Church, tells us
that Grandfather Bennett was a very generous contributor
toward the cost of building the church in 1838. This
church was always an object of his devotion, and weather
was never too bad to keep him from attending, and partici-
pating in its services. The old church building one-
half mile north of Harlem, is still standing.
Daniel Bennett had never known illness until,
in the eighty-third year of his life, in December 1901,
he suffered a stroke. During most of his remaining
twelve weeks, he was able to walk and even to attend
church, but was deprived almost entirely of his speech.
He would sometimes try very hard to converse with friends,
but, being unable to do so, would turn it aside with a
smile. During such times as he was able to make his
thoughts known in broken sentences, he had nothing to say
about his farm, but his whole thought seemed to be about
the church and about how he might do a little more good
in the few days he had left to work. When anyone would
sing to him one of his favorite hymns, his lips would
seem to follow the words, although he could not utter the
sounds.
Title
Daniel Bennett, Jr. (p. 14)
Description
[page 14]
[corresponds to page 12 of Daniel Bennett, Jr.]
Grandfather and Grandmother lived to complete
over fifty-three years of life together. Grandfather's
death occurred March 13, 1902 at age 83 years and five
days. Grandmother died eight months later, November 15,
1902.
In 1923, a most fitting memorial to his father
was given to the Westerville Methodist Church by Russell
Bennett. In that year, when the church sanctuary was re-
modled, Russell presented a pipe organ to the church in
memory of his father - a man who had always loved the old,
familiar hymns of the church.
The Dedication Service for the Bennett Memorial
Organ was held on December 16, 1923. The organ was play-
ed by Rowland P. Downing, then organist for the Broad
Street Presbyterian Church of Columbus. Mr. Downing was
a resident of Westerville and a native of Harlem Township,
his boyhood home having been on a farm adjoining that of
our Grandfather Bennett.
When the new church was built in 1958-59, the
old organ had served its purpose and was replaced by a
new one given by the Johnston families. The wood cover-
ing of the pipes of the old organ was used for paneling
the walls of the ladies' lounge of the new church; thus
a part of the old organ still carries on in the church
now known as the Messiah United Methodist Church of West-
erville, Ohio.
We close this sesqui-centennial story by quoting
excerpts from a letter written to Harwell Bennett on
May 14, 1902, by Dr. J. C. Arbuckle, upon having heard
of Grandfather Bennett's death. Rev. Arbuckle had been
Superintendent of the Columbus District of the Methodist
Church and had had frequent contacts with Daniel Bennett
at meetings with the Harlem Church. Dr. Arbuckle's
letter, in well chosen words, also expresses our own
[corresponds to page 12 of Daniel Bennett, Jr.]
Grandfather and Grandmother lived to complete
over fifty-three years of life together. Grandfather's
death occurred March 13, 1902 at age 83 years and five
days. Grandmother died eight months later, November 15,
1902.
In 1923, a most fitting memorial to his father
was given to the Westerville Methodist Church by Russell
Bennett. In that year, when the church sanctuary was re-
modled, Russell presented a pipe organ to the church in
memory of his father - a man who had always loved the old,
familiar hymns of the church.
The Dedication Service for the Bennett Memorial
Organ was held on December 16, 1923. The organ was play-
ed by Rowland P. Downing, then organist for the Broad
Street Presbyterian Church of Columbus. Mr. Downing was
a resident of Westerville and a native of Harlem Township,
his boyhood home having been on a farm adjoining that of
our Grandfather Bennett.
When the new church was built in 1958-59, the
old organ had served its purpose and was replaced by a
new one given by the Johnston families. The wood cover-
ing of the pipes of the old organ was used for paneling
the walls of the ladies' lounge of the new church; thus
a part of the old organ still carries on in the church
now known as the Messiah United Methodist Church of West-
erville, Ohio.
We close this sesqui-centennial story by quoting
excerpts from a letter written to Harwell Bennett on
May 14, 1902, by Dr. J. C. Arbuckle, upon having heard
of Grandfather Bennett's death. Rev. Arbuckle had been
Superintendent of the Columbus District of the Methodist
Church and had had frequent contacts with Daniel Bennett
at meetings with the Harlem Church. Dr. Arbuckle's
letter, in well chosen words, also expresses our own
Title
Daniel Bennett, Jr. (p. 15)
Description
[page 15]
[corresponds to page 13 of Daniel Bennett, Jr.]
thoughts about our Grandfather Bennett:
"I regard it a great privilege to have had the pleasure
of knowing and being acquainted with a man of such no-
bility of character and of such real personal worth as
Daniel Bennett.... He was an honor to his friends, his
family and his community.... Daniel Bennett was, first,
a Christian man. He stood with open heart and hand
ready to help in every good word and work.... He was
faithful, reliable, could be counted upon.... He be-
lieved in the church. He gave to the church his time,
money and efforts. Daniel Bennett was a man who made
his life stand for something in real benefit and help-
fulness to others.... I admired him for his clean cut
convictions, his courage, his generous spirit, and
for his noble and manly life.... He was no ordinary
man.... He left to us the heritage of a beautiful
Christian life."
[corresponds to page 13 of Daniel Bennett, Jr.]
thoughts about our Grandfather Bennett:
"I regard it a great privilege to have had the pleasure
of knowing and being acquainted with a man of such no-
bility of character and of such real personal worth as
Daniel Bennett.... He was an honor to his friends, his
family and his community.... Daniel Bennett was, first,
a Christian man. He stood with open heart and hand
ready to help in every good word and work.... He was
faithful, reliable, could be counted upon.... He be-
lieved in the church. He gave to the church his time,
money and efforts. Daniel Bennett was a man who made
his life stand for something in real benefit and help-
fulness to others.... I admired him for his clean cut
convictions, his courage, his generous spirit, and
for his noble and manly life.... He was no ordinary
man.... He left to us the heritage of a beautiful
Christian life."
Title
Daniel Bennett, Jr. (p. 16)
Description
[page 16]
[corresponds to page 14 of Daniel Bennett, Jr.]
THE BENNETT FAMILY LINE
From Edward Benet to the Family of Daniel Bennett, Jr.
Generation
in America
1 Edward Benet Came from Wiltshire, England to
Massachusetts, 1636. Died 1646.
2 Samuel Benet I (1628-1684)
3 Samuel Benet II (1654-1735)
4 Samuel Benet III (1690- ) 1716 m. Mary Stafford
5 Ishmael Bennet, Sr. (1730-1820) About 1761 m. Martha
---. ( -1775) They had three
children. 1783 m. Abigail Beers
Weeks (1751-1839). They had five
children of whom the eldest was
Daniel, apparently the only one
who came to Ohio.
6 Daniel Bennet Sr. (1783-1861) 1809 m. Sarah Adams
(1787-1872). They had eleven chil-
dren, all of whom married: William,
Harriott, Susanna, Clarcy, Hulda,
Hannah, Daniel, Sally (Adams), Mary
(Fetters), Rev. Russell Bigelow,
John Wesley.
7 Daniel Bennett, Jr. (1819-1902) 1848 m. Margaret
Elizabeth Mossman (1832-1902).
They had four children: Haewell L.,
Lillie May (Williams), Russell
Bigelow, Mertie Lee (Smith).
[corresponds to page 14 of Daniel Bennett, Jr.]
THE BENNETT FAMILY LINE
From Edward Benet to the Family of Daniel Bennett, Jr.
Generation
in America
1 Edward Benet Came from Wiltshire, England to
Massachusetts, 1636. Died 1646.
2 Samuel Benet I (1628-1684)
3 Samuel Benet II (1654-1735)
4 Samuel Benet III (1690- ) 1716 m. Mary Stafford
5 Ishmael Bennet, Sr. (1730-1820) About 1761 m. Martha
---. ( -1775) They had three
children. 1783 m. Abigail Beers
Weeks (1751-1839). They had five
children of whom the eldest was
Daniel, apparently the only one
who came to Ohio.
6 Daniel Bennet Sr. (1783-1861) 1809 m. Sarah Adams
(1787-1872). They had eleven chil-
dren, all of whom married: William,
Harriott, Susanna, Clarcy, Hulda,
Hannah, Daniel, Sally (Adams), Mary
(Fetters), Rev. Russell Bigelow,
John Wesley.
7 Daniel Bennett, Jr. (1819-1902) 1848 m. Margaret
Elizabeth Mossman (1832-1902).
They had four children: Haewell L.,
Lillie May (Williams), Russell
Bigelow, Mertie Lee (Smith).
Dublin Core
Title
Daniel Bennett, Jr.
Subject
Biographies--Daniel Bennett, Jr--Harlem Township--Ohio
Description
This document is the biography of Daniel Bennett, Jr., written
by his grandchildren Louise Bennett Pinney and Raymond Durling Bennett to
commemorate the 150th annivesary of his birth.
by his grandchildren Louise Bennett Pinney and Raymond Durling Bennett to
commemorate the 150th annivesary of his birth.
Creator
Louise Bennett Pinney; Raymond Durling Bennett
Date
1969
Rights
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/
Format
Book
Language
English
Type
Still Image
Text
Text
Identifier
92961002
Collection
Citation
Louise Bennett Pinney; Raymond Durling Bennett, “Daniel Bennett, Jr.,” Delaware County Memory, accessed December 25, 2024, http://66.213.124.233/items/show/6.