Bennett Family of Bedford & Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania

In researching the Bennett Family of Bedford & Somerset Counties we copied a few letters (and notes that the librarians made) written by other researchers inquiring about the Bennett surname.  These particular letters are stored in family file folders at the Meyersdale Public Library, Meyersdale, Pennsylvania.  A great group of people there who were instrumental in helping us locate many Bennett records.  We feel that including them may be of help to fellow researchers.   We will not in respect to the privacy of the individuals composing these letters give out their addresses, but will include their names and the state they hail from.  Keep in mind that some of these letter are more than 30 years old.  You will notice brackets [?], these are words or dates that are not clear,  all else is keyed exactly as written in the letters..

Meyersdale, Pa., Feb 20, 1962[?]

To:  Mrs. Harry Youngberg, Lebanon, Oregon

ISAAC BENNETT appeared on a tax list for Brothersvalley township, Bedford Co., PA., in the year 1793; he also was enumerated in Brothersvalley census for 1800.  Somerset County was established in 1795 at which time Brothersvalley was in Somerset County.  This is the only Bennett family of record here at that period, CHARLES BENNETT was probably the *son uncle of ISAAC.  *the word "son" is crossed out

We shall keep looking and notify you when anything more is located on this family in Somerset County.  We shall be pleased to receive a copy of the story of ALEXANDER BENNETT.  Also any other Somerset county natives mentioned in local histories which you may find.  We trust you will supply a carbon copy of the family history when completed, for our permanent file.  We are compiling records of some 600 pioneer settlers.   The name LAUREL is very significant here because of the mountain laurel which is found on all sides.  We have a village named Laurelville, a Laurel Hill mountain, Laurel Hill Creek, a tourist organization known as Laurel Highlands Inc., and LAUREL MESSENGER.

We find BENNETT families are very numerous in the Presbyterian church register at Churchville, Bucks Co., PA., but not certain whether ISAAC came here from that section.  From that record we quote: "ISAAC BENNETT m. 170ct1745 MARIA VANHORN;  ISAAC BENNETT 14 Sep 1754 m. MARGARETTA VANDYKE; ISAAC BENNETT m. 16 Sep 1804 MARY BENJAMIN, ELIZABETH (3), JOHN (3), JANE, JEANETTE, WILLIAM BENNETT d. 19 Jan 1684; m. REBECCA; their children MARY m. THOMAS CHANDLER;  ELIZABETH; REBECCA; SARAH; ANNE; WILLIAM JR.

The following BENNETT families are listed residents in Somerset Co., PA., in the County Directory dated 19[?]            ABRAHAM BENNETT - FRANK BENNETT SR. & JR. - JOHN BENNETT - WILLIAM BENNETT - W.S. BENNETT                    _______________________________________________________________________________

**Note: The next copies "appear" to be from Mrs. Harry Youngberg.  Unfortunately we do not have a signature for the author of these letters, however the continued reference to Alex Bennett indicates that they are more than likely from this same woman.. 

#1.  "In the Packard, Oregon, Oregonian about Alex. Bennett as an early Oregon circuit Rider minister.  If at any time, your society is interested in how one of Somerset County's native son's made out in the "far west", I would be glad to send a copy.  Alexander died in 1907."

#2.  March 12, 1871. 

Letter from John W. Burns [?] to his brother-in-law Alexander Bennett in Oregon.  "Father Bennett (meaning Charles Bennett) has gone to Pennsylvania on a visit.  He started on the 27th of Feb. and don't expect to come back till the last of March or the first of April." 

This confirms Charles Bennett's visit back to Pa. from Putnam Co., Ohio in 1871.  This would make me believe that Charles had a brother Daniel and a sister or sister in law, Polly Bennett.  The mention of Polly's' son Isaac begins to bring that name definitely into my Bennett family.  I am wondering if the Isaac Bennett's in Churchville, Buck's Co., Pa can be related to my Charles.  I had read this letter before but was thinking Daniel Flickenger and Polly Flickinger and not Bennett.  I also found a letter from Cornelius VanDorston, oldest son of Polly Flickinger and Samuel VanDorsten to his cousin Alex. Bennett in Oregon written in 1855 from Cedar Valley, Wayne Co., Ohio to Alex B.

#3.  March 22, 1963 -  Copied from a letter written by Harriet Rebecca Bennett Swahart from Putnam Co., Ohio to Alexander Bennett in Oregon.  Harriet Rebecca signs her letters 'Becky' to her brother Alexander.

March 10, 1871,

"Uncle Daniel Bennett departed this life Oct. 16th.  He was paralyzed in is feet and legs.  Father (meaning Charles Bennett) was down to see him last spring.  He had been confined to his bed three or four years, so that they had to handle him like a child.  Aunt Polly Bennett departed this life Aug. 30 Last Easter, she was struck with palsy in her right side, which became helpless.  Her son, Isaac, came from Pennsylvania to take her home with him.  He was going to take car of her and in eight days from the day that she left here, she was a corpse."    

I thought perhaps Becky was in error and meant Daniel Flickenger and Polly Fickinger Van Dorsten but they did not die until 1880's.

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Bennett File Meyersdale

FAMILY OF CHARLES AND CATHERINE FLICKINGER BENNET

CHARLES BENNET was born 1803, Died 1875, aged 72 years.    CATHERINE FLICKINGER BENNET was born 1803, Died 1888, aged 85 years.  [?] a daughter of JACOB D. and SUSAN WITT FLICKINGER.   CHARLES BENNET and CATHERINE FLICKINGER were married 1823.  Migrated to [?] 'YNE' Co., Ohio in 1831.  Both are buried in Leipsic, Ohio.

CHILDREN:

ALEXANDER BENNET was born Dec. 25, 1824.  Died Feb. 25, 1907.  Married 1st. MARGARET HENDRICKSON in 1858, 2nd. SARAH CLARK in 1879.

JOHN J. BENNET was born 1827, Died 1864 in Chattanooga, Tenn. while serving as a soldier in the Civil War.

CHARLES BENNET was born Aug. 16, 1829. Died Oct. 3, 1909.  Married 1st. SARAH JANE STAHL born in 1834, Died 1870.  2nd. ELIZABETH STAHL a sister, born 1832, Died 1914.

CATHERINE MARIA BENNET was born 1831, Died 1918, aged 87 yrs.  Married JONATHAN ROGERS, 1855, Born Dec. 3, 1823, Died 1869.

ROSANNA BENNET was born Oct. 18, 1833, Died 1918.  Married JOHN H. DICKEY.

MARY JANE BENNET was born 1835, Died 1903.  Married ANDREW BECKFORD in 1852, Died in Libby Prison in 1863, while a Prisoner of War.

DANIEL BENNET was born 1838, Died 1841.

HARRIET REBECCA BENNET was born 1841, Died 1919, aged 78 years.  Married JOEL SWIHART in 1866, he was born in 1837, Died 1914.  Was a Civil War Veteran.

SARAH BENNET was born Aug 3, 1843, Died [blank]  Married JOHN W. BURNS a Brethren Minister, he was born 1833, died Aug. 1898.

The above Data taken from the Flickinger Genealogy. Aug 16, 1932 (E.C.S.)

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Note:  You can obtain copies of these letters & notes by writing to:  Meyersdale Library, 210 Center St., Meyersdale, PA.