Part of the Acorn Archive

Penzance, Cornwall

Architecture and Heritage

 

A Fountain of Memories

……but for how long?

 

Hannah Maria Bennett died 1881 aged 71 yrs.

To her memory, her doting children had a

memorial drinking fountain placed on Chyandour Cliff in 1886.

Hannah Maria Shepheard was born 18^th December 1809 in Plymouth.

Her parents were John and Johanna Shepheard

 

She married William Dicker Bennett 14^th January 1828

William Dicker Bennett was the son of  Solomon & Elizabeth Bennett of Plymouth.

He was christened in St Andrews, Plymouth  13^th March 1808.

 

They can be seen in the 1851 census at 31 Park Street, Plymouth

William Dicker Bennett, of Plymouth; 42yrs; an Annuitant

Hannah Maria  Bennett Wife, of Plymouth; 41yrs

Children

Thalia S. D. Bennett; 23yrs; School Mistress

Elizabeth D. Bennett; 18yrs School Mistress

William S. Bennett; 16yrs

Johanna Bennett; 13yrs

 

In 1864 their youngest daughter married in Penzance.

Marriage 4th October 1864, by Licence;

George Alexander Waters 41yrs, Staff Comm.RN of St. Gluvias; born Ireland

(Father: Frederick Waters, Major R.M)

to Johanna Bennett 27yrs of Penzance

(Father: William Dicker Bennett, Gentleman)

Her father and brother were witnesses.

The whole family were now living in Penzance.

 

1871 Census

Hannah Maria Bennett was not at home, at the 1871 census.

William was recorded as a Gent of 61 yrs. He was a Property Owner.

Thalia (43yrs) and Elizabeth (39yrs), remain unmarried.

George Waters and his wife Johanna are living here, with their

children George (2yrs, born in Penzance) and Elizabeth (11months, born Penzance)

The family retain their Plymouth Domestic Amelia Teague (32yrs, born Lifton)

and have a Penzance born servant Mary Cornish (38yrs).

 

The son, William Shepheard Bennett was a Surgeon [MRCS]

by 1880 became a member of the

Penzance Natural History and Antiquary Society; Council 1882-90; President 1891.

In the Penzance 1871 Census he is shown as 35 yrs,

with his wife Fanny W Bennett (31yrs of Ottery St Mary).

 

1881 Census

Hannah and her family were living at 6 Penrose Terrace.

William Shepheard Bennett was living at 12 Market Jew Street

with his wife Fanny Williamson Bennett, and their children

Fanny Margaret, Muriel Hope, Kenneth Hugh and Winifred May.

 

Hannah Maria Bennett died 1881 aged 71 yrs.

 

In 1891 William Dicker Bennett had moved to 22 North Parade

and William Shepheard Bennett was living at 9 Morrab Road.

They had another son, Colin N Bennett 8 yrs.

 

1893 William Dicker Bennett lived at 18 Tolver Place

William Dicker Bennett died 1894 aged 86.

 

William Shepheard Bennett died 1906 aged 70.

 

The drinking water has not flowed from this marble monument

for many years, either for humans or for dogs.

It is hoped that this poignant statement of love for a mother

is to be repaired and maintained.

 

 

Raymond Forward