Submitted By: Sandy (Whalen) Bauer
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My collection of Bennett family letters started with me finding two letters in an envelope I inherited that had written on the outside "Mother's Old Letters". The handwriting looked like my paternal grandmother's (Maude (Butler) Whalen) so I thought the letters inside would have been written by her mother, my great grandmother, Loucetta (Bennett) Butler. I was totally shocked when I read the first letter, dated August 20, 1861. I then realized this was actually written by my great great grandmother, Philena (Jennings) Bennett. The second letter was also written by Philena in 1863. I shared the "find" with John Bennett, a cousin whose great great grandfather and mine were brothers. We learned of other letters written in the 1860's between Philena's husband, Andrew Wilson Bennett, and his brothers, John J. Bennett and Oliver P. Bennett. We treasure these letters that gave us a look into their every day lives. Here is note from John Bennett I received Dec 2, 2004 about these additional letters he found:
Hi Sandy,
Enjoy, Here is a photo of Oliver Perry "Uncle Buck" Bennett (1832-1907)
April the 22st, 1866 Brother Sir, we received your kind favor one week ago; was glad to hear from you, but sorry that you did not get to come down. You must come as soon as you can and if you like this part better than where you live I will sell you half of mine. Tell old [sant?] to be sure and come too. Bring your guns and we will kill a deer. There will be plenty of peaches and apples down here. We will have some peaches, apples, cherries, and pears if nothing happens. You wanted to know the distance: it is 40 or 41 miles to Olney; 27 to Fairfield, 2 1/2 to Middleton - that is as near as I can tell you. You can make it in 1 1/2 days with the wagon (2 at most). Come by the way of Fairfield, then to Middleton, then to my house. Bring your dogs if it ain¹t too much trouble. There is [some] of them here, but they are not as good as old Lack. I was down to John¹s last Sunday. They are all well. John will get in 12 or 14 acres this spring. I have got 4 acres in oats, 3 broke to hungarion [?], 1 for cotton melons and tobacco, 13 for corn and 12 more to break yet. I am going to plant some tomorrow. The ground is very dry now but it is raining a little now. When you write, let me know what has become of Bill Beavers. He was here this spring and when he left he promised to write as soon as he stopped - he did not know where he would stop at. But I reckon he is with his mammy by this time. George hurt his knee about 2 weeks ago. It got well as we thought. He had been plowing several days and last Thursday night he was playing and fell and hurt it a little and about 11 o¹clock he woke up and said that his knee hurt him so that he could not sleep, so he has not been able to do anything since, but he is getting better now. [Texty?] is as fat and hearty as any of them this Spring. She is as cunning as a weasel and as mischievous as a young goat. We have got something less than 1/2 acre of onions that is 6 inches high. I think if you was here and eat about a peck, it would knock the chills out of you. I have nothing worth your attention to write so I guess I had better quit. Write often and come as soon as you can.
AWB to OPB Friday the 27 I believe Dick has told you all that is worth telling so I haven¹t much to write this time. It has rained a little. We have planted 2 pieces of corn this week. My garden looks well, plenty of lettuce and onions., I have 25 old hens and I have 125 young chickens, 4 more hens setting. I have got my loom up and wove 20 yards of cotton cloth on it. It does fine. This piece is for dresses and shirts. I am going to weave 8 yards more for pants. Write soon as you can. Dick is ready to start to town so good[bye] for the present.
PB to HB OPB Sandy, here's another. Will send scan when I have it done (could be several days - I won't forget to send them). This is from AW's GW to his Uncle (O. P.). Learned that there is an Uncle Will we haven't found yet.John Source: John Bennett 12/2/2004 August the 9, 1869 Dear Uncle, I take my pen in hand to let you know that we are all well at present [and] to let you know that we are coming out there in about two weeks if nothing happens. I want to get in to work up there with you. I don¹t know whether we will all come or not. We are looking for the thrashers next Monday, and we will come in about 2 weeks after that. [Gunn Matie] is going to come with us and they are going to have a big [event?]. They are talking about bringing the net along. Pap had a felon on [?] but it is most [weelt new on]. Buckwheat is up fine. We have got in 60 acres of corn, all new ground but 7 acres. We need a hell of a rain; every thing is so dry that it would burn by touching a match to it. We are not doing anything now. This is poor writing but you could not expect any bites of a Pool. I guess you will have to hunt up a pair of specs to read it. I must close for this time. G. W. Bennett to O. P. Bennett & family from G. W. Bennett to O. P. Bennett Excuse all mistakes and bad spelling, for mistakes don¹t make hay stacks or the horses would be fat. So no more for this time, hoping to hear from you all soon. Uncle John's folks is all well. We got a letter from Uncle Will the other day. They was all well. John got a letter from Uncle George the other day.
Andrew Wilson Bennett (1827-1900) and Philena (Jennings) Bennett (1832-1900)
Children of Andrew Wilson Bennett and Philena (Jennings) Bennett.
Mariah E. Bennett Daughter of Andrew Wilson Bennett and Philena (Jennings) Bennett. Bennett Family Reunion Newspaper Clippings I have 1928, 1929 and 1930 Bennett Family Reunion photos but they are very unusual size so hard to post online. They are approximately 8 inches tall x 24 inches wide. They are large group photos, taken by professional photographers. If you are interested in receiving copies, please contact me and I will be happy to share with you. The 1928 and 1929 reunion photos were taken by Spieth Photographer, Olney, ILL. The 1930 reunion photo was taken on Aug 30, 1930 by Ed Teitsort Photographer, Olney, ILL. The newspaper clippings my paternal grandmother saved which were passed on to me are linked below and transcribed by me. Bennett Reunion The sixth annual Bennett reunion was held at the Mt. Vernon city park Sunday, Aug 7. There were about ninety members present. After dinner a short business session was held. The following officers were elected: President, M.O. Bennett, Dundas, Ill.; vice president, Edward Bennett, Opdyke; secretary, Blossom Bennett, Dundas, Ill. Entertainment was furnished by Story brothers and other talented musicians. Those present from a distance were: Mr. and Mrs. Walter Barnes and daughter of Pearson, Okla., also Lucille Rideout, a friend; Mrs. Nell Rose and son of chicago; Mrs. W. L. Asher, Springfield, Mo.; W. G. Mitchell, Viknia, Ark.; Mrs. Olive Bennett and son Floyd and Mr. and Mrs. Walter Estes, Venice, Ill.; Mr. and Mrs. Perry Bennett, Ingraham, Ill.; Mr. and Mrs. Grover Beavers and family, Newton, Ill.; Mr. and Mrs. Dewy Bennett and family, Mr. and Mrs. Wilmer Bennett, Mr. and Mrs. Zina Riggs, M.O. Bennett and daughters Blossom and Ellen, Dundas, Ill; Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Beavers and Mr. and Mrs. Lowell Seeley and sons, Olney. The meeting for 1933 will be held at the Uncle Buck Bennett homestead, one and one-half miles west of Dundas, Ill. Bennett Family Reunion The descendants and relatives of William Bennett, formerly of Lynchburg, celebrated the Bennett annual family reunion at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Edward R. Bennett at Opdyke Sunday. More than one hundred guests registered. Each one was introduced and their kith and kin announced. "Uncle" George W. Bennett, known as "Fiddling George" was the first with his family to be introduced. A large delegation, the descendents of "Buck" Bennett and his sisters came from Dundas, Illl. Children of the sixth generation were present from New Mexico. Joseph Klinter and family were registered from Chicago and Frank and Oscar G. Price from Jonesboro, Ark., and Covington, La. The following officers were elected: president, M.O. Bennett of Dundas; vice president, Edward R. Bennett of Opdyke; secretary and treasurer, Miss Ellen Bennett of Dundas; chairman of 1938 meeting, Virgil Klinter of Belle Rive. A splendid dinner was enjoyed. Music was furnished by the High school bank of Opdyke and George Shrum, George Bennett, Gene Grothoff and Grover Beevers and family. The president of the reunion being absent, O.G. Price of Covington, La., presided. The 1938 Bennett family reunion meeting will be held in Mt. Vernon at the city park on the first Sunday in August. Bennett Reunion The 14th annual Bennett Reunion was held August 4th at the home of Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Butler near Bluford. Approximately 110 relatives and friends were present.A picnic dinner was served at the noon hour and aunt Celia Bennett of Belle Rive, the eldest relative present, led in prayer. Wilmer Clark, 11 weeks old, son of Mr. and Mrs. John W. Clark of Newton, Ill., was the youngest relative present. Officers were elected as follows: M.O. Bennett, Dundas, Ill., president; and Edward Bennett of Opdyke, secretary and treasurer.
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For corrections or additions, please contact me: Sandy Bauer
