Bennet confusion in Surrey - Genealogists' Forum

Sue from Southend · #1 10-02-14, 12:22

I'm trying to sort out whether there are two Hannah Bennet(t)s in Dorking and would appreciate some input. All the following records are from the Ancestry Surrey Baptisms, Marriages and Burials 1538-1812.

A Thomas Bennet, of Dorking, marries Hannah Nye at Abinger in 1774
http://search.ancestry.co.uk/cgi-bin...ges&gst=&so=3A
I can't see another marriage between a Thomas Bennet(t) and a Hannah.

Between 1777 and 1783 Thomas and Hannah baptise four children at Wotton; James, Hannah, Benjamin and William.

Then in January 1789 twin sisters, Hannah and Elizabeth (surname transcribed as Base!) are baptised as baseborn daughters of Hannah Bennet.

And in May 1789 Elizabeth Bennet daughter of Thomas and Hannah is buried.

There doesn't seem to be a burial for the earlier Hannah.

1792 another daughter, Hezia (maybe Kezia) d of Thomas and Hannah is baptised at Dorking.

My interest is in an Elizabeth Bennet who claims to have been born 1791ish in Dorking and these are the closest. So, is the baseborn daughter of Hannah the same one buried as the daughter of Thomas and Hannah? How can I prove it one way or another. I'm just going round in circles and need another perspective.

kiterunner · #2 10-02-14, 13:31

There is also a Thomas Bennet, son of Thomas and Hannah, baptised 30 Nov 1774 at Wotton, to add to your list.

kiterunner · #3 10-02-14, 13:38

And James, son of Thomas and Hannah Benett, was buried 4 Nov 1784 at Dorking St Martin, not sure if you already have that?

Sue from Southend · #4 10-02-14, 13:39

Ooh, I'd missed Thomas. I did think it odd that there wasn't a Thomas amongst them!

And, yes, I think I had noted the burial of James. There's a burial for a Hannah in 1810 in Dorking aged 58 so proably the mother.

kiterunner · #5 10-02-14, 13:46

Lots of Bennet(t) burials at Dorking, including Hannah age 58 buried 8 Apr 1810 and a Hannah with no age stated, 14 Jun 1797.
The baptisms for Elizabeth and Hannah in 1789 say "by relief", so there might be some information in the poor law records, if they are available.

Shona · #6 10-02-14, 13:48

There's a Josiah baptised in Dorking on 2 Oct 1796 - mother named as Hannah.

Shona · #7 10-02-14, 13:50

Another burial of a Hannah Bennet on 30 Aug 1786 in Dorking - no age given.

kiterunner · #8 10-02-14, 13:51

And there is a burial 30 Aug 1786 of Hannah, daughter of Thomas and Ann Bennet from the Workhouse, also at Dorking St Martin. Ancestry have transcribed her surname as Bennel. Eight days later comes the entry for His Grace Charles, Duke of Norfolk!

I can't see a baptism for a Hannah, daughter of Thomas and Ann, so this could be the burial of the first Hannah.

Sue from Southend · #9 10-02-14, 13:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiterunner

And there is a burial 30 Aug 1786 of Hannah, daughter of Thomas and Ann Bennet from the Workhouse, also at Dorking St Martin. Ancestry have transcribed her surname as Bennel. Eight days later comes the entry for His Grace Charles, Duke of Norfolk!

I can't see a baptism for a Hannah, daughter of Thomas and Ann, so this could be the burial of the first Hannah.

Good spot, Kite! Still not sure whether there are two Hannahs giving birth in Dorking though.

West Surrey FHS have a Cd of Surrey Poor Law records but I'm not sure I want to pay £12.95 for it and it doesn't look as though they do look ups.

kiterunner · #10 10-02-14, 14:08

I suspect it is the same Hannah having all the children and that she was separated from Thomas when Elizabeth and Hannah II were born. But it's just a hunch.