(NOTE: As of November 24, 2013, this is one member of the 86th Illinois whom we will probably never know for certain where he is buried. Baxter could really use some help on this one.)

Private WILLIAM BENNETT, Co. D & Co. H, 86th Illinois

William Bennett was born on November 2/3, 1821 in Garnback, Monmouthsire, Wales, the son of Nicholas Bennet and Mary (___________) Bennet. William's parents had him baptized in Aberystruth, Monmouth shire, Wales on 28 February 1826. Father's occupation listed as labourer and their abode as Nantyglo.
William Bennett was married to Anne Lewis about May 10, 1847 Blaina, Monmouthshire, Wales. According to her baptismal record, Anne was born to John Lewis and Martha (__________) Lewis on 29 ult (this means last, hence November 1824), and was baptised on 19 December 1824, Aberystruth, Monmouthshire. Father's occupation listed as Labourer and abode as Nantyglo. The 1841 Census has Ann Lewis was living with her parents John and Martha and siblings William, Joseph, James and John and an uncle named John Gwynne at Garn Vach, Nanty Glo Iron Works, Aberystruth, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, Wales.
The 1851 census for England and Wales shows that William Bennet had been born in Glamorganshire, Wales, but does not give a parish or town. William and Ann, with their two children, left for America in 1852 and William Bennet and Ann, Nicholas and Martha Louise arrived in America on a Ship named "Plantaganet", departed Liverpool, arrived New York on 5 June 1852. Wm Bennet was aged 30 Male, Ann Bennet was aged 27, female, Nicholas Bennet was aged 4 and Martha Bennet listed as an infant.
Two children are known to have been born to William Bennett and Ann (Lewis) Bennett. They are;
1. Nicholas Bennett, born on October 5, 1847 in Wales. When he was four years of age, his parents brought him to America. In the 1860 and 1870 census, Nicholas is found with the family in Peoria County, Illinois and in Fulton County, Illinois. Nicholas was married to Mary Agnes Carey on January 20, 1873 in Bloomington, Illinois. Mary was born c. 1854/55 in Illinois, the daughter of ___________ Carey and ___________ (__________) Carey.
The children born to Nicholas and Mary Agnes include;
A. Nicholas William Bennett, born October __, 1873, possibly in McLean County, Illinois. Nicholas was married to Martha Sampson c.

At the time of the 1910 census, Nicholas and his family are found in Putman, Fulton County, Illinois. His father and mother are listed as having been born in Wales and Illinois, respectively;
Nicklos Bennet Head M 36 Illinois
Martha Bennet Wife F 32 Illinois
Franklin Bennet Son M 7 Illinois
Imogene Bennet Daughter F 4 Illinois

Familysearch has the following information about Nicholas;
Name Nicholas Wm Bennett
Event Type Death
Event Date 09 Jun 1936
Event Place Chicago, Cook, Illinois, United States
Address 2544 N Hamlin Ave
Gender Male
Age 62
Marital Status Married
Race White
Occupation Yard Foreman
Birth Date 16 Oct 1873
Birthplace Bloomington, , Illinois
Funeral Home Christ Nielsen Inc
Burial Date 11 Jun 1936
Burial Place Greenview, Menard, Illinois
Cemetery Local
Father's Name Nicholas Bennett
Spouse's Name Martha Bennett
Informant's Name Stephen Bennett

Nicholas W. Bennett's mortal remains were laid in the Sugar Grove Cemetery in Sweet Water, Menard County, Illinois. See his Find A Grave Memorial# 35412484.

B. Frank Bennett, born c. 1875/76 in Illinois.

C. Edward Bennett, born c. November 26, 1877/78 in or near Bryant, Fulton County, Illinois. Familysearch has the following;
Name Edward Bennett
Event Date 04 Nov 1937
Event Place Canton, Fulton, Ill
Gender Male
Age 59
Birth Year (Estimated) 1878
Birth Date 26 Nov 1878
Birthplace Bryant, Ill.
Father's Name Nicholas Bennett
Father's Birthplace unknown
Mother's Name Mary Covey
Mother's Birthplace unknown
Occupation Laborer
Residence Place Canton, Fulton, Ill.
Spouse's Name Elizabeth Thomas
Burial Date 06 Nov 1937
Burial Place Canton, Fulton, Ill.
Cemetery Greenwood

D. Andrew Bennett, born c. 1880 in Illinois.

E. Irvin/Ervin Bennett, born c. 1881/82 in Illinois. His name is believed to have been Ervin Jacob Bennett and he is believed to have been born in or near Bryant, Fulton County, Illinois on September 18, 1882. Irvin is found with the family in 1900, but, in 1910, Irvin is believed to be the Ervin J Bennett, who is found in Roundup Coal Camp School District, Yellowstone County, Montana, where he is working as a Coal Miner. His father and mother are listed as having been born in England and Illinois, respectively and Ervin is 27 years of age and was born in Illinois.
By 1942, Ervin is believed to be the Ervin Jacob Bennett, who is working for the Shell Oil Co. and living in Seattle, Washington. It is not known when Ervin died or where his mortal remains were laid.

F. Felicia Bennett, born c. _________ __, 1884 in Illinois. Felicia Bennett was married to Charles Vernon O'Bryant (1881–1925).
One of their children was;
a. MaryLee O'Bryant, born 29 Nov 1908 in Bryant, Fulton County, Illinois. MaryLee was married to Russell Lloyd McConkey (1908–2003). One of their children was Ronald Eugene "Gene" McConkey. MaryLee died on 26 Feb 1939 and her mortal remains were laid in the Cuba Cemetery in Cuba, Fulton County, Illinois. See her Find A Grave Memorial #61475289.

Felicia died on __________ __, 1972 and her mortal remains were laid in the Maryville Cemetery in Bryant, Fulton County, Illinois. See her Find A Grave Memorial #105969449.

G. Louis Bennett, born c. 1886/87 in Kansas.

H. Clell Bennett, born c. 1888/89 in Illinois.

I. Mary Clarissa "Ressa" Bennett, born c. January 20, 1893/95 in Illinois. Mary Clarissa was married to James W. Welch (1884 - 1962). They were the parents of;
a. James Knox Welch (1915 - 1998)

b. Mary Elizabeth Welch Jump (1917 - 1997)

Mary Clarissa (Bennett) Welch died on February 9, 1984 in Cuba, Fulton County, Illinois and her mortal remains were laid in the Cuba Cemetery in Cuba, Fulton County, Illinois. See her Find A Grave Memorial# 61743910.

At the time of the 1880 census, Nicholas and his family are found in Buckheart, Fulton County, Illinois, where he is working as a Coal Miner;
Nicholas Bennett Self M 32 Wales
Mary C Bennett Wife F 25 IL
Nicholas Bennett Son M 7 Illinois
Frank Bennett Son M 4 Illinois
Edward Bennett Son M 2 Illinois
Ellen Carey Sister-in-law F 23 IL

Nicholas died on March 1, 1900, most likely in Fulton County, Illinois and his mortal remains were laid in the Maryville Cemetery in Bryant, Fulton County, Illinois.
At the time of the 1900 census, Mary and the children are found residing in the village of Bryant, Buckheart Township, Fulton County, Illinois. She is listed as widowed and has had nine children, eight of whom are living. Her parents are listed as having been born in Ireland;
Mary Bennett Head F Oct 1854 46 Illinois
Nicholis Bennett Son M 27 Illinois
Ed Bennett Son M 23 Illinois
Andrew Bennett Son M 20 Illinois
Irvin Bennett Son M 18 Illinois
Felicia Bennett Daughter F 16 Illinois
Louis Bennett Son M 13 Kansas
Clell Bennett Son M 11 Illinois
Ressa Bennett Daughter F 7 Illinois

Mary Agnes died on August 9, 1939 and her mortal remains were also laid in the

2. Martha Lewis (or Louise) Bennett, born July 16, 1852 in Cum Celyn, Monmouthshire, Wales. Before she was married, Martha had a child born out of wedlock, Elizabeth "Lizzie" Bennett, who was born on August 29, 1869. Lizzie was married to George McClelland Dibert on November 2, 1886. In the 1900, 1910, 1920 and 1930 census records, Elizabeth and McLelland are found residing in Canton Township of Fulton County, Illinois. It appears that they never had any children. In the 1900 census, seen below, Elizabeth and McClelland are listed as having been married 14 years and she has had no children. Both of her parents were born in Wales;
Mcclellean Dibert Head M 38 Illinois
Elizabeth Dibert Wife F 30 Illinois

Lizzie lived to be 103 years old, dying on ____________ __, 1973. Her mortal remains were laid in the Greenwood Cemetery in Canton, Fulton County, Illinois. See her Find A Grave Memorial# 114533308.

Martha Lewis Bennett was married on December 16, 1877 to John F. Jones in Fulton County, Illinois. John F. Jones was born on July 16, 1853 in Conway, Wales, the son of ____________ Jones and ____________ (__________) Jones.
The children born to John and Martha include;
A. Annie Jones, born c. 1878/79 in Fulton County, Illinois. Annie is found with the family in 1880. She most likely married in the 1890's as she is not found with the family in 1900.

B. William "Willie" Jones, born November 28, 1879 in Orion Township, Fulton County, Illinois. Familysearch has the following record;
Name William Jones
Event Date 03 May 1936
Event Place Canton, Fulton, Illinois
Gender Male
Age 56
Birth Year (Estimated) 1880
Birth Date 28 Nov 1879
Birthplace Orion Twp., Fulton, Ill.
Father's Name John F. Jones
Father's Birthplace Wales
Mother's Name Martha L. Bennett
Mother's Birthplace Wales
Occupation Trouble shooter-gas stoves
Residence Place Canton, Fulton, Ill.
Burial Date 05 May 1936
Burial Place Canton, Fulton, Ill.
Cemetery Greenwood

C. Mary Jones, born October 22, 1881 in or near Canton, Fulton County, Illinois. Mary was married to Robert George Reed on January 1, 1902 in Canton, Illinois. Their children include;
a. George B. Reed, born 1902 in Canton, Fulton County, Illinois.
b. Mary Louise Reed, born c. 1903/04 in Canton, Fulton County, Illinois.
c. Alice B. Reed, born c. 1908/09 in Canton, Fulton County, Illinois. Alice may be the Alice Susan (Reed) Evans whose mortal remains were laid in the Maryville Cemetery;
Maiden Name Reed
Event Type Burial
Event Place Bryant, Fulton, Illinois, United States of America
Photograph Included N
Affiliate Record Identifier 105577086
Cemetery Maryville Cemetery
d. Raymond L. Reed, born c. 1911/12 in Canton, Fulton County, Illinois.
e. Helen L. Reed, born May 13, 1917 in Canton, Fulton County, Illinois. Helen L Reed was married to William C. Dodds on January 15, 1949 in Kewanee, Illinois. Helen died on June 2, 1995 in Canton, Fulton County, Illinois and her mortal remains were laid in the Greenwood Cemetery in Canton, Fulton County, Illinois.

At the time of the 1910 census, Mary and her family are found residing at 345 West Spruce Street in Ward 2 of the city of Canton, Fulton County, Illinois;
Robert G Reed Head M 35 Ohio
Mary Reed Wife F 28 Illinois
Georgie B Reed Son M 8 Illinois
Mary L Reed Daughter F 6 Illinois
Alice L Reed Daughter F 1 Illinois

At the time of the 1920 census, Mary and her family are found residing at what is identified as 345 West Spruce Street in Ward 2 of the city of Canton, Fulton County, Illinois;
Robert G Reed Head M 44 Ohio
Mary Reed Wife F 38 Illinois
George B Reed Son M 17 Illinois
Mary Louise Reed Daughter F 14 Illinois
Alice B Reed Daughter F 11 Illinois
Raymond L Reed Son M 8 Illinois
Helen L Reed Daughter F 2 Illinois

At the time of the 1930 census, Mary and her family reside at 54 W. Myrtle Street in Canton, Fulton County, Illinois. Robert is listed as a Coal Miner;
Robert G Reed Head M 55 Ohio
Mary Reed Wife F 49 Illinois
Alice B Reed Daughter F 21 Illinois
Raymond F Reed Son M 18 Illinois
Helen L Reed Daughter F 12 Illinois

At the time of the 1940 census, Mary and her family are found residing at 54 W. Myrtle Street in Ward 2 of the city of Canton, Canton Township, Fulton County, Illinois. Robert is still listed as a Coal Miner;
G Robert Reed Head M 65 Ohio
Mary Reed Wife F 58 Illinois
Alice Reed Daughter F 31 Illinois
Raymond Reed Son M 28 Illinois
Helen Reed Daughter F 22 Illinois

Mary (Jones) Reed died on February 20, 1945 in Canton, Illinois. Her parents are listed as John F Jones and Martha L Bennett. Mary's mortal remains were laid in the Greenwood Cemetery in Canton, Fulton County, Illinois. See her Find A Grave Memorial# 82222474.

D. Edward Jones, born June __, 1883 in Fulton County, Illinois. Edward Jones is found with the family in the 1900 census. Edward was married to Jennie N. Nix in the early 1900's. Their children include;
a. Elizabeth Jones, born c. 1906/07 in Illinois. Elizabeth was married to Earl L. Hutton in the 1930's.
b. Elva Marjorie Jones, born May 26, 1909 in Illinois. Elva was married to Russell M. Taylor in 19__ and they had at least one daughter, Jane, who was born on October 15, 1940 in Peoria, Illinois. Jane was married to ____________ Becksted. Jane has at least one daughter, Rachel Knight (Becksted) Lyman, who resides in Tucson, Arizona.
At the time of the 1940 census, Elva and Russell resided at 601 W. Wilcox in Ward 5 of the city of Peoria, Peoria City Township, Peoria County, Illinois, where Russell was an Embalmer for a local mortician;
Russell M Taylor Head M 29 Illinois
Elva Taylor Wife F 30 Illinois

In the early 1950's, Elva ad Russell moved their family to Brimfield, Peoria County, Illinois and then about 1970 to Tucson, Arizona.

At the time of the 1930 census, Edward and his family are found at 926 North Vine Street in the city of Kewanee, Henry County, Illinois, where he is a Machine Operator for Plumbers Fittings;
Edward Jones Head M 46 Illinois
Jennie M Jones Wife F 45 Illinois
Elizabeth Jones Daughter F 23 Illinois
Elva M Jones Daughter F 20 Illinois

At the time of the 1940 census, Edward and his family are still found residing at 926 N. Vine Street in Kewanee, Kewanee Township, Henry County, Illinois, where he is a Machinist for Walworth Manufacturing. His son-in-law is also a Machinist at Walworth;
Edward Jones Head M 56 Illinois
Jennie Jones Wife F 55 Illinois
Earl L Hutton Son-in-law M 30 Illinois
Elizabeth Hutton Daughter F 33 Illinois
Earl E Hutton Grandson M 7 Illinois

Edward Jones died on ____________ __, 1957 and his mortal remains were laid in the Brimfield Township Cemetery in Brimfield, Peoria County, Illinois.

E. John A. Jones, born ___________ __, 1886 in Fulton County, Illinois. John died on ___________ __, 1890 and his mortal remains were laid in the Greenwood Cemetery in Canton, Fulton County, Illinois. See his Find A Grave Memorial# 82318400.

F. Elva M. Jones, born July 12, 1889 in Fulton County, Illinois. In 1910, Elva is found residing with her parents and she is listed as being a Teacher in the Fulton County School System. Elva M. Jones was married to Harry Leland Thompson (1892 - 1956) on June 1, 1915 in Fulton County, Illinois. Their children include;
a. Marjorie L. Thompson, born c. 1916/17 in Illinois.
b. Doris V. Thompson, born c. 1918/19 in Illinois.

At the time of the 1930 census, Elva and her family is found residing on East Timber in the city of Pontiac, Livingston County, Illinois, where Harry is an Electrical Contractor;
Harry L Thompson Head M 37 Illinois
Elva M Thompson Wife F 40 Illinois
Marjorie L Thompson Daughter F 13 Illinois
Doris V Thompson Daughter F 11 Illinois

Familysearch has the following record;
Name Elva M. Thompson
Event Type Burial
Event Date 1957
Event Place Pontiac, Livingston, Illinois, United States of America
Photograph Included Y
Birth Date 12 Jul 1889
Death Date 09 Apr 1957
Affiliate Record Identifier 73722144
Cemetery South Side Cemetery

Elva M. (Jones) Thompson did die on April 9, 1957 and her mortal remains were laid in the South Side Cemetery in Pontiac, Livingston County, Illinois. See her Find A Grave Memorial# 73722144.

In 1880, Martha and her family are found in Putman, Fulton County, Illinois;
John F Jones Self M 26 Wales
Martha Jones Wife F 27 Wales
Lizzie Jones Daughter F 10 Illinois
Annie Jones Daughter F 1 Illinois
Willie Jones Son M 0 Illinois
Ann Bennet Mother-in-law F 58 Wales
Mary Bennet Sister-in-law F 12 Illinois

At the time of the 1900 census, Martha and her family are found residing at what appears to read 347 S. Ave A in Ward 3 in the city of Canton, Canton Township, Fulton County, Illinois. She is listed as being the mother of 7 children, 6 of whom are still living;
John F Jones Head M Jul 1853 47 Wales
Martha L Jones Wife F Jul 1852 48 Wales
Marry Jones Daughter F Oct 1881 19 Illinois
Edward Jones Son M Jun 1883 17 Illinois
Elva M Jones Daughter F Jul 1889 11 Illinois

At the time of the 1910 census, Martha and her family are found residing at 526 S. Avenue A in Ward 3 of the city of Canton, Fulton County, Illinois
John F Jones Head M 56 England Coal Mine Engineer
Martha L Jones Wife F 58 England
Elva M Jones Daughter F 20 Illinois County School Teacher

At the time of the 1920 census, Martha and John are found residing at what is identified as 725 N. Ave C in Canton Ward 2, Fulton County, Illinois;
John F Jones Head M 66 Wales
Martha L Jones Wife F 68 Wales

Martha L. (Bennett) Jones died on ___________ __, 1922, while John F. Jones died on ___________ __, 1927. Their mortal remains were laid in the Greenwood Cemetery in Canton, Fulton County, Illinois. See her Find A Grave Memorial# 100385165.

Now to continue with what we know about William and Ann (Lewis) Bennett and their family;
Shortly after the birth of their daughter Martha, probably in 1852, William and Ann brought the family to America, settling first in Pennsylvania, and later coming to Illinois. Ann's obituary states that, "In this state they lived for several years in Bloomington." At the time of the 1860 census, however, the Bennetts are found in Limestone Township in Peoria County, Illinois at the time of the 1860 census. William's occupation is listed as Collier in an area mine. Around them are several other families from England, Wales and Scotland.
2195 Bennett Wm. 40 M collier 50 England
2195 Bennett Ann 35 F England
2195 Bennett Nicholas 9 M England
2195 Bennett Martha 7 F England

On July 21, 1862, William Bennett was the very first to volunteer to serve in a company which was going to being raised primarily in the Trivoli, Illinois area by James S. Bean for service in the Union Army. William listed Limestone Township as his place of residence at the time he volunteered in Peoria, Illinois and his occupation as Miner.

ILLINOIS CIVIL WAR DETAIL REPORT

Name BENNETT, WILLIAM
Rank PVT Company D Unit 86 IL US INF

Personal Characteristics
Residence LIMESTONE, PEORIA CO, IL Age 40 Height 5' 5 Hair LIGHT
Eyes GRAY Complexion LIGHT Marital Status MARRIED Occupation MINER
Nativity SOUTH, WALES

Service Record
Joined When JUL 21, 1862 Joined Where PEORIA, IL
Joined By Whom J S BEAN Period 3 YRS
Muster In AUG 27, 1862 Muster In Where PEORIA, IL
Muster In By Whom N/A Muster Out N/A
Muster Out Where N/A Muster Out By Whom N/A
Remarks TRANS TO CO H 86 ILL INF SEP 10, 1862

Before the end of July and before Bean began recruiting in Trivoli, two other Peoria area men, Henry Daily and John W. Hart, also volunteered to serve in Bean's company. On August 8, 1862, Bean began actively recruiting in Trivoli. On the afternoon of August 15th, Bean led about 90 Trivoli volunteers, plus the three Peoria volunteers, into Peoria, where they went into camp at Camp Lyon, near present day Glen Oak Park. On August 27, 1862, 83 of those volunteers, including now Privates Bennett, Daily and Hart, were mustered in as Company D of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry. James S. Bean, who was elected by the men of Co. D to be their Captain, was elected and promoted to Major of the entire regiment, so the men of Co. D then elected Frank Hitchcock to be their Captain.
On September 7, 1862, the men of the 85th & 86th Illinois marched out the gates of Camp Lyon, through the streets of Peoria, with much fanfare, and boarded a train bound for Camp Joe Holt, Jeffersonville, Indiana. On September 10, 1862, the three Peoria area men were transferred to Co. H of the 86th, which was raised primarily in Peoria.

ILLINOIS CIVIL WAR DETAIL REPORT

Name BENNETT, WILLIAM
Rank PVT Company H Unit 86 IL US INF

Personal Characteristics
Residence PEORIA, PEORIA CO, IL Age N/A Height 5' 5 Hair LIGHT
Eyes GRAY Complexion LIGHT Marital Status MARRIED Occupation MINER
Nativity SOUTH WALES

Service Record
Joined When N/A Joined Where N/A
Joined By Whom N/A Period N/A
Muster In N/A Muster In Where N/A
Muster In By Whom N/A Muster Out N/A
Muster Out Where N/A Muster Out By Whom N/A
Remarks TRANS FROM CO D 86 ILL INF DISCHARGED FOR DISABILITY FEB 5, 1864 AT CAMP MCAFFEE GA

Bennett, Daily and Hart may very well have had some friends and neighbors in this company, where they probably didn't know anyone in Co. D. Bennett, Daily and Hart would serve the rest of their time in the service in Co. H of the 86th.
Three weeks later, the men of the 85th & 86th were in the field in Kentucky as part of Col. Daniel McCook's Brigade, chasing Confederate troops in Kentucky. On Oct. 8, 1862, the men of McCook's Brigade were engaged with those troops in the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, the 85th & 86th Illinois suffering their first casualties. There would be many more to come.
After the Battle of Perryville, the Confederate forces withdrew from Kentucky, while the men of McCook's Brigade marched on to Nashville, Tenessee where they would go into winter camp. For the next 15 months or so, Private William Bennett, though one of the oldest members of Co. H, served faithfully. In the late summer and early fall of 1863, the men of McCook's Brigade participated in the Campaign for Chattanooga, participating in the Battle of Chickamauga, Georgia. After the Union gained control of Chattanooga and the surrounding area, the men of McCook's Brigade went into winter camp at McAfee's Church on the south edge of the Chickamauga battlefield.
During the winter of 1863/64, the poor diet and living conditions took a heavy toll on the troops in the field, as it had the previous winter in the field. One of the soldiers that was having great difficulty with his health was Private William Bennett, who was at least 41 years age at this time and possibly as old as 43. In early February, the army doctors decided that it was best for Private Bennett to go home in hopes, that with the help of family and some home cooking, that he would survive and regain his health. So, on February 5, 1864, while the men of McCook's Brigade were camped at McAfee's Church, Georgia, Private William Bennett was discharged from the service for disability and sent home.
Private William Bennett may never have been the same after returning from the service. He began collecting an Invalid Pension for his service on March 15, 1867. He was about 46 years of age.
At the time of the 1870 census, William is found in Hollis Township. He is still trying to work. He and Nicholas are found living alone in Hollis Township with a large group of miners in a home or community group for miners that is operated by Charles Hubbell and his family;
131 Bennet Wm. 50 M W Miner Wales
131 Bennet Nicholas 23 M W Miner Wales

Howver, Carol sent me an email in July of 2012 stating that she also found the Bennetts, including William and Nicholas, in the 1870 federal census. "The family listed below was found in Buckheart, Fulton Co., IL. Post office listed as St. David.
William Bennett, 47, Coal miner, Wales
Ann Bennett, 40, Wales
Nicholas Bennett, 23, Coal miner, Wales
Martha Bennett, 19, Wales
Mary A. Bennett, 3, Illinois
Elizabeth Bennett, 11 months, Illinois"

After seeing this biography, Jane Becksted wrote that, "Mary Ann was raised by William and Ann, you might say a foster child. She was born a Bath and was always aware of her Bath family. She left her Bath descendents an inheritance as well as the Bennett descendents. Elizabeth Ann was the illegitimate child of Martha's and raised by she and John Jones. I knew both these women and they were always close and lived together after their spouses passed away. I also found William and Nicholas in McLean and the rest of the family in Peoria in the 1870 Census. Nicholas was married to Mary Agnes Carey and there was a Carey with them in McLean county and possibility that is how he met his future wife."

Perhaps when he and Nicholas were working they stayed near the mine, their main residence remaining in Buckheart Township in Fulton County.

Carol also wrote, "I'm questioning, at this point, to whom the two small children belong.
In 1880, I found Ann Bennet with the John F. Jones family in Putman Twp., Fulton Co., IL.
I have not found Ann in 1900. She is not living with her son-in-law and daughter in Canton, Fulton County, IL. The 1900 census, for Martha, shows she immigrated in 1852. Martha had 7 children/6 living. Nicholas is deceased, but his widow had 9 children/8 living according to that same census. Nicholas' widow is still residing in Buckheart township."

From Ann's obituary we now know that Private William Bennett spent his last days in Danville, Illinois. Carol is questioning this. Could this be St. David. According to one site I found, "Construction of the Danville Soldiers' Home was not started until 1898 & the dedication was made in 1899. The first veteran wasn't admitted until Oct. 13, 1898." So was the Soldiers Home even in Danville in the 1870's? Ann's obituary states that, "Mr. Bennett died about 30 years ago at Danville." However, William does not appear to be buried there, at least not in the Danville National Cemetery or perhaps it really was St. David, Illinois and not Danville, Illinois. Perhaps his body was returned to Fulton or Peoria County, though as yet, I can not find him here either. Her obituary further states that, "in 1876 Mrs. Bennett came to Fulton County and for 10 years made her home with her son, Nicholas Bennett, near Bryant. About 18 years ago (c. 1886) she came to Canton and from that time lived with Mr. and Mrs. Jones.
From this information, I am guessing that about 1876, William Bennett as admitted to the Soldiers Home in Danville, if there was one there then, and Ann went to live with Nicholas in Fulton County at that time. Carol Dorward found the Pension Application that Ann filed after William's death. She apparently made the Application in Fulton County, Illinois on August 20, 1877. She lists Bryant, Illinois as her residence;
William Bennett
Widow: Ann Bennett
Service: H 86 Ill Inf
Invalid Pension: Application No. #123426 on March 15, 1867
Widow Pension: Application No. #232964 (Certificate No. 401432) on August 28, 1877

From this we now know that Private William Bennett most likely died c. July or August of 1877. Now we need to figure out where his earthly remains were laid to rest.

On October 24, 2012, I received the following email from Carol Dorward;
I received a letter from the Danville Public Library yesterday. The letter begins by stating "The National Home for Volunteer Disabled Soldiers in Danville opened in 1898 and the first internment in the National Cemetery was in January 1899 so William Bennett is probably not buried there."

The letter included some information from Pape Mortuary in Danville....
Date of birth: 1/1/1824
Place of birth: IL ? age 50
No information for father, mother, spouse, or wedding date.
Date of death: 3/16/1874
Cemetery: Danville, IL?

Included was a newspaper notification of his death.

Danville-Weekly News, Friday, March 27, 1874.
Died....
March 16, William Bennett, aged 50 years.

The letter writer also indicated that "we didn't find any obituary and were not able to determine where he is buried."

Carol D."

On December 16, 1877, Martha Bennett was united in marriage to John F. Jones in Fulton County, Illinois. From the 1880 census, we know that Nicholas Bennett was married in the early 1870's. The only marriage in the state of Illinois which comes close to fitting is the marriage in McLean County between Nicholas Bennett and Mary Agnes Cary, which took place on January 20, 1873 in McLean County. She is most likely the Mary C., wife of Nicholas in the 1880 census.
In the 1880 census, Nicholas Bennett is found in Buckheart Township in Fulton County, Illinois. He is still working as a Coal Miner;
Nicholas Bennett, born c. 1848 in Wales, relationship to head: Self; spouse's name: Mary C. Bennett; father's birthplace: Wales; mother's birthplace: Wales; martial status: Married; age 32 years; occupation: Coal Miner
Mary C. Bennett, born c. 1855; spouse
Nicholas Bennett, born c. 1873 in Illinois.
Frank Bennett, born c. 1876 in Illinois.
Edward Bennett, born c. 1878 in Illinois.

In the 1880 census, Ann Bennett is found residing with her daughter and son-in-law, John F. Jones and Martha (Bennett) Jones in Putman Township in Fulton County, Illinois. Ann is listed as Widowed;
John F. Jones, born c. 1854 in Wales; relationship to head: Self; spouse's name: Martha Jones; father's birthplace: Wales; mother's birthplace: Wales; martial status: Married; age 26 years; occupation: Farm Laborer
Martha Jones, born c. 1853 in Wales, spouse
Lizzie Jones, born c. 1870 in Illinois, daughter
Annie Jones, born c. 1879 in Illinois, daughter
Willie Jones, born in 1880 in Illinois.
Ann Bennet, born c. 1822 in Wales, relationship to head: Mother-in-law; father's birthplace: Wales; mother's birthplace: Wales; martial status: Widowed; age 58 years; occupation: At Home

Ann's obituary states, "Mrs. Ann Bennett died at 8:25 o' clock Saturday morning (April __, 1904) at the home of her son-in-law, J. F. Jones, 425 South First Avenue. Death was due principally to old age. Mrs. Bennett had been in feeble health for a long time, and since November, 1903, had been confined to her bed."
Ann (Lewis) Bennett's earthly remains were laid to rest in the Greenwood Cemetery in Canton, Fulton County, Illinois. Do Private William Bennett's earthly remains lie next to hers in the Greenwood Cemetery or are they somewhere else in Peoria, Fulton or Vermillion County?

by Baxter B. Fite III, Carol Dorward, of Washington, Illinois, and Jane M. Becksted, a Great great granddaughter of William Bennett, through his daughter, Martha Lewis (Bennett) Jones. Jane's email address is [email protected] and Richard George, of _____________, England (llanfyllinman)

(Baxter would enjoy hearing from anyone, especially descendants of the Bennett family, who might be able to tell us more about Private Bennett and his family.)