Here are a few facts about Mason BENNETT: In 1724 Mason Bennet is shown as a 13-year-old boy in the household of William Bennet in Overwharton Parish, Stafford County, Virginia. Wm. Bennet Jr., age 11, is also in the household. ["Tenders of Tobacco in Overwharton Parish," in The Register of Overwharton Parish, by George H. S. King (Fredericksburg, Va.: Author, 1961), p. 161] This is a list of persons allowed to grow tobacco under a crop-restriction law. It shows all males over age 10 in each household. This family lived in the region between Aquia Creek and Quantico Creek. [So, Mason BENNETT was born ca. 1711, William Jr. was born ca. 1713] Prince William Co., Va., Deed Book R, p. 324-327 (from abstract by Ruth and Sam Sparacio): Indenture 15 and 16 May 1771, between Edward BENNETT of Prince William Co., Dettingen Parish, to James GRINSTEAD of PWC/Det.Par., for 70 lbs current money of Va., ... all that tract purchased of Mason BENNETT by deeds 1 and 2 Feb. 1750, being part of a tract taken up by William BENNETT deceased, father of said Mason BENNETT, being on North side of Quantico Run, corner of a tract whereon William BENNETT brother to said Mason BENNETT lately did live ... Signed: Edward BENNETT. Witnesses: William CAR, Simon LUTTRELL, Thomas CHAPMAN, James MUSCHETT, John POWELL. Recorded 4 June 1771. Prince William Co, Va., Will Book G, p. 292-294 (from abstract of June Johnson): Will of William BENNETT of Pr. Wm.: Tract of land of 450 ac. where my father Mason BENNETT now lives on, to him, also furniture during his natural life, then to my mother Mary BENNETT during her natural life. Sister: Mary DEVIER, wife of Hugh DEVIER of Rockingham Co., Va., land, stock and furniture after decease of mother, paying unto my brother Francis CANNON 100 lbs., in failure of a male issue by Mary tract in fee simple. Land on Elkhorn on waters of Ky. to brothers John CANNON and Francis CANNON equally divided to hold in tenants in common, not in joint tenants. Brother Luke CANNON, land on waters of Ohio on Licking Creek. Executors: John CANNON and friend Evan WILLIAMS. Dated: March 3, 1779. Signed: Wm. BENNETT. Proven: Sept. 7, 1784. Witnesses: Richd. GRAHAM, Geo. GRAHAM, Jas. TRIPLETT, Alexander BRUCE. [Since she is given preference in the inheritance, it appears that Mary DEVIER is William's full sister. If so, she would be a child of Mason and Mary BENNETT.] The military record of this latter William BENNETT is included in Virginia Revolutionary Pension Applications, by John Frederick Dorman, v. 6 (1961), p. 50-51. Two men of that name are mixed in same file. William BENNETT went into naval service as a lieutenant in the ship called the Gen. Mercer which was built at the mouth of Quantico Creek. He was born and raised in the neighborhood of Dumfries. William never married. He left half brothers Luke CANNON, John CANNON and Francis CANNON. (Deposition of Elizabeth Adie, 1834) Susanna TANSILL knew William BENNETT, son of Mason and Mary BENNETT late of Prince William County near Dumfries. ... The first children of Mrs. BENNETT, formerly Mrs. CANNON, were Francis, John and Luke CANNON. (Will of William BENNETT included here too.) In 1779, Mason BENNETT owned 480 acres in Prince William County. He was 19 years in arrears of paying his quit rents. [Magazine of Va. Genealogy, v. 32, Aug. 1994, p. 193] Mason BENNETT is missing from the 1782 personal property tax list for Prince William County, but a Mrs. BENNETT, with 13 slaves, 2 horses, 13 cattle is shown [Burr Harrison's district, (near Dumfries) p. 6] Could this be the widow Mary BENNETT? If so, Mason perhaps died between 1779 and 1782. No probate for him is on file in Prince William County. Did this give you anything you didn't already have? Are you trying to prove anything in particular? Sincerely, Donald L. Wilson, Virginiana Librarian Ruth E. Lloyd Information Center for Genealogy and Local History (RELIC) Bull Run Regional Library, 8051 Ashton Avenue Manassas, VA 20109-2892 (703) 792-4540 www.pwcgov.org/library/services/relic -----Original Message----- From: Archidon2@aol.com [mailto:Archidon2@aol.com] Sent: Sunday, March 12, 2000 8:18 AM To: VAPWILLI-L@rootsweb.com Subject: [VAPWILLI-L] Mason Bennett Does anyone have any information of a Mason Bennett in the mid 1700's? His wife's name was Mary and one son was named William. He also transferred property that was originally granted to a John Bennett, so there may be a relationship there also. ==== VAPWILLI Mailing List ==== Visit the Prince William County, USGenWeb Home Page! http://www.rootsweb.com/~vapwilli/pw.htm Check out the Prince William Archives and add your records! http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/va/princewi.htm