Cumberland County, Maine - Captain John Bennett ********************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: C. Wendland SilverDrusilla@aol.com Copyright © 2005 by C. Wendland Caitlin's Gold Award Project, Girl Scouts USA, Rio Grande Girl Scout Council, El Paso, Texas ********************************************************************** Biography Captain John Bennett Biographical Review Cumberland County, Maine Boston Biographical Review Publishing Company 1896 Page 562-565 Captain John Bennett, master of the steamer "Cottage City" of the Maine Steamship Company's line, is one of the oldest captains in the employ of that corporation, having been with them about twenty-two years. He was born at Vinal Haven, Me., September 4, 1832, son of William R. and Betsey (Brown) Bennett, the former a native of Topsham, Me., the latter of Vinal Haven. Captain Bennett is of Scottish descent on the paternal side. His grandfather, whose name he bears, John Bennett, first, a native of Aberdeen, Scotland, came to this country when a boy, and took to the sea for a livelihood, becoming a sailing master and famous navigator, and voyaging from Bath, Me., to all parts of the world. He served in the War of 1812, and was on the "Enterprise" when she fought the "Boxer" off Seguin, Me. In this engagement he received a serious wound, which compelled him to retire from the active life of a mariner. He passed his remaining years at Bath. His wife was Sarah Doughty, of Topsham. William R. Bennett was born in 1810, and lived in Topsham until twenty years of age, when he removed to Vinal Haven. He went to sea when a young man on long voyages, working his way up until he became master, and during the last few years of his seafaring life was engaged in the coasting trade. In 1865, when he was fifty-five years of age, he settled on a small and pleasant farm at Vinal Haven, where he spent the remainder of his days. He died November 7, 1888. His wife, who was a daughter of Reuben Brown, of Vinal Haven, was called to rest in 1890, at the age of seventy-eight. Four children were born to them, namely: John, the subject of this sketch; Rozella, formerly Mrs. Daniel Holbrook, now wife of Captain Clark, of Vinal Haven; Louisa, wife of Durray Raymond, of the same place; and Annie, wife of Levy Anthony. John Bennett, son of William R. Bennett, received his education in the common schools of Vinal Haven, also attending two schools of navigation. At the age of thirteen he began his seafaring life with his father, commencing before the mast and working his way up. At seventeen he was mate of a sailing-vessel; and at the age of nineteen he was master, the first vessel of which he had charge being the "Enterprise. " Of this vessel he was master for several years, his next being the brig "Harmony," trading in the West Indies and other parts of the world, and hailing from St. George, Me. Captain Bennett was master of. the "Harmony" twelve years. In 1864 he was put in command of the "Chesapeake" of the Maine Steamship Company, of which he was master three years; and he next sailed on the New England and Nova Scotia Steamship line, owned by the same parties, as mate and pilot of the "Carlotta" and the "Chase." He was finally put in command of the "Chase," and was pilot of the steamer "Falmouth" in the summer. He remained in the employ of this company eight years, and then took command of the steamship "Cortes" of the Cromwell line, plying between St. John's, N. F., and New Orleans. Five years later, in 1880, he renewed his connection with the Maine Steamship Company, sailing as master of the "Franconia " between Portland and New York ; and he also took command at different times of other vessels belonging to the company. When the "Cottage City" was placed in commission, Captain Bennett was placed in charge of her, and has retained his position to the present day. He is well known to the travelling public, and his carefulness and courtesy have won for him universal confidence and esteem. His fraternal relations with other seafaring men are maintained as a member of the Pilots' Association, Harbor No. 12, of New York. February 19, 1853, he was married to Lucy A., daughter of Captain Thomas Brown, of Vinal Haven. Nine children have been born to them, of whom five are living, namely: Annie, wife of George Randall, of Portland; Elzina C., wife of Frank Sawyer, of the same place; Ida C. ; Lucy, - wife of Herbert Hutchins, of Kennebunk; and William B., now quartermaster of the "Cottage City." Captain Bennett's son, John R., died at the age of thirty-four, leaving three children- Wesley, Wallace, and Marion. His first two children, Roscoe and Tobias, died in childhood of diphtheria, aged respectively five and seven; and a daughter Bessie died at sea in 1863. She was then a child of three years, and was with her mother, who had accompanied the Captain on one of his trips. Captain Bennett is a prominent Mason, belonging to Evangelist Lodge, No. 600, A. F. & A. M., of New York City, and to Mount Zion Chapter, No. 231; and he belongs to Maine Lodge, No. 1, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Eastern Star Encampment, No. 2. His portrait appears on a neighboring page of this volume.