Scard Early Maternal Families
John Benness
[<1720-1770]
Maltster of Eling, Hampshire
Daughter - Susannah Benness married Thomas Scard
at All Saints Southampton 10th Feb. 1763
Compiled and Written by J.S.Adams, combining the Original & Independent Researches of both JSAdams & LMealey
John Benness a maltster at Eling, Hants, is estimated born before 1720,. The Hampshire Archives and Local Studies Online Catalogue
has some early entries for the Benness Family under several variations of the name, which may point to an ancestral family. The Latter
Day Saints online Genealogical Index has several early entries in the parish of East Willow consistent with an Early Will in the Hants
Archives. From the latter source the Will and Inventory of William Bennis, Yeoman of Eling, Hampshire dated 1671 is another example
which descendants may wish to pursue.
John Benness married Elizabeth [nee unknown] implied to have had one son and three daughters. Elizabeth's Will also implies that she
was the natural mother of these children. John Benness died testate . buried at Eling 4th April 1770. His widow Elizabeth survived him by
a further 17 months and also died testate , buried at Eling 18th September 1771.
Issue
(by inference)
Son: John Benness
Reference to his existence is found in his marriage to Elizabeth Durley and also his Will in 1764 which mentions the children of
his sisters by name consistent with the Will of both his parents.
John Benness (the younger) is estimated born before 1740. John Benness 'noted junr' married Elizabeth Durling "of Ringwood"
at Eling 20th May 1761. Young John died Testate four years after his marriage without surviving issue, buried 11th June 1764
at Eling [HBI] predeceasing his father by six years.
Submitted by Lyn Mealey: The Will of John Benness (the Younger) - written 1764 mentions nephews John Abbott and John Scard
and nieces Ann Kent and Elizabeth Abbott. His executors were his father John Benness and his wife Elizabeth Benness. Witnesses
were Wm Durling (father or brother of his widow Elizabeth), Thos Dawkins (both signed) and Elizabeth Benness (assumed mother
or spouse made her mark/"EB").
Daughter: Susannah Benness estimated born 1743 married Thomas Scard of Eling 10th Feb. 1763 at All Saints Southampton and had issue
legatees in several Wills.
Susanna was buried at Eling 9th November 1815 at the recorded age of 72yrs.
[Further information access the Biography of her Spouse: Thomas Scard].
Daughter: Ann Benness married Stephen Newland at Eling 17th December 1758, the son of Arthur Newland of Eling. They had two children
William and Jenny legatees in several Wills. Ann appears to have predeceased her father.
Daughter: Sarah Benness married John Kent at Eling 22nd January 1758. The Kent Family were resident at Eling for some time.
Two children: Sarah Kent and Ann Kent.
Daughter: Mary Benness married John Abbott at Eling 29th December 1755. Two children: John Abbott and Elizabeth Abbott.
SYNOPSIS FOR BENNESS WILLS
By LMealey
The Will of John Benness of Eling (proved 1770), maltster, indicated that his wife was Elizabeth. His daughters were
Ann Newlands (deceased, wife of Stephen Newlands), Sarah Kent (wife of John Kent) and Susannah Scard
(wife of Thomas Scard). He also mentions grandson William Newlands, John Abbott and Elizabeth Abbott
(parents both dead). Executrix, daughter - Susannah Scard. See Full Transcription Below.
Submitted by LMealey.
The Will of Elizabeth Benness of Eling (written 1771), widow of John Benness gives more information regarding
children and grandchildren. Grandchildren mentioned are Jenny Newland, Elizabeth Abbott, Sarah Kent, John Abbott
and Benness Scard. Her executors were James Warwick (Eling) and Andrew Worsem (Totton). Witnesses were
Peter Smith, James Worsem and John Collis (all signed). Elizabeth made her mark. (Dec 2007).
Submitted by LMealey.
The Will of John Benness (the Younger) (written 1764) mentions nephews John Abbott and John Scard and nieces
Ann Kent and Elizabeth Abbott. His executors were his father John Benness and his wife Elizabeth Benness.
Witnesses were Wm Durling (father or brother of his spouse Elizabeth), Thos Dawkins (both signed) and (assumed mother
or spouse made her mark/"EB").
Submitted by LMealey.
WILL of John Benness
Transcribed by Judith-Ann S Adams (site author)
and also Transcribed in full separately by LMealey
In the name of God Amen I John Benness of Totton in the Parish of Eling in the County of Southampton Maltster being of perfect mind and understanding
praised our God do make and publish this my present Last Will and Testament in manner following, that is to say first and principally I command my soul
unto Almighty God hoping for Salvation through my blessed Saviour Jesus Christ and my body I commit to the earth to be properly buried at the discretion
of my executrix hereinafter named and as to such worldly Estate as it forth provided God to bestow upon me I dispose thereof as follows In the first place I
will and devise that all my just debts and funeral expenses be paid and discharged Also I give devise and bequeath unto my beloved wife Elizabeth Benness
and to her assigns all my Estates as well Freehold and Leasehold and Copyhold whatsoever and whosoever which and shall be possessed of to be lived and
enjoyed by her or them during her natural life [???] my widow and shall keep the same in [???] and from and after her decease or marriage. I give and
devise my Freehold Estate called [Honness’s] with the [?] land thereto belonging situated at Totton aforesaid unto my beloved daughter Susannah Scard
and her heirs for ever subject [???] to this condition that she and they shall permit and suffer my beloved daughter Sarah Kent to hold and enjoy the house
wherein she lives being part of the Estate called [Hommes’s?] without payment of any sort for the same during her natural life [?] with this proviso that she
shall not [??] under this my Will and disturb my said daughter Susanna or her heirs in their enjoyment of the said Estate called [Hommess’s] but in case
she shall attempt so to do then my Will is that the said Susannah Scard and her heirs shall have and be entitled to the full Rent of the said house wherein
my said daughter Sarah now lives from the time such attempt shall be so made and from and after the decease or marriage of my said wife which shall first
happen. I give and devise unto my said daughter Susannah Scard and her heirs for ever all that my freehold Estate which I purchased of Robert [or Richard]
Oviatt situated in the Parish of Eling aforesaid subject [?] to the payment of four hundred pounds [??] in equal shares and proportions vis. Two hundred
pounds [?] to my two grandchildren John Abbott and Elizabeth Abbott in full satisfaction and discharge of the two survival Legacies given to them by their
late uncle deceased and I do hereby expressly charge the same upon the sold last mentioned estate and from and after the death or marriage of my said wife
which shall first happen. I give and devise unto my said daughter Sarah Kent and her heirs for ever my Freehold Meadow or piece of Land situated at
[Calmore] in the said Parish of Eling which I sometime since purchased of Peter Serle Esq. and from and after my said wife’s decease or marriage as
aforesaid I give and bequeath unto my daughter Sarah Kent and to her Executors administrators and assigns my Leasehold Estate situated at Totton
Lopperwood within the said parish of Eling known by the name of [?] to hold to her and them for and during all the then Residue and remainder of my
Term and Interest therein. Also I give and bequeath unto my said daughter Sarah Kent the sum of two hundred pounds to be paid by my Executrix hereinafter
named in twelve months next after my decease. Also I give and bequeath unto my grandson William Newland, son of Stephen Newland the full sum of one
hundred pounds for the purpose of investing his ? in a Trade of the [?] at Millbrook now in the occupation of his grandfather Arthur Stowlands as soon as the
same can be offered but in case the aforesaid purpose cannot be accomplished then I Will and direct that the said sum of one hundred pounds shall be applied
and laid out by my Executrix in such manner as shall be thought most [?] to his advantage. Also I give and bequeath to my said wife Elizabeth Benness the
sum of one hundred pounds at her own disposal and the [?] and enjoyment of all my household goods plate [?] and furniture during her widowhood. And all
the rest and residue of my personal Estate Goods, Chattels moneys and Annuities for money Stock in Trade Debts and Effects whatsoever and wheresoever I
give and bequeath to my said daughter Susannah Scard and unto her Executors Administrators and assigns. And I do hereby name and appoint my said daughter
Susannah Scard to be sole Executrix of this my Last Will and Testament and I do hereby revoke all former Wills by me at any time before made. In Witness
whereof I have to this my Will contained in three pages of one sheet of paper to the two first thereof inscribed my name and this third of my hand and seal the
sixteenth day of December in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty nine – John Benness – [signed]. Signed sealed published and
declared by the Testator as his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in his presence at his request have inscribed our names as witnesses thereto
W. Daman, John Marsh, Thomas Warner.
PROVED: This Will was proved at London on the twenty seventh day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy before the Right
Worshipful George Day Doctor of Laws [??] or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully [?] by the oath of Susannah Scard wife
of Thomas Scard the daughter of the Deceased and sole Executrix named in the said Will to whom administration was granted of all said singular
the goods Chattels and Credits of the said deceased having been first sworn by Commission duly to administer. |
