Scard Family 
Benness Scard
[1768-1837]
of Stratford Wiltshire formerly of Nursling/Eling, Hampshire
Died Testate.
Spouse: Elizabeth Hill [Heiress]
[c.1774-1848]
Compiled and Written by JAdams, combining the Original & Independent Researches of both JSAdams & LMealey.
1768: Benness Scard was the son of Thomas Scard [the elder] Saddler, Maltser and later Yeoman, and his wife Susannah
nee Benness, of Eling Hampshire. Benness had three known siblings; John Scard [1764-1838], Susannah Scard [1765-1831]
and Thomas Scard [1775-1816].
1770/1: Benness was aged six when his maternal grandfather John Benness, a wealthy Maltser died Testate, buried on the
4th April 1770 at Eling His mother Susannah Scard inherited a sizeable part of the Estate with her sisters. Benness
and his siblings also mentioned as subsequent beneficiaries when they came of age.
The following year his maternal grandmother also died and was buried beside her spouse on the 18th September 1771
at the same venue.
1790: In 1790 his then twenty-five year old sister Susannah Scard married John Blake at Nursling one mile of Eling.
1792: Marriage;
At the age of twenty-four Benness Scard married Elizabeth Hill on the 6th November 1792 at Nursling, Hampshire.
Elizabeth Hill was baptised at Nursling 22nd October 1767 [1] the daughter of George Hill yeoman and his wife Mary
and the granddaughter of George Hill 'yeoman' and his wife Elizabeth nee Reay.
The Hill Family was well Estated and had been resident at Nursling for many generations.
Elizabeth's grt. grandfather died testate in 20th June 1770 [1] leaving a considerable fortune, his main beneficiary was
his grandson George Hill, Elizabeth's father. 
The Will of George Hill [Snr.] of Nursling Hampshire [to be transcribed]
The Hill Family Estate was eventually bequeathed to Elizabeth, her sisters and their children in upon her father's
decease in 1821, her father having no surviving male heir.
Issue;
Child 1: 1794 Elizabeth Scard
- Elizabeth Scard buried 1st January 1794 [1] recorded 'infant' at Nursling
The Couple moved to Stratford, Wiltshire;
Child 2: 1795 Harriet Maria Scard
- Harriet Maria Scard died at the age of 21 yrs, unmarried and without issue
at Nursling she was buried at St. Boniface, Nursling at the venue of her parent's marriage.
Child 3: 1796 George Hill Scard assumed born Stratford Wiltshire.
Child 4: 1797 Eliza Scard born Stratford Wiltshire.
1795: During this time his youngest brother Thomas Scard, not yet of age, married Mary Yeats by Licence at Eling on
the 14th October 1795 recorded " with the permission of his father" [2] Thomas Scard [the elder].
1796: His eldest sibling JohnScard married MaryTrofoley 17th August 1796 at All Saints Southampton. [Groom est. aged 32yrs]
1798: Meanwhile back at Stratford, as the Neopolonic Wars loomed Britian's shores, a call for volunteers to protect the home
front was ordered. Benness and his brother John were assigned according to their Station and listed in the London Times
among many others appointed by Order of the King George III;
London Times [3] : 26th May 1798;
'Benness Scard to be Ensign with Stratford Under the Castle of Old Sarum Volunteers.' [Wiltshire] [now aged 30yrs].
'John Scard, Gent. To be Lieutenant with the Eling Volunteers.' [John now aged 34yrs]
His brother John was assigned as Lieutenant and later Captain of the Eling Battalion in 1798 and 1808 respectively.
Living in Wiltshire;
1802: Benness Scard was called as witness or victim to give evidence at the Wiltshire Quarter Sessions on the 27th April 1802.
He was noted as of 'Stratford Sub Castle' and ‘Overseer’ [4].
1812: Monday, October 5th, 1812 Benness was noted in the County of Wiltshire Game Duty List published in the Salisbury
Winchester Journal in a list of Persons who have obtained General Certificates at the rate of Three Guineas each for the
year 1812 - Entry: 'Benness Scard of Stratford under Castle' .
1812: The same year he appears in the same publication as a co-executor relating to an Estate;
' JOHN ROGERS begs leave to return his unfeigned thanks to the friends of his late Father, deceased, for the favours
they bestowed on him during the many years he carried on business, and respectfully to inform them and the public,
that he intends to continue the businesses of MALTSTER and BREWER, on the Premises of his late Father; and humbly
solicits their future favours and support, which he will strive to merit, by ready attention to their commands, and
supplying them with Goods of the first quality, on reasonable terms.
CASTLE-STREET, SARUM, Oct. 29. 1812.
ALL Persons to whom the Deceased stood indebted at the time of his death, are requested to send or deliver the particulars of their respective Demands to the said JOHN ROGERS, or BENNESS SCARD, of Stratford-under-the- Castle, Gentleman, his joint Executors; or to Mr. WARDEN, solicitor, Close, Sarum: And those persons who are indebted to the Estate of the said deceased, are desired to pay the amount of their respective debts to the said John Rogers forthwith. 1814 Benness Scard draws and publishes his Will naming his wife Elizabeth as his sole Beneficiary and Executrix. Although Benness had young children at this time, they were not mentioned in his Will. He appears to have arranged for his wife Elizabeth to distribute his Estate on his death with any surviving issue. Benness lived a further 23 years till his death in 1837 but his Will was never changed and stood as written in 1814. 1815: Benness' mother, Susannah died testate, buried at Eling 9th November 1815 [1] at the recorded age of 72yrs. John was aged forty-seven at the time of his mother's death. Benness and his family move back to Nursling; 1816: John's youngest brother Thomas died intestate, buried at Eling a year after their mother, on the 21st December 1816. Thomas left his widow Mary nee Yeats with seven young children. The Will of Benness' father implies 'a great misfortune' concerning money matters which may have occurred in relation the young Thomas' death. He was the only brother to die intestate. Whilst two of his son's were then attending Oxford University, great fears were implied regarding the young family's continued financial security. Benness is not well favoured in his father's Will and comments were made regarding his possible lack of support during this time, which it is implied 'was' given by brother John and sister Susannah. They were well favoured in the Will. However his father notes that Benness was already 'cared for' in his marriage and that he was very successful and enterprising. See the Biography of his father Thomas Scard [Snr.]
![Biography of Thomas Scard [Snr] [1737-1824] and his wife Susannah Benness of Eling Hampshire](A folder 33333.gif){kind=small}
Mary's brother, William Yeats Esquire showed grave concerns for Mary's security and the maintenance and education
of her children later outlined in his Will.
For the Story of his brother Thomas Scard [the younger] See Biography of Thomas Scard & Mary nee Yeats
1816 Benness' daughter Harriet Maria Scard was buried 10th July 1816 the recorded age 21 at St. Boniface, Nursling
noted 'of Stratford'.
Benness and his remaining family returned to Stratford;
1817: Benness Scard was called as witness or victim to give evidence at the Wiltshire Quarter Sessions on
the 14th January 1817. He was noted as from Stratford Sub Castle and his occupation recorded as ‘Yeoman’.
1817: Benness' son George Hill Scard now come of age [21yrs] moved Nursling where he recorded purchasing a lease with
his maternal grandfather George Hill.
1820: Son George had returned to Wiltshire noted of 'Downtown' was noted in a similar proceeding as witness or victim in
the Wiltshire Quarter Sessions on the 11th July 1820.
1821: His wife Elizabeth's, father died in 1821 naming his daughter, Elizabeth Scard Executrix and main beneficiary with
grandchildren; George Hill Scard, Maria Harriet Scard and Georgina Spencer
[all three grandchildren under the ages of 21yrs]
The Will of George Hill of Nursling Hampshire [ to be transcribed ].
1824: Benness' father Thomas Scard [the Elder] died testate, buried at Eling 29th January 1824 at the recorded age of 87years.
His eldest brother John was nominated as Executor.