PIONEERS Thomas Bennett 1815-1881 & Ann Lacey 1819-1907

1. PIONEERS
Thomas Bennett 1815-1881 &
Ann Lacey 1819-1907
Thomas Bennett
Birth 17 March 1815 Hanley Castle, Worcestershire, England
Death 28 August 1881 Mound Valley, Bannock, Idaho, United States or Perry (Thatcher
MARRIED: 25 Dec 1839, Bromsgrove, Worcester, England
Ann Lacey
Birth 7 March 1819, Hanley Castle, Worcestershire, England
Death 26 January 1907 Salt Lake City,Salt Lake,Utah United States
CHILDREN BORN IN England
William Barnabe Bennett 1840-1906 – Born: Staffordshire, England
Ephraim Bennett 1842-1896 – Born: Worcestershire, England
George Bennett 1845-1872 - Born: Worcestershire, England
Emma Bennett 1847-1923 - Born: Worcestershire, England
Hyrum Joseph Bennett 1850-1922 - Born: Worcestershire, England
Isaiah Lacey Bennett 1853-1929 - Born: Worcestershire, England
Enoch Lacey Bennett 1856-1934 - Born: Worcestershire, England
Thomas Bennett born: 17 March the 4th of 13 children of parents Richard Bennett and Mary Pritchett.
They lived in a two story house and the upstairs was reached by steps ascending up the outside of the
house.
Thomas and his brother spent many hours at work and play beneath the shade of a huge yew tree. How
typical it was that their home was called "Yew Tree Cottage." Though his parents were not wealthy,
their financial status was above the average. Their mother, Mary, was Irish and in every sense a lady. She
taught them the good things of life.

2. Thomas' father, Richard, apparently preceded his wife in by quite a number of years as his mother was
alone at the time Thomas went to work in the harvest field, where he met Ann Lacey, the girl he chose to
be his bride.
Ann Lacey was the daughter of Joseph Lacey and Nancy Ann Reeves. She was born 7 March 1819 at
Stoke Heath, Worcestershire, England. She was 6th of 11 children. Ann's grandfather was a wealthy Earl
and her grandmother a Welch Heiress. Although they possessed much wealth, Joseph Lacey inherited
very little of it. When Ann's older sister Sarah was nine years old, her grandparents, Lord and Lady
Lacey came to visit them, taking Sarah back to London. She was only allowed to visit her parents twice a
year. (At the age of eighteen she contracted consumption and died.) Her other sisters all married and
raised families and eventually came to Utah. Her brother William contracted tuberculosis when he was
eighteen years old and passed away.
Ann's family had many hardships and sorrows to bear. To assist the family as much as possible, Ann
went to work. She first found employment at an eating house, but disliked being in public; she went to
work on a dairy farm as a dairy maid. Sometime later she left and went to a different county. As it was
summer time she worked in the grain fields. This was where she met Thomas Bennett. She was twenty-one
and he twenty-five.
They were united in Holy Matrimony on the 25th of December 1839 at Broomsgrove, Worcestershire,
England. They then moved to his mother's house as she was living alone. Her children were all grown so
they lived upstairs in the cottage.
Ann mended lace and took in other sewing, and practiced nursing constantly to help out with expenses.
Thomas was a steady worker, a gardener by profession. Then leaving his mother's home, they went to
live where there were several work plants. It was here that Thomas and Ann first heard of Mormonism
and recognized it as the true way of life. Ann was baptized in August of 1842 and Thomas the following
September 1843. Both were baptized by William Barnicle. Their family increased by this time to six sons
and one daughter. Then came their great desire to join the Saints in Utah.
Thomas, the father, left his family and came to the United States to prepare the way whereby his wife and
children might follow him. He first traveled to Nebraska and worked for a farmer. He saved enough to
purchase a second-hand wagon, a set of harnesses and a team. He next acquired a quarter section of
ground which was mostly timber, cleared some of it, split up the logs and built a house and stable. He
then plowed up some of the land and planted wheat and corn. When he harvested he sold the produce,
withheld enough money to pay his debts and to live on, and saved the rest, repeating this over a period of
four or five years.
http://mormonmigration.lib.byu.edu/Search/showDetails/db:MM_MII/t:voyage/id:346/keywords:Thomas+Bennett+
Ship Name: “Tuscarora”
Departure 30 May 1857 from Liverpool
Arrival 3 Jul 1857 at Philadelphia
The ship Tuscarora, Captain Dunlevy, bound for
Philadelphia, cleared on the 29th, and sailed early on the
morning of the 30th of May, having 547 souls of the Saints on
board, of whom 298 were from the Scandinavian mission;
the remainder were from the British Mission.

3. “The Saints who sailed in that vessel only contemplated going to the States that season, there to labor and
procure means to enable them to cross the plains to Utah another year. After a pleasant voyage lasting
about five weeks the Tuscarora arrived in Philadelphia on the third of July. From that port most of the
emigrants continued the journey by rail to Burlington, Iowa, where they scattered in search of
employment.”
http://mormonmigration.lib.byu.edu/Search/showDetails/db:MM_MII/t:passenger/id:5333/keywords:Thomas+Bennett
PASSENGER
Bennett, Thomas
Thomas BENNETT travelled from Liverpool to Philadelphia 30 May 1857 - 3 Jul 1857
Last Name BENNETT First Name Thomas
Age 45 = 1812, Origin England, Occupation Labourer
In the meantime, his eldest son, William, employed at a plant in England, became ill and at the beginning
of the fourth year, 1860, he joined his father in America.
http://mormonmigration.lib.byu.edu/Search/showDetails/db:MM_MII/t:voyage/id:434/keywords:WILLIAM+Bennett
Liverpool to New York 11 May 1860 - 16 Jun 1860
Ship Name William Tapscott
Departure 11 May 1860 from Liverpool
Arrival 16 Jun 1860 at New York
http://mormonmigration.lib.byu.edu/Search/showDetails/db:MM_MII/t:passenger/id:5336/keywords:WILLIAM+Bennett
PASSENGER
Bennett, William
Age 19, Origin England, Occupation Labourer
Together (Thomas & William) worked and when they sold the farm they cleared approximately $400.00.
Thomas deposited $300.00 in the immigration fund to bring the rest of the family to America.
Then in 1861 the rest of the family began their trek to Salt Lake City, Utah
http://mormonmigration.lib.byu.edu/Search/showDetails/db:MM_MII/t:voyage/id:350/keywords:Ann+Bennett
Liverpool to New York 23 Apr 1861 - 21 May 1861
Ship Name “Underwriter”
Departure 23 Apr 1861 from Liverpool
Arrival 21 May 1861 at New York
PASSANGERS
Bennett, Ann
Last Name BENNETT First Name Ann
Age 42 = 1819, Origin England Occupation Wife
These passengers related:
Bennett, Ephraim (Age: 19)
Bennett, George (Age: 16)
Bennett, Edmund (Age: 13)
Bennett, Hyrum (Age: 11)
Bennett, Isaiah (Age: 7)
Bennett, Enoch (Age: 4)

4. What a happy reunion in the spring of 1861, when the family was again reunited! After five years of
loneliness and sacrifice, how wonderful America must have looked to them. How impressed they were
with the great metropolis of New York City. So much so that at first Ann thought she would like to
remain in New York where it would be easy to obtain employment. But the father, desiring to attain the
happiness and joy that comes from mingling with the Saints, encouraged his family to continue on to
Utah, which they did.
They traveled first to Florence, Nebraska on the train and from there continued their journey by ox team
in a company of six wagons with Captain Milo Andrus in charge. (Though not listed on the roster of the
1961 Milo Andrus Company they are listed on the roster of the 1961 “Unknown Company”)
They learned the hardships of bumpy trails, of fording rivers and other difficulties that were the lot of
our early pioneers. They also knew the joys of the evening, after a dreary day of travel--the setting sun--
food cooked in large kettles over a campfire--then later the singing of hymns with others--and finally,
humble kneeling in family prayer, thanking their Heavenly Father for guiding them to a land of freedom,
choice above all other lands.
http://history.lds.org/overlandtravels/companyDetail?lang=eng&companyId=53
1861 Milo Andrus Company
620 individuals and 38 wagons were in the company when it began its journey from the outfitting post at
Florence, Nebraska (now Omaha).
Departure 7 July 1861
Arrival 12 September 1861
Number In Company 108 Captain Milo Andrus
http://history.lds.org/overlandtravels/companyDetail?lang=eng&companyId=359
1861 member of Pioneer Wagon Company - Company Unknown (1861)
Thomas Bennett
Birth Date 17 March 1815
Death Date 28 August 1881
Gender male
Ann Lacey Bennett
Birth Date 7 March 1819
Death Date 26 February 1905
Gender female
Name Age Birth Date Death Date
Bennett, William Barnabe 20 13 December 1840 9 March 1906
Bennett, Ephraim 18 29 November 1842 28 September 1896
Bennett, George 16 28 April 1845 26 October 1872
Bennett, Emma 14 28 May 1847 18 January 1923
Bennett, Hyrum Joseph 10 11 August 1850 8 January 1922
Bennett, Isaiah Lacey 7 23 September 1853 24 December 1929
Bennett, Enoch Lacy 4 21 November 1856 28 May 1934

5. Arriving in Salt Lake Valley, they stayed with Ann's sister, Eliza Bird and husband, in West Jordan, for
a short time. They soon rented a farm ten miles south of Salt Lake City and lived there for four or five
years. Two little girls were born to them while living here--Anna Maria and Sarah. From here they
moved to Pleasant Grove where they resided for two years. While here little Sarah passed away.
Their next move was to Draper, Utah, where they purchased a farm. They lived very happily and while
here Ann studied midwifery, instructed by Dr. Ellis Shipp. Sometime later in 1873 they moved to Idaho,
to what is known as Gentile Valley. Here the family lived on a small ranch.
Thomas, possessing a strong testimony of the Gospel and diligent in his Church obligations, was soon
found worthy to become the first Presiding Elder in that section, which included Cache Valley on the
south and as far north as there were Mormon settlers. They lived here for many years and the people
learned to love and respect the Bennett family. Thomas' personality was one of gentleness and kindness.
He was a medium-sized man, light hair and blue eyes. He always wore a beard and became bald-headed
in later years.
Ann dressed very plain and disliked anything frilly or impractical. Descending from royalty, as she did,
she respected refinement and urged all her children and grandchildren to be perfect ladies and
gentlemen. She had a strong testimony of the gospel and spent many hours reading the scriptures and
conversing with others about gospel principles. She was prompt in paying her tithing, despite the fact she
only received a meager income. Her role as midwife was outstanding.

6. She helped bring many of her grandchildren into the world as well as many other babies throughout the
valley. Her calls of mercy took place any hour of the day or night and in all kinds of weather, and by all
means of travel. In the winter time she would stay in a home for weeks waiting for a new arrival. She
charged very little for her labors. It would be impossible to estimate the good she accomplished in her
unselfish service.
As in all families, came days of sorrow and grief. The 28th of August 1881, was such a day for the Bennett
family. One Sunday morning Thomas left the house early in search of a cow and calf. Late in the
afternoon the horse returned without him. Ephraim and Matilda, returning home from a meeting, called
in to see them and found Ann very upset over the failure of her husband's return. They found him about
a mile from home with a broken neck. It is supposed that his horse stumbled and fell, Thomas dying
instantly.
So ended the career of a man who had been a real pioneer and a true Latter-Day Saint, who had
sacrificed much and endured many hardships that his posterity might live in Zion and have the privileges
of raising their families according to the principles of the Gospel.
For a period of time after her husband’s death, Ann remained on their farm and raised sheep and cattle,
hiring whoever she could to help her. With the help of her son Ephraim and the Church, she sent her
oldest son William on a mission to England. After his mission he remained in England for a short time
gathering family genealogy.
With the aid of her sons she was provided with a small one room house located in Mound Valley. She
lived here for some time and continued her practice of midwifery. It filled many lonely hours and meant
a great deal to her to be in the service of others.
Ann often visited her sons and daughters. At this particular time she was with Ephraim and Matilda, but
decided to visit her daughter Annie Fowler. Ephraim was to take her there in a sleigh. However, Ann had
to go home first to get some articles she needed. When she arrived at her little one roomed house, she was
indeed overwhelmed with surprise to hear the happy voices of her family greeting her with "Surprise,
Surprise!" The little room was filled and overflowing with laughter and cheery voices of brothers and
sister. These occasions were indeed the things that made life worth living for Ann Bennett.
Ann was known for her courage; at one time when she was our riding, the horses became frightened and
ran. She was thrown to the ground with terrific force. Her scalp was torn loose from around her forehead
and with her own hands she pulled it back into place. It healed over but she carried a scar on her
forehead the rest of her days as a result of the .
Another time she was out on the front porch of her little home and fell and broke her hip. She lay there
until a passerby stopped and gave her aid. For the rest of her life she carried a cane and had to wear a
special built-up shoe, as one leg was longer than the other. After her she became well enough to be
moved, so she went to live with her son Ephraim and wife Matilda where she remained for some time.
The rest of her life was spent living with her sons and daughter, going from one to the other.
As Ann's personality was one of independence and being strong in her convictions of what was right and
wrong, It was at times hard for her to become adjusted to situations around her. She finally went to Salt
Lake County to be with her eldest son William. It was here she passed away 26 February 1905 at the age
of 86. Her life was one of service and sacrifice for her family, her community and Church.
Our grandparents have gone to prepare a place for us; let us be thankful for the wonderful heritage they
have left us.

7. Find A Grave: Thomas Bennett 1815-1881
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=18646203
Find A Grave:
Ann Lucy Lacey Bennett (1919-1907)
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/
fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=132754
Your tombstone stands neglected and alone.
The name and date are chiseled out on polished, marbled stone.
It reaches out to all who care. It is too late to mourn.
You did not know that I exist. You died and I was born.
Yet each of us are cells of you in flesh, in blood, in bone.
Our heart contracts and beats a pulse entirely not our own.
Dear Ancestor, the place you filled so many years ago.
Spreads out among the ones you left who would have loved you so.
I wonder as you lived and loved, I wonder if you knew
That someday I would find this spot and come to visit you.
===================================================================
Prepared by J.E. Anderson for Aunt: Rayola Smith 1816-2006
Great Grand Daughter of:
Thomas Bennett 1815-1881 & Ann Lucy Bennett (1919-1907)
AND
Grand Daughter of:
Ephraim Bennett 1842-1896
SOURCES FROM Family Tree > Memories
Thomas Bennett, 1815-1881, and Ann Lacey, 1819-1907 Contributed By angelahughes
THE HISTORY OF THOMAS BENNETT AND ANN LACEY (LACY) BENNETT
by Rayola S. Barnes--a Great-Granddaughter
Underwriter Ship Contributed By BrendaShipley1