Laura Bennett         

1862-1889                     

Laura and her sister Lucy were both born in Clare, Suffolk the daughters of John William and Maria Bennett (nee Wenham) who were married on the 19^th October 1847 in Brixton, Surrey. (John was recorded as a Solicitor and was from St Pancras Paddington)

Their father John William was a Solicitor. He was baptised on the 31^st December 1817 in Islington Middlesex, the son of John William (a Gentleman) and Elizabeth Esther Bennett.

Their mother Maria Sarah was born c1823 in Brompton, Middlesex, she was baptised in 1837 in New Brentford, Middlesex, the daughter of Francis Herbert and Maria Sarah Wenham (nee Watson) who were married in 1822 in Kensington Middlesex.

Laura and Lucy’s siblings were:

Fanny 1848 St Pancras

Maria 1849 St Pancras

John William c1851 St Pancras

Emily 1852 St Pancras

Henry 1853 Hendon

Charles Herbert 1855 Hendon

Marian 1857 Linton

Alice c1860 Risbridge

Ada Valentina c1861 Risbridge

In 1851 the family were living in St Pancras Middlesex. By 1861 they were living at Wentford House, Poslingford, Suffolk.

Their mother died in 1864 in Poslingford (age at death recorded as 37)

In 1871 John William (54) was recorded living in Wentford House, Poslingford with his children, Fanny (23), Maria (22), Emily (19), Harry (18),  Charles (16), Marian (14), Alice (11), Ada (10), Laura (9) and Lucy (7).

John William died in 1875 in Poslingford (aged at death recorded as 57)

The 1881 census records Laura (18) and Lucy (15) as Pupils at Branscombe House, Northdown Road, Margate Kent (ancestry have their surname recorded as Barnell).

Laura’s sister Lucy died aged 24 on the 2^nd July 1888, she was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 7^th July

Laura died aged 25 on the 23^rd July 1889, she was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery with her sister Lucy on the 29^th July.

Probate: BENNETT Laura     Personal Estate £1178 2s 1d       10^th December 1889     The Will of Laura Bennett  late of Salisbury-terrace Newbury in the County of Berks Spinster who died 23rdd July 1889 at Salisbury-terrace was proved at Oxford by Emily Bennett of Salisbury-terrace Spinster the  Sister the sole Executrix.

Mrs P   Page 68    Ch 9(E)

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