Daniel Bennett (1760 - 1826)
Both portraits are in the care of Faringdon Town Council and can be seen in the Jubilee room at the Pump House
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William Bennett ( 1790 - 1844)
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Daniel Bennett lived in Faringdon House. He owned and ran a very successful shipping company. He died in 1826 leaving a very substantial fortune including Faringdon House and the title of Lord of the Manor to his son William. In 1836 William was appointed Lord High Sherrif of Berkshire. He lived at Faringdon House until he died in 1844 of a protracted illness. William's 1st son Daniel (1823-1887) inherited Faringdon House and lived there with his wife Mary Elizabeth (née Corbett) and only daughter, Marianna Katherine Bennett (who died unmarried) The Bennett family owned and lived in the house until 1919. Memorial plaques for Daniel Bennett and his two wives, William’s wife Marianna and two of their children are in the High Wycombe Parish Church, Berkshire, where William was also laid to rest. Memorials to other Bennett family members are in All Saints Church, Faringdon |
Throughout the 18th and early 19th century, London was the leading port in Britain for Southern Whaling, and Bennett & Co. were one of its principal operators.
Of the 300 owners in the British southern whaling and sealing trades during this period, Bennett & Co. were one of the few that lasted more than twenty years and they were the largest. The trade was based at Wapping, Limehouse and Rotherhithe, on both sides of the River Thames, many ship-owners regarding the risky South Seas trade as one part of their overall business activities.
Daniel Bennett’s operating fleet in 1796 numbered fifteen vessels, with an aggregate tonnage of 1354 tons, making him the ‘leading owner’ in the South Seas trade.
In about 1802, he purchased the Oil Wharf by the King’s Mill, Rotherhithe, at the entrance to the Grand Surrey Canal, and for more than 40 years had warehouses, cooperage sheds, a house, cottage and gardens nearby.
He accumulated wealth through his whaling and other ship-owing activities in London, management of hereditary properties in Wiltshire, and new investments in Berkshire, West Cowes (Isle of Wight) and New Windsor.
Daniel moved to Faringdon House in 1818 to become a ‘country gentleman’
During William’s(1790-1844) partnership with his father they owned at least 50 ships.
In 1838, William was presented with a gold vase and cover decorated with the Bennett arms and crest, mask heads of cattle and other relief ornamentation in recognition of his contribution to the success of the Faringdon Monthly Cattle Market. At the presentation, the Chairman described him as: ‘A gentleman whose modest, unassuming deportment commanded the respect of all, while his feelings were ever alive to assist the poor, needy and afflicted…’
In 1836 William was made High Sherriff of Berkshire
He was listed in the 1861 census as a ‘magistrate and landed proprietor’.
Faringdon House remained in the family until 1919 when Marianna died unmarried.
Of the 300 owners in the British southern whaling and sealing trades during this period, Bennett & Co. were one of the few that lasted more than twenty years and they were the largest. The trade was based at Wapping, Limehouse and Rotherhithe, on both sides of the River Thames, many ship-owners regarding the risky South Seas trade as one part of their overall business activities.
Daniel Bennett’s operating fleet in 1796 numbered fifteen vessels, with an aggregate tonnage of 1354 tons, making him the ‘leading owner’ in the South Seas trade.
In about 1802, he purchased the Oil Wharf by the King’s Mill, Rotherhithe, at the entrance to the Grand Surrey Canal, and for more than 40 years had warehouses, cooperage sheds, a house, cottage and gardens nearby.
He accumulated wealth through his whaling and other ship-owing activities in London, management of hereditary properties in Wiltshire, and new investments in Berkshire, West Cowes (Isle of Wight) and New Windsor.
Daniel moved to Faringdon House in 1818 to become a ‘country gentleman’
During William’s(1790-1844) partnership with his father they owned at least 50 ships.
In 1838, William was presented with a gold vase and cover decorated with the Bennett arms and crest, mask heads of cattle and other relief ornamentation in recognition of his contribution to the success of the Faringdon Monthly Cattle Market. At the presentation, the Chairman described him as: ‘A gentleman whose modest, unassuming deportment commanded the respect of all, while his feelings were ever alive to assist the poor, needy and afflicted…’
In 1836 William was made High Sherriff of Berkshire
He was listed in the 1861 census as a ‘magistrate and landed proprietor’.
Faringdon House remained in the family until 1919 when Marianna died unmarried.
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