Hide
hide
Hide

Transcript

of

James Hatchard Bennett, M.A. [Obituary]

Trans. Devon Assoc., 1891, Vol XXIII, p.102.

by

Rev. W. Harpley

Prepared by Michael Steer

The obituary was read at the Association’s July 1891 Tiverton meeting. Mr Howard Barkell, in an article appearing in the Bridestowe and Sourton Extra, January 2019, (Issue 200) provides much additional information about Rev Bennett to that appearing in his obituary. He had been Headmaster of Solihull Grammar School for 20 years before he made a career change and became Rector of Lydford. Under the Patronage of the Prince of Wales he was inducted to the Living on 18th June 1879. He was at that time a widower, and came to Lydford with a son and five daughters, a Swiss governess and three servants. He arrived at a time when the Victorian interest in restoring churches was at its height. He found the church in a dilapidated condition due to years of neglect. The roof, leaked badly and the south wall of the chancel was in danger of collapse. He also made the church more symmetrical by adding a north aisle. Rev Bennett paid for the repair of the chancel himself. The south wall was rebuilt and the ceiling replaced. The walls were re-pointed. A doorway was placed in the north wall to await the new vestry. An original small lancet window beside it was left untouched, but the east window was replaced and fitted with stained glass representing the Parable of the Sower. The floor was replaced with slate slabs and memorial stones taken from the nave aisles. Significant equal donations towards the cost of the work were given by the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Bedford, Daniel Radford and Sabine Baring Gould. A vestry was added at the same time. Two new solid fuel heaters were installed. The church, St Petroc’s, was re-opened by the Bishop of Exeter on 24th September 1890. His Grace paid tribute to the work previously undertaken by William Chafy and latterly by Rev Mr Bennett. The Rector was unable to be present due to ill health.  Six weeks later many of those attending were again assembled for the Rector’s funeral. That service was taken by his brother-in-law Henry Casey who had been acting as Priest in Charge of Lydford during the Rector’s illness. Mr Bennett was 62 at the time of his death and was buried in St. Petroc’s churchyard. The article, from a copy of a rare and much sought-after journal can be downloaded from the Internet Archive. Google has sponsored the digitisation of books from several libraries. These books, on which copyright has expired, are available for free educational and research use, both as individual books and as full collections to aid researchers.

 

James Hatchard Bennett, M.A., was born on the 20th March, 1828. He was educated at King's School, Bruton; entered Exeter College, Oxford, in 1846, where he graduated in the second class Lit. Hum. three years later. For five years he was second master of St Alban*s Grammar School, during which time, in 1856, he was admitted into Holy Orders. In 1860 he was appointed head-master of Sollihull Grammar School, Warwickshire, where he remained for nineteen years. He was presented to the rectory of Lydford in 1879, and remained there until his death on 10th October, 1890.

Mr. Bennett's connection with the Association was but brief. He became a member in the previous year, when the Annual Meeting was held at Tavistock.