ALLEGHANY COUNTY, VA - CEMETERIES – Bennett Cemetery ----¤¤¤---- Source: Library of Virginia Digital Collection LVA Titled Files: Survey Report, Bennett cemetery: 1937 Apr. 27 Research made by Robert Stover Cemetery Location: Richpatch, 12 miles west of Low Moor on Route #616, turn near G.M. Bennetts. Alleghany County OWNERS: 1832 Jacob Bennett and Mary, his wife, deeded to John Bennett for $1.00 along foot of Carpenter’s Mountain (called Little Mountain today) in Richpatch, 103 acres of land, being part of a 540 acre tract granted to John Humphries by patent May 21, 1794 and conveyed by his heirs to Henry Persinger, who, together with his wife, conveyed 360 acres to Jacob Bennett by deed August 28, 1830. Deed Book 2, page 305 1853 John Bennett and his wife, Nancy, deeded to Hannah Stull (widow) and children of James Stull, deceased, being under the control and management of Hannah Stull and at her death to be equally divided between them, two tracts of land adjacent to each other (1) 103 acres, the same Jacob Bennett conveyed to John Bennett in 1832; (2) 89 acres. Same Sampson Bennett and wife, Phebe conveyed to John Feb. 1845. Both tracts sold for $1200.00, $700.00 in down payment by Lee Persinger, Trustee of James Stull, deceased. Deed Book 5, page 325 The grave yard is on tract No. 1 of 103 acres. 1885 The Meade Stull Farm 112 acres conveyed to C.M. by R.L. Parrish. Circuit Court decree Deed Book 9, page 235 1911 sold to John W. Stull by Sallie E. Persinger, husband and Stull heirs. Deed Book 48, page 132 1915 John W. Stull deeded same to Charles Stull Deed Book 48, page 163 Charles Stull is the present owner (1937) of the tract of land whereupon the cemetery is located. DESCRIPTION: This is a family graveyard, but no one has been buried here for six years. There are about 55 graves visible. The cemetery is practically full of graves. It is grown up in brush. There is a wire fence with good posts. The cemetery is situated on top of a high knoll with a long slope on the south, which leads up to the graveyard, at the foot of Little Mountain. It is some 500 yards west of the house of L.M. Bennett. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The Bennetts were among the early settlers in the Richpatch. They were of Scotch Irish descent. It is thought that there were three Bennett brothers who immigrated to this country from England; one settled in the North; the other in the South (probably in Va.), another in the West. The present children of J.L. Bennett are thought to be descendants from the one in the South. Will Book 3, page 230. The first Bennett that we have any record of in the Richpatch is Jacob Bennett. At the time of his will, made in April, 1842, he had four sons living; William, John, Henry and Sampson; and four daughters: Mrs. Peggie Stull, Mrs. Elizabeth L. Wright, Mrs. Jesse King and Mrs. Nancy King. It is unknown, so far, where Jacob and his wife are buried, but in all probability they are buried in the Richpatch and in the Bennett graveyard. An old log house, two story with six rooms stood at the foot of the ridge, some 500 yards from the graveyard. It was built by a man, named King (probably the husband of one of Jacob Bennett’s daughters). Mrs. Hannah Stull, widow of James Stull, deceased, and children lived in this house when she purchased the land on which lies the graveyard, in 1853. This house was destroyed by fire in 1935. The Covington-Fincastle Turnpike ran one-fourth mile to the east of the graveyard. About two-thirds mile southeast was the intersection of the Covington and Fincastle-Sweet Springs Turnpike, where stood the Stephen Hook Tavern. There are few tombstones, mostly stone grave markers, with no inscriptions. There are two crude hand-hewed tombstones with inscription: In memory of Rebecca Persinger who died Mar. 31, 1855 aged 50 years Katherine Bennett Departed this life A. 1853 Those with modern tombstones: Susan M. wife of J.L. Bennett Born 1837 – Died Apr. 27, 1905 A member of the Methodist Church Julia A. wife of Jessie Fridley Died March 4, 1897 aged 73 years A member of the Methodist Church James A. Hamlett Born Aug. 24, 1845 Died Oct. 20, 1904 Was a true member of the Presbyterian Church and has gone home to live with God Bernard T. Persinger Born Aug. 2, 1852 Died Jan. 10, 1929 (He was the son of Ely Persinger and a bro. in Law to the Bennett’s) Those buried without tombstones or inscriptions: William Bennett (son of Jacob) died c1850, he married twice, first wife was Katharine Stull J.L. Bennett (son of William) died July 13, 1926, age 86 years. He fought in the War Between the States. Was wounded in hip in seven days fight at Richmond and lost right arm in Battle of Cloyds Mountain in 1864. Richard Fridley died 1908 about 85 years Rimsley Kimberlain d. 1912 approx. 85 years. He came to Richpatch 1895 approximately, with his family and was the last one to operate the Hook, formerly Kimberlain Mill. Mrs. Peggie, wife of Rimsley Kimberlain d. 1913, approx. 80 years Ely Persinger d. 1903 approx. 85 years. He was an officer for the Confederate Government commissioned to arrest “bushwackers”. Jake Tingle d. c1897, age 80 years approx. A wheelwright. Mrs. (Cindy) wife of Jake Tingle d. 1895, approx. 75 years old. Mrs. Litty Persinger, wife of Ely Persinger d. c1860. Dave Fridley d. c1895, approx. 75 years of age Mrs. Lydia Fridley, wife of Dave Fridley d. c1900, approx. 75 years of age. Mrs. Litty Persinger, Mrs. Cindy Tingle and Mrs. Lydia Fridley were three Fridley sisters and came from the eastern part of the State and spoke the tuckahoo dialect. Mr. George King – died before his wife Nancy Mrs. Nancy King, wife of Geo. King d. c1871, approx. 80 years of age Mrs. Patsy Bush, wife of Andy Bush d. c1900, approx. 75 years of age. She was a Persinger before marriage and a sister to Mrs. J.L. Bennett. SOURCES OF INFORMATION: Informants: Mrs. B.T. Persinger, Mr. L.M. Bennett, Mr. W.R. Bennett, Mrs. Harriet Stull, Mrs. Nancy Swisher, Covington, Virginia, RFD #2 Court Records, Alleghany County, Virginia Alleghany County Will and Deed Books, Clerk’s Office, Covington, Virginia ___________________________________________________________________ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Joan Renfrow NOTICE: I have no relationship or further information in regards to this family. ___________________________________________________________________