Richard Bennett (governor) facts for kids

Richard Bennett (born 1608 – died 1675) was an English farmer and important leader in the early Colony of Virginia. He served as the Governor of Virginia from 1652 to 1655.

Bennett first arrived in Virginia in 1629. He came to look after the business of his uncle, Edward Bennett, managing a large farm called Bennett's Welcome. This farm was in an area then known as Warrascoyack, which later became Isle of Wight County.

Over time, Richard Bennett bought his own land, eventually owning thousands of acres in both Virginia and Maryland. He settled with other Puritan families in Nansemond. Later, he and many others there became Quakers, influenced by the teachings of George Fox. In 1665, he bought another 2,500 acres in what is now Wicomico County, Maryland, where he developed a farm called Bennett's Adventure.

Early Life and Arrival in Virginia

Richard Bennett was born in 1608 in Wiveliscombe, England. He became governor of Virginia on April 30, 1652, and served until March 2, 1655.

His uncle, Edward Bennett, was a wealthy merchant from London and one of the few Puritans involved with the Virginia Company. Edward received land in Virginia in 1621 and started a large farm in Warrascoyack. His brothers, Robert and Richard, helped manage it before they passed away. Edward himself visited the colony and represented his farm in the House of Burgesses in 1628, then returned to England.

Richard Bennett took over his uncle's business in Virginia and quickly became a respected leader. He represented his family's farm in the House of Burgesses in 1629 and 1631.

Leading the Puritan Community

Bennett became the leader of the small Puritan community living south of the James River. Starting in 1635, he led them from Warrascoyack to Nansemond. The area of Warrascoyack was renamed Isle of Wight County in 1637.

Bennett was a member of Governor Francis Wyatt's Council from 1639 to 1642. During the English Civil War, when there was political and religious tension, he moved to Anne Arundel, Maryland in 1648.

Becoming Governor of Virginia

Governor William Berkeley had supported the King during the English Civil War. However, on March 12, 1652, he gave up control to representatives of the Commonwealth (the new government in England).

Richard Bennett returned to Virginia and was chosen by everyone in the House of Burgesses to be governor on April 30, 1652. We don't know a lot about his time as governor, but people believe he was well-liked by the colonists.

Working with Maryland and Native Tribes

While governor of Virginia, Bennett also spent a lot of time helping with matters in the Maryland colony. He talked with the Susquehannock tribe, who spoke an Iroquoian language. On July 5, 1652, he signed a treaty with them. This treaty gave the colonists land from the Patuxent River to Palmer's Island on the western side of the Chesapeake Bay. It also included land from the Choptank River to the northeast branch of the Elk River on the eastern side of the bay. (Some of this land was still claimed by the Nanticoke Indian Tribe, who spoke a different language and had a different culture.)

During the English Civil War, Bennett helped make sure Puritans had control in Maryland. On March 30, 1655, he willingly stepped down as governor and traveled to England to meet with Oliver Cromwell, a powerful leader in England.

Later Years and Important Treaties

On November 30, 1657, Bennett returned to the colonies. He signed a treaty with Cecilius Calvert, 2nd Baron Baltimore, which recognized Calvert's claim to Maryland. Bennett then rejoined the governor's Council in Virginia and was also made a major-general.

In 1665, Bennett received the rights to 2,500 acres of land on the north side of Wicomico Creek in what is now Wicomico County, Maryland. This large farm became known as Bennett's Adventure. A house built there by the next owner in the 1700s is still standing today. The property was recognized as a historic place in 1975.

In 1667, Bennett led English forces against a Dutch fleet of four ships that were causing trouble at Hampton Roads.

In 1672, George Fox, who started the Quaker movement, visited the Puritans in Nansemond, Virginia. He convinced many of them, including Bennett, to join the Quaker faith.

Richard Bennett's Family

Richard Bennett is believed to be the son of Thomas Bennett and Antsie Tomson from Wiveliscombe, England.

By 1642, Richard Bennett married Mrs. Mary Ann Utie, who was the widow of John Utie, Sr.

Their children were:

• Richard Bennett Jr., who married Henrietta Maria Neale. He drowned on his property in May 1667.
• Anna Bennett (died 1687), who first married Theodorick Bland of Westover in 1660. They had three sons: Theodorick Bland, Richard Bland (who had many famous descendants), and John Bland. Anna's second marriage was to Colonel St. Leger Codd, and they had one son, also named St. Leger Codd.
• Elizabeth Bennett, who married Colonel Charles Scarborough of Accomac County.

Some of Richard Bennett's famous descendants include Richard Bland II, John Randolph of Roanoke, Henry Lee III, Robert E. Lee, and Roger Atkinson Pryor.