Anthony Bennett

     Anthony Bennett was born circa 1650 at Gloucester, Essex Co, Massachusetts. He was the son of Eleanor (?)¹ Anthony Bennett married Abigail Somes, daughter of Morris Somes and Elizabeth Kendall, before 1679 at Essex Co, Massachusetts; There is some question as to whether this Abigail is actually Abigail Soames d/o Morris and subject of the witch trieals. I see evidence for both origins. Anthony Bennett died on 12 January 1690/91 at Gloucester, Essex Co, Massachusetts.²
     He left a will on 2 May 1665 at Essex Co, Massachusetts; Richard left his step son (called son-in-law) , Anthony his deceased father's (Bennett) Bible, a musket and his tools. He left Anthony's sister, Elizabeth, a chest with a frog lock.      Anthony Bennett was a carpenter, and lived in Gloucester from at least 1679-1690. He received grants of land in Gloucester in 1679 and settled on the east side of the Mill River. He set up a sawmill there which was family operated for many years.
     It is likely he went to Gloucester from Beverly where a Anthony Bennett was there in 1671. He was supposedly the nephew of Richard Bennett who was in Salem.
     Apparently his father had passed before his mother, Eleanor, had remarried to Richard Window by 19 Feb 1653 in Gloucester.³