"Bennett, Nansemond County

Arms: Gules a bezant between three demi lions rampant argent.

Crest: Out of a mural coronet or, a lion's head gules, on the neck a bezant.

Richard Bennett was a nephew of Edward Bennett, a wealthy merchant of London and a member of the Virginia Company. Richard Bennett was a member of the House of Burgesses in 1629 and 1631, a member of the Council 1642-9, removing in the latter year to Maryland. He returned to Virginia and in 1651 was appointed by Parliament one of the Commissioners to reduce Virginia and Maryland. He was Governor of the Colony from 30 April 1652 to March 1655. In 1658 he was again a member of the Council. In 1666 he is a Major-General of Militia, and in the "Salnsbury Abstracts" we find that in that year Thomas Ludwell, writing to Bennett, Lord Arlington, states that Major-General Bennett bore his (Arlington's) arms, and was he believed of his family. His will is dated 15 March 1674, and was proved in Nansemond 12 April 1675."

Source: Virginia Heraldica: A Registry of Virginia Gentry Entitled to Coat Armor by William Crozier, 1978, p. 82.

Please note: I can only post here what I have. I have documented this lineage and Coat of Arms through the genealogist at Colonial Dames of the 17th Century. As new research is done, feel free to disagree with what I have through your own lineage societies.

"On 28th Aug. 1603, I Robert Bennett of Wyvelscombe, Somerset, tanner, make my last Will & Testament. I give 1. my body to be buried in the parish church of Wyvlscombe as near my wife as may be, for which give 6/8. 2. To my son Christopher L50, to my son Edward L30, to my son William 40s, to my daug. Elizabeth L50, to my son-in-law John Gould the debt which he oweth me being L13,10, to my daug. Dorothy L50, to my son Richard L10 if he live 6 mths after the date thereof & if he die it is to be divided between his brothers and sisters. To my servant Henry Hill 20s, to my servant Humfrey 10s, to my servant Simon 5s, to my servant Joane 5s. The rest of my goods go to my son Thomas whom I make my sole executor. Whereas I have given to my daug. Elizabeth L50, my will is that it should be in the hands of my son William Bennet & at no time in hers and he shall have the government of her and give her meat, drink and apparel an such necessities as are fitting for her, and that she shall not marry without his consent. if she does, then the interest of the money is to be paid to her quarterly 25s per quarter to her own hands, and if she die leaving children the sum then remaining is to be to their use till they become of age, and that my son William put in bonds to his brothers Robert and Edward three years for the performance hereof and that if she die, without issue the money to go to her brothers Robert and William and Edward Bennett. Signed Robert Bennett. Witnesses: Peter Edney, William Edney. Probate given 30th November 1603, to Thomas Bennett, named sole executor in will."

Burial: 19 Sept. 1603 at Wivilscombe; Married: 10 July 1558 to Edith Edyne.

Sources: Seventeenth Century Isle of Wigt County Virginia by John Bennett Boddie, 1959, pp. 266- 318: The Genealogical History of the Bennett's of Wivelscombe, Somerset, and Isle of Wight; Bristish Roots of Marylnd Families, p. 51.