James Bennett and his wife Sarah Hack made the difficult journey from Johnsburg, NY to Iowa by horse and wagon back in the mid 1840's. It is possible that he made the trip at the same time as his father Jeremiah, the dates seem to bring on that conclusion anyway. It has been told to the family that a cow was attached to the rear of the wagon for milk, and a bucket attached in such a way to the wagon that the movement of the wagon churned the milk into butter as they traveled. Their first born son William and John S. Bennett was born in Iowa. Some time between the time that John was born in 1846 and the time Roland was born in 1848 James Bennett his wife Sarah and son John had returned to Johnsburg, NY to live out the rest of their years.
James, Sarah, son John S., and his wife Rosella Labrum, along with two of John & Rosella's children Walter age 13 months and Emma L. age 22 years, Roland Bennett and his daughter Sarah who died at age 14 years, are all at rest in what is commonly referred to as the Garnet cemetery, or Weslyan Church Cemetery on Mill Creek. Located on the Garnet Lake Road, heading south out of Johnsburg, NY on this road, cemetery will be on the left side of the road.
Old church records from the Wesleyan Methodist Church, state, James & Sarah Bennett were very active in that church along with several other Bennett's. James was in that church from around 1857 until he moved to Thurman around 1892. On March 5, 1881 a Stewards meeting was held at James Bennetts home. He was elected trustee of church property on December 2, 1885.Other Bennetts in the church were, John & Rosella Bennett, Charles & Maggie Bennett, Sophronia Bennett, and Henry Kenyon with wife Nancy Bennett.