Family tree
See Benests of St Lawrence for a full family tree
Ancestors
Emelote Beneyt of Trinity, who lived before 1255, may have been related to:
- Robert Beneest (also spelt Beneyt) of St Peter, living 1331, who had married (before 1309) a daughter of Godfray Vasoun, and was probably an ancestor of:
- John Benest, of St Lawrence, in 1528, who died in or before 1569, being the father of several children, including:
- Noel Benest, of St Lawrence, living 1573, who, by his wife, Genette Regnauld, was the father of several children, including
- Noel Benest, who died before 1605, leaving a son:
- Philippe Benest, who died in or before 1657, leaving by his wife Sarah Luce, six sons. The eldest, Rowland, was the ancestor of the Benests of St Brelade, now represented in Jersey by Mrs Rowland Fitzwalter Benest (nee Catherine Whetton) living at Weighbridge Terminus. We lose sight of the descendants of the second and sixth sons in the fourth generation, and we know only the children of the fifth son.
- Noel Benest, who died before 1605, leaving a son:
- Noel Benest, of St Lawrence, living 1573, who, by his wife, Genette Regnauld, was the father of several children, including
- John Benest, of St Lawrence, in 1528, who died in or before 1569, being the father of several children, including:
The third son was the ancestor of the Benests of St Helier, of whom the present representative is the Rev John-William Benest of Little Cressingham Rectory, Norfolk, maternal uncle of the writer. The descendants of the fourth son, Abraham, are the subject of this note.
Abraham Benest
Abraham settled in St Peter. In a Genealogie written in 1808, he is mentioned at 23 September 1657 as a younger brother of Rowland.
Descendants
Abraham, son of Abraham above, was godfather in March 1669 to his cousin, Abraham Benest (the son of Peter Benest of St Lawrence), and on 2 May 1680, he, being then described as of St Peter, is entered in the registers of St Lawrence as marrying Jane Benest, of St Helier, whose parentage is at present unknown to us.
The next mention we find of Abraham Benest and his wife is in a contract dated 23 July 1713 when they are both described as deceased. By this contract Abraham, their younger son, ceded to Nicholas, his elder brother, all his portion of their parents' property in consideration of Nicholas undertaking to pay all rentes and obligations attaching to the tenure of the property and also to pay Abraham an annual wheat-rente of 10 cabots 4 sixtonniers. This rente Nicolas pays by assigning to Abraham the three following rentes:
- 9 cabots due from the heirs of Noel Benest of St Lawrence
- 3 sixtonniers due from Marie Le Brun of St Peter
- 7 sixtonniers due from the heirs of Nicholas Fallu
This Nicholas Benest had a daughter, Susan, who married Abraham Chevallier, as we find in the Extente of 1749 that Abraham Chevallier is entered as owing a rente, in St Peter, on account of his wife a daughter of Nicholas Benest, the son of Abraham Benest. (For Abraham Chevallier see postscript). Abraham Benest, who ceded his St Peter property to his brother, was married in 1714 at St Brelade (described as 'of St Peter') to Mary de Carteret, daughter of Richard de Carteret, son of Peter; and Mary Le Couteur. She was baptised at St Brelade in 1691.
He and his wife acquired on 10 October 1718 from her brother, John de Carteret, the house, etc, of their deceased father, situated on the Franc Fief at St Brelade. John was principal heritier " of Richard. The contract stipulates that the Bonests shall pay rentes for the property as follows:
- 10 cabots to the King
- 4 cabots to the heirs of the late John Seale
- sept cabots demy quarehonnr to Mary Pipon
- half a cabot to John de Carteret, the son of Richard, the son of John
- half a cabot to Rachel Rommeril
- 4 cabots to Michel Lempriere
- 4 cabots to John de Carteret, the son of Richard, the son of Peter
Totalling trois Quartiers, six cabots demy quarehonnr as well as les droits Seigneuriaux. This contract was registered in January 1719.
Abrahham and Mary had three children:
- Abraham, probably born 1714/1718
- Elizabeth, baptised at St Brelade in 1718
- Edward, baptised at St Brelade in 1721
Abraham was buried at St Brelade on 24 July 1806. By his wife, Elizabeth Le Bas, (who on 25 July 1807 is described as deceased) he had four children. Elizabeth was probably the daughter of Philip Le Bas, son of John, who on 15 November 1723 received as part of his father's property le camp de la piece Girard aux Cainvais, as can be seen from a copy of the Partage of John Le Bas' property now.
The four children of Abraham Benest and Elizabeth were:
Abraham
- Abraham, who was married at his parish church of St Brelade on 8 January 1804 to Anne de Caen, of St Ouen. On 1 June 1805 he received an assignment of 3 quarters 7 cabots of wheat-rente from Clement Hemery, son of Jacques.
- "Clement Hemery, Ecuyer, se trouvait redevable audit Abraham Benest de la somme de trois Quartiers sept cabots de froment de rente de l'assignation de Demlle Constance Charlotte Le Hardy en l'autorite de Mons Philippe de Vaumorel son mari."
These 3 quarters 7 cabots were made up by assigning 3 quarters 3 cabots from the heirs of Nicholas Le Feuvre, of St Helier, and 4 cabots from George Picot, the son of Hugh, also of St Helier.
On 10 May 1806 this Abraham Benest bought a becquet de terre at St Brelade called La Lande Renault from Susan Alexandre, who was tenante apres drcret des hrritages de Mse Jeanne Martel. The becquet de terre which was on le fief du Roi at St Brelade, was ceded by Jane Martel to Jean Le Bas by a contract dated 19 November 1801, but this contract had been rescinded by the decree concerning the property of Jane Martel. Abraham Benest undertook to pay les droits Seigneuriaux due from the land and also a lump sum of 173 livres, 6 sous and 8 deniers.
On 25 July 1807 Abraham Benest acquired from his sisters, Elizabeth and Mary Benest, and from Peter Viel (as guardian of Abraham's niece Jane Viel, daughter of Peter Viel by his deceased wife Jane Benest, sister of Abraham, (Peter Viel acting with the approval of his electors Matthew Le Vavasseur-dit-Noel, and Edward Mourant) all their share of the property of his deceased parents, Abraham Benest and Elizabeth Le Bas, his wife. Abraham undertook to pay les droits Seigneuriaux on the property and to pay 10 cabots annual wheat-rente equally between the sellers, Elizabeth Benest's share being paid by the assignment to her of 3 cabots, 2 sixtonniers rent due from the heirs of the deceased Nicholas Le Feuvre of St Helier (assignation of Clement Hemery). Abraham Benest was buried at St Brelade on 17 October 1807. His widow married secondly Thomas Huard, by whom she had children.
Her only child by her first marriage was Anne Benest, who was baptised at St Brelade on 4 November 1804. (Godparents Joshua Le Gresly and Elizabeth De Caen, his wife). On 14 September 1811, Philip Jean (son of Francis Jean) finding himself liable to her par prise de maison de Francois Benest assigned to her guardian, John Le Montais, (his electors, Francis Le Montais and Peter Sohier approving) one quarter of wheat rente due from Peter Le Brun (son of Peter) of St Helier, assignation de Philippe Duheaume.
Anne Benest died on 30 May 1823 and was at St Brelade. Her property was divided on 30 October 1824 between her aunts, Elizabeth and Mary Benest, and her cousin, Jane Viel, daughter of Peter Yiel by Anne's deceased aunt, Jane Benest.
Elizabeth
- Elizabeth eldest daughter of Abraham Benest and Elizabeth Le Bas, in 1807 ceded her share of her parents' property to her brother Abraham, as has already been noted. In 1824, as principal heir of her niece Anne Benest (daughter of Abraham) she received her house at St Brelade, also among other rentes, one quarter from Edward Collas of St Martin (part of the assignation of Nicholas Le Feuvre).
Jane
- Jane, a younger daughter of Abraham Benest and Elizabeth Le Bas, was married at her parish church of St Brelade on 16 December 1802 to Peter Viel, of St Peter, and they had an only child, Jane. Jane Benest was buried at St Brelade on 22 October 1803. Her child Jane, who was still a minor on 25 July 1807, when her father, being her guardian, ceded her share of the property of her maternal grandparents to her uncle, Abraham Benest, as we have already seen. In 1824 she was a co-heir of her cousin Anne Benest, sole daughter of Abraham Benest, as has already been noted.
Mary
- Mary, a younger daughter of Abraham Benest and Elizabeth Le Bas. In 1793 her son, Philip Benest, was baptised at St Brelade (Philip Worry and Anne Le Brocq, his wife, being his godparents).
In 1807 Mary ceded her share of her parents' property to her brother, Abraham. In 1824 she was a co-heir of her cousin Anne Benest, sole daughter of Abraham, receiving as her share of the property:
- le champ de Girard
- A part of la piece de la Marquanderie
- One quarter (portion of the whole) wheat rente from Edward Collas of St Martin
- 5 cabots 2 sixtonniers (portion of the whole) wheat-rente from James Deal of St Helier.
In June 1826 she was godmother of her grand-daughter, Jane Mary Benest.
Philip
Mary's illegitimate son Philip Benest [1] was born on 5 January 1793 at St Brelade and was baptised there on 16 January. He is said to have lived at Le Coin (now Vermont), St Brelade. He died on 5 June 1870, and was buried at St Brelade where there is a tombstone to his memory. By his wife, Jenny Le Bas,the daughter of John Le Bas by Susana Le Feuvre-dit-Filliastre, his wife, who was born on 9 March 1802 at St Brelade and died on 10 December 1883, being buried at St Brelade, where there is a tombstone to her memory, he had five sons and three daughters:
- Jane Mary, born on 19 June 1826, and baptised at St Brelade, her godparents being Peter Sohier and her grandmother Mary Benest.
She died on 5 August 1882 at St Helier where she is buried. She married twice but did not have children by either husband.
- Maria Sophia, born at St Aubin on 28 June 1830, and baptised at St Brelade, her godparents being Elias Rive, Sophie Le Bas (widow of Charles Leigh) and Susanne Pipon. She is still living, being the wife of Charles George Renouf, Jurat, whom she married on 19 September 1853 at St Brelade, and by whom she has three sons and six daughters.
- John, born on 2 August 1832 at St Brelade and baptided there, his god-parents being John Le Bas and Esther Blampied, his wife. He died unmarried on 27 December 1854 as the result of an accidental gunshot wound, and is buried at St Brelade where there is a tombstone to his memory.
- Anne, born at St Aubin on 5 August 1824 and baptised at St Brelade, her godparents being Peter Briard and Anne Orange, his wife. She died unmarried on 5 January 1886 at Summerville, St Helier, and is buried at St Brelade.
- George Philip, born on 11 September 1836 at St Brelade, where he was baptised, his god-parents being Philip Weary and Elizabeth Briard, his wife. He is now living unmarried at St Helier, where he is an auctioneer and estate agent. To him have descended many of the partages, contracts, etc, relating to the descendants of Abraham Benest, his 2x great-grandfather.
- Stephen George, born on 20 February 1839 at St Brelade, where he was baptised, his godparents being Stephen Joste and Nancy de Ste Croix, his wife. He died unmarried on 10 January 1862 and is buried at St Brelade where a tombstone is erected to his memory.
- William Le Bas, born at St Brelade on 9 October 1848 and is now living at Millbrook, where he is a grocer. He was married first on 14 July 1875 at St Brelade, to Emily Bichard, daughter of Philip Bichard and Anne Horton, his wife. She died on 22 December 1885 at St Helier, and is buried at Mont-a-l'Abbe. They had three sons and three daughters:
- Florence Emily, born at St Saviour on 29 August 1876. Living, unmarried.
- Horton William, born at St Saviour on 11 May 1879. Living, unmarried.
- Hilda Maria, born at St Helier on 24 August 1881. Living, unmarried.
- Sydney George, born at St Helier, on 26 February 1883. Living, unmarried.
- William, born at St Helier on 28 February 1884. Living, unmarried.
- Blanchie, born at St Helier on 13 December 1885. Lived only 48 hours.
- William Le Bas Benest was married for the second time on May 1888 at St Saviour, to Louisa Margaret Le Sueur, daughter of Charles Le Sueur, of Trinity, and Margaret Machon. She is also still living and they have had one son and three daughters:
- Douglas Stephen, born at St Saviour on 10 May 1889, died 29 May 1900.
- Jenny Margaret, born at St Lawrence on 26 September 1892, baptised at St Helier
- Kathleen Maud, born at St Lawrence, on 20 October 1893, baptised at St Helier
- Louise Blanchie, born at St Lawrence on 30 July 1896, baptised at St Helier
- Philip John Benest was born at St Aubin on 19 June 1828. He was Constable of St Brelade and proprietor of livery stables at St Aubin. He died on 14 June 1878 and is buried at St Brelade, where a tombstone is erected to his memory. He was married on 24 May 1853, at St Brelade, to Elizabeth Jane Rive, daughter of Elias and Betsey Le Bas. She died on 7 June 1899 and is buried at St Brelade. They had six sons and four daughters:
- Philip Rive, born on 10 May 1854 at St Helier. He died unmarried on 5 December 1878 at St Brelade, where he is buried and a tombstone is erected to his memory.
- Charles George, born on 16 October 1857 at St Aubin, where he is now living, unmarried, the proprietor of livery stables.
- George Le Bas, born at St Aubin on 22 July 1859. He is now a partner with his uncle, George Philip Benest, of St Helier, auctioneer and estate agent. He was married at Grouville on 12 November 1891, to Clara Ann Labey, daughter of Philip, They have had four sons and one daughter:
- Harold George, born at St Aubin on 20 August 1893. Living.
- Christine Rive, born at St Aubin on 6 February 1895. Living.
- Cyril John, born at St Aubin on 26 November 1896. Living.
- Philip Labey, born at St Aubin on 14 March 1899 (a twin with George Philip). Living.
- George Philip, born at St Aubin on 14 March 1899 (a twin with Philip Labey). Living.
- Emmy Rive, born at St Aubin on 21 April 1861, she died unmarried on 4 December 1886 and is buried at St Brelade, where a tombstone is erected to her memory.
- Jessie Mary, born at St Aubin on 27 August 1863, she is now living (unmarried) at St Aubin'
- Marie Adelina, born at St Aubin 14 Nov. 1865 ; she is now living (unmarried) at Johannesburg, South Africa.
- Stephen Arthur, born at St Brelade on 17 May 1868 ; he is now living (unmarried) at Johannesburg, South Africa.
- Sophia Louisa, born at St Brelade on 2 May 1871; she is now living (unmarried) at St Aubin.
- Ernest, born at St Brelade on 11 October 1871; he died at Johannesburg, South Africa, on 26 May 1901 from the effects of a gunshot wound.
- John Elias, born at St Brelade on 27 December 1855. He is now living (unmarried) at Johannesburg, South Africa, and would appear to be the head of his branch of the Benest family.
Notes and references
- ↑ The original history makes no mention of his illegitimacy- Ed]
