Joseph Bennett, a son of Joseph Sleeth and Abigail Lee (Hunter)Bennett, was probably born about 1745. His wife is variously reported as Hannah Starnes, Hannah Ellsworth and Barbara Ellsworth. There is a lot of family research that shows that Hannah Starnes is the only correct name of his wife (see below).

Joseph is a verified patriot of the DAR with patriot number A009259. His service is recorded in Augusta County, Virginia as a Soldier serving in Col A Buford's 11th Virginia Regiment. It is also proven that he was re-enlisted by Lt. Morton into the 4th Virginia Regiment. While copies of a page from the Chevront Bible can be found online, this source has been proven fraudulent. Joseph's service has been verified through the NARA by the use of microfilm of the military service records (roll #1090).

Joseph's parents were probably Joseph Bennett & Abigail Hunter. There are some Pendleton County Deeds that name Joseph Senior's wife as Mary but this deed is dated 20-40 years after the birth of the children. It is also recorded that Joseph & his wife were Quakers but their children attended the Lutheran church. All their children and grandchildren were baptized Lutheran.

Joseph & Hannah never left Pendleton County although many of their children moved to the area of Harrison County that became Lewis County. The family were associates of the Holt and McCauley families, and at least one member of their Bennett family had "McCauley" for a middle name. Joseph's son, William, married Rebecca McCauley and was instrumental in the settling of Walkersville in Lewis County WV.

Joseph died in Pendleton County in 1810. Nedra Brill in The Henkel Genealogical Bulletin, Spring 1992, cites family sources dating well into the 1800's, indicating this Joseph Bennett Jr. of Pendleton County married Hannah STARNES.

7 May 1808 Will of Joseph Bennett (Abstract)
Sick and weak and body. Wife Hannah Bennett: 1/3 of estate during her life. Three youngest sons, Jacob, John, and Elijah Bennett: lands in Pendleton county to be divided equally. Son John: colt and rifle. Youngest son Elijah: colt and rifle. Remainder of personal state to be divided among all my children. Executors: friends Hannah Bennett and Isaac Coberly. Signed: Joseph Bennett. Witnesses: Isaac Hinkle, Thomas Bland, John Dice. Approved by Hinkle and Dice 3 July 1810

In proving this line, it was necessary to find parentage for the 59 grand-daughters of William Bennett, son of Joseph and the settling of Walkersville. This was due to the fact that there was no documentation of the parents of Elizabeth Alkire Conrad. Any descendants from these grand-daughters are welcome to contact me for help in proving their lines if needed. Research was conducted that included both the Don Norman files for this family and the Holt-Bennett family History. While both of these sources had errors, they provided lists of the grand-daughters that were then verified.

Verified Children for Joseph Bennet from the DAR are William, Elijah, Mary Elizabeth, Sarah, and Jacob. His other children include Richard, Rebecca, John, Moses, Abraham, Phoebe, & Hannah.

Lineage is verified as follows:
Gen 2: Gene Curtis & Joan Carol Betler
Gen 3: Hazel Brooks & Lou Betler
Gen 4: Richard Thomas Brooks & Landona B Curry
Gen 5: John McAvoy Curry & Sabina Conrad
Gen 6: Jacob Peter Conrad & Elizabeth M. Alkire
Gen 7: David Alkire & Rachel McCauley Bennett
Gen 8: William Bennett & Rebecca McCauley
Gen 9: Joseph Bennett & Hannah Starnes (Patriot)