William Bennett (of Manchester)
William Bennett (1788-1866) of Wren and Bennett
1788 December 9th. Born in Papplewick, Notts., the son of Joseph Bennett (1762-1822) and his wife Hannah Hankin
1834-6 James Nasmyth rented a 'flat' (room in a mill) from Wren and Bennett, and one of his first contracts involved machining components for them.
1838 August 13th. At St. Pancras Church, London, Mr. William Bennett, of this town (Manchester), civil engineer, to Miss Anne Gibson Nasmyth, daughter of Alexander Nasmyth, Esq., of Edinburgh[1]
Anne Nasmyth was a fine artist, and with five of her sisters, taught at the Nasmyth family painting school in Edinburgh. Anne met William Bennett when visiting her brothers James Nasmyth and George Nasmyth in Manchester. They married in 1838 and set up home in Salford. [2]
1842 Bennett gave James Nasmyth money to finance the patent for his steam hammer, in return for a share of the profits, Nasmyth's partner Holbrook Gaskell having declined to do so.[3]
1851 Living at 2 Rotham Villas, Putney: William Bennett (age 62 born Papplewick, Notts), Retired Civil Engineer. With his wife Anne Gibson Bennett (age 52 born Edinburgh). Two servants.
1861. Living at 2 Ashford Villas, Putney: William Bennett (age 72 born Papplewick, Notts), Retired Civil Engineer. With his wife Anne G. Bennett (age 62 born Edinburgh). Two servants.
1866 November 24th. Died, of 2 Charlewood Road, Putney. Probate to his widow Anne Gibson Bennett.