Note: Below is a three-page letter posted at the German city of Coblenz from Forest H. Barfield of St. Louis, MO to Sarah Matilda Bennett. It concerns the death of her son, Ernest Von Bennett of
Picture Rocks, PA in combat on September 28, 1918 in World War One. There is also a newspaper article, possibly from the Williamsport, PA Sun-Gazette, reporting on his death. If any reader can find an original of this article and provide Bob Sweeney with the name of the paper and the date, we would greatly appreciate it. The article includes a picture of Ernest and his mother. Ernest was a descendant of two famous and prolific Sullivan County families: the Bennetts and the Littles. You can learn more about the Bennett history at Some Descendants of Joel & Sarah Bennett of Sullivan County, PA; you can study the history of the Littles at The Little Family: An American Odyssey. The direct heritage was as follows:
Thomas Bennett (brother of Joel Bennett) m. Phoebe Woolsey
George L. Bennett m. Lydia Ann Little
Richard Watson Bennett* m. Sarah Matilda Ellis
Ernest Von Bennett
You can see a painting of Richard W. Bennett at John Wesley Little. This Little was a professional painter.
You can also see several pictures of Von Bennett at The Vroman and Bennett Lineage.
We are indebted to Sue Shaner of Newberry, PA for this submission made in February 2004.
