William Bennet

(Western District) Born in the Enzie, 14th August 1845, the son of William Bennet and Jean Smith, and a nephew of Bishop Grant (of Argyll and the Isles ?); ordained a priest in Valladolid, 16th March 1872, and left for Scotland, 15th April 1872; died at Dalbeth, Glasgow, 20th May 1877.

Date	Age	Description
14 Aug. 1845		Born the Enzie
1860-1865	15	Blairs
27 Sep. 1865	20	Arrived in the College
16 Mar. 1872	26	Ordained a priest in Valladolid
15 Apr. 1872	26	Left for Scotland
1872	27	St Andrew's, Glasgow
1872-1876	27	St Patrick's, Glasgow, in bad health
1876-1877	31	Chaplain, West Thorn Reformatory
20 May 1877	31	Died Glasgow

Christine Johnson gives William Bennett's date of death as 30th May 1877.

Report of the ordination of William Bennett in the Scottish Catholic Directory of 1873.

p>The Rev. William Bennett was born in the Enzie, Banffshire, on the 14th August 1845; entered Blairs College, July 1860; and went to the Scots College, Valladolid, September 1865. He there received the Tonsure and Minor Orders, 22nd December 1871, from H. E. Cardinal Moreno, Archbishop of Valladolid; and was ordained, by the same prelate, sub-deacon, 23rd December 1871, deacon, 24th February 1872, and priest, 16th March 1872. On his return to Scotland he was for a short time in St Andrew’s, Glasgow, and was afterwards stationed at St Patrick’s, in the same city.

Obituary of William Bennett in the Scottish Catholic Directory of 1878.

Pray for the soul of the Rev. William Bennett, who died at West Thorn, near Glasgow, on the 30th May, 1877, in the 32nd year of his age, and the 6th of his priesthood.

Mr. Bennett was born in the Enzie, Banffshire, on the 14th August, 1845. He was nephew of the late Bishop Smith, and was nearly connected with families which have contributed many distinguished members to the priesthood of Scotland. He entered Blairs College in July, 1860; passed to the Scots College, Valladolid, in September, 1865; and after completing his studies there was ordained Priest by Cardinal Moreno on the 16th March, 1872. On his return to Scotland he was stationed at St. Patrick’s, Glasgow. He was soon recognised as a Clergyman of great promise, ardent and assiduous in the discharge of all the duties of his office, but especially devoted to the care of the children, and of the poor and afflicted members of his flock. His constitution, never very robust, was at length so much impaired by the laborious life which he led, that it was found necessary to relieve him from his post at St. Patrick’s, and he was appointed Chaplain at West Thorn Reformatory in March, 1876. He threw himself into the duties of his new office with his wonted zeal, and soon acquired the confidence and affection of those under his charge. But God willed to take him soon to Himself. In the middle of May he was seized with an attack of inflammation of the lungs; and after suffering severely, but with edifying patience, for about a fortnight, his pure and gentle spirit passed away on Wednesday the 30th May. The funeral took place from the Reformatory on the following Monday, and was attended by Archbishop Eyre, a number of the Clergy, and a large body of the parishioners of St. Patrick’s. The remains of this amiable young Priest are interred in St. Peter’s Cemetery. His memory will be long and fondly cherished.