History of the Restoration Movement


John Crafton Bennington

1817-1889

[need photo]

J.C. Bennington

John Crafton Bennington was baptized a Christian at age 12, ordained at age 18, and preached the gospel 54 years. He was a pioneer doctor, minister, farmer and storekeeper. John Crafton Bennington purchased land in Smithville about 1855...the Christian Church was built about 1858 and he was the first minister. 

 He founded Ward, Boone Co., IN and was made its first postmaster January 7, 1884. In 1885 he moved to Montclare, Hendricks Co., IN.

 Shortly thereafter, he moved to Unionville, Monroe Co. He was a second cousin of Charlotte Bennington Nesbit buried at Richland Cemetery. (Note: Not "Charlotte" but "Constance" Bennington Nesbit, the wife of Thomas Nesbit who was one of the earliest preachers of the Christian movement in south central Indiana. [webeditor SDH])

 He was the son of Nehemiah Bennington (1756, MD - 1820, Nicholas Co., KY; possibly buried at Concord Church Cemetery near Carlisle, KY), and Sarah Crafton Bennington Reynolds (daughter of Henry Crafton, 1780, VA to before 1850, IN).

 He married his cousin, Mary Higgins (1817-1841, daughter of Levi Higgins and Hannah Crafton, sister of Sarah Crafton) in Scott Co., IN in 1835. They had three sons John Henry (d.i.), Amos Marion (Dr.) and Levi Fraser.

 He married Sarah Brandon in 1842. Their children were Francis, Charles R., Sarah J., Emily F., Sirena J., Margaret E., Mary L., John T., Laura Victoria and also attributed to them are Wm. Harrison and Martha. 

-Source: Find-A-Grave

Directions To The Grave of John C. Bennington

The Bennington family plot is located northeast of Bloomington, Indiana. Take Hwy 45./E. 10th St. out of town toward Unionville. Pass through New Unionville, and when you get into Unionville turn right on N. Brummetts Creek Rd., and the cemetery and church will be almost immediately to your right. J.C. Bennington's monument is about 5 rows in the first area you see of the cemetery on your right. Actual GPS location of the grave: 39°13'46.1"N 86°25'12.7"W / or D.d. 39.229459,-86.420183


Unionville Cemetery Association


Little Union Baptist Church - Cemetery


Tom Childers at the grave of John C. Bennington


Scott Harp at the grave of Elder John C. Bennington


Bennington
John C. 1817-1889
Sarah 1822-1917
Embraced Christian Religion At Age of 12,
Ordained At Age Of 18,
Preached The Gospel 54 Years.

Photos Taken May 22, 2012
Webpage produced April 4, 2016
Courtesy of Scott Harp
www.TheRestorationMovement.com

Web Editor's Note: On May 22, 2012 I visited the grave of John C. Bennington. It was the second day of a week's Restoration Research trip with my dear friend Tom L. Childers. Bennington's grave was in the cemetery at Unionville at the Little Union Baptist Church. It was a very busy day as we were making our way to Indianapolis to spend the evening with our dear friend Terry J. Gardner. Special thanks to Tom for doing the driving on this trip, also taking many photos.

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