BENNETT, WILLIAM JAMES EARLY, eldest son of Maj. William Bennett, Royal Engineers, Dungannon, co. Tyrone; b. Halifax, Nova Scotia, 15 Nov 1804; adm. 16 Sep 1816 (Best's); KS 1818; Capt. of the School 1822; elected head to Christ Church, Oxford 1823, matr. 9 May 1823, Westminster Student; BA 1827; MA 1829; Usher at the School 1826-8; ordained; Curate, St. Peter, Vere Street, Marylebone, 1831, All Souls, Langham Place, Marylebone to 1836; Minister, Portman Chapel, 1836-43; first incumbent of St. Paul’s, Knightsbridge, nominated 1840, although church not consecrated until 30 Jun 1843; promoted the building of St. Barnabas, Pimlico, consecrated 11 Jun 1850; the advanced ritual introduced by him at these two churches caused riots, and led to his resignation, tendered 4 Dec 1850 and taking effect 25 Mar 1851; Vicar of Frome Selwood, Somerset, from Jan 1852; charged with heresy by Church Association in consequence of his use of some unguarded expressions on the Real Presence, but the judgment given in his favour by Sir Robert Joseph Phillimore (qv), 23 Jul 1870, was upheld by the Privy Council 8 Jun 1872; editor, The Theologian and The Old Church Porch 1854-62; author, The Eucharist, its History, Doctrine, and Practice, 1837, and other works; m. 21 Aug 1828 Mary, eldest dau. of Sir William Franklin MD KCH FRCP (Ed), Principal Inspector-General of Hospitals, Army; d. 17 Aug 1886. DNB.
