Henry BENNETT was born in London in 1795, within the sounds of Bow Bells. On his father's death, he inherited the Sparkford part of Cadbury Estate, on which neither Rectory nor Hall yet existed. He accompanied his mother on part of her European tour, and in St Petersburg, met and fell in love with Miss Emily MOBERLY, daughter of the British Consul.
He approached his future father-in-law about marriage and was told that a younger son should have a profession - so he decided to take his degree in Cambridge. Once a priest, he returned to Europe to claim his bride.
The family toured Europe for some years, taking an English nurse and a male servant with him (to drive a second, "nursery" carriage). Henry worked as a chaplain in various places in Europe - to some extent the route may be seen in the birthplaces of his children. The first 3 (Henry, Emily, Julia) were born in England, then Helen was born in St Petersburg, William in Dresden, Edward in Genoa, Mary and George in Naples. When the curate back in South Cadbury died, the bishop summoned Henry home, so that is where his younger children were born (Arthur, James, Elizabeth, Susan, Agnes, Francis and Charles).
He lived in South Cadbury while Sparkford Rectory and Sparkford Hall were built, then moved to Sparkford - where as Squarson (Squire and Parson) he enjoyed the role of Lord of the Manor, until his death in Weymouth in 1874.