William Henry Bessonett

Born: February 15, 1836, Bristol, Pennsylvania;
Died: unknown
Married: Mary Wright, April 30, 1876, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Divorced February, 1865, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Father: John Bessonett, Jr., b. July 28, 1809, Bristol, Pennsylvania; d. unknown, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; m. Hannah Elkington, February 28, 1833.
Mother: Hannah Elkington
Sister: Julia Fenton Bessonett, b. October, 1835, Bristol, Pennsylvania; d. unknown, possibly New York City, New York; m. Anthony Tatzel, April 25, 1857, Church of the Ascension, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Children: Tony; Julia

Here is a list of individuals found in Philadelphia Directories who indicated that their profession was brickmaker or bricklayer. Note: I’ve been told that in early Philadelphia it was common for house numbers to change as new dwellings were built on a block.

1808
Fox, Michael 12 N. 9th
Fox, John 365 Mulberry
Fox, Samuel 37 Filbert

1809
Fox, Samuel 37 Filbert
Fox, John 365 Mulberry
Fox, Michael 12 N. 9th
Fox, Samuel M. 23 Sansom
Fox, Samuel 37 Filbert

1811
Fox, Samuel 37 Filbert
Fox, John 365 Mulberry
Fox, Michael 12 N. 9th
Fox, Samuel M. 23 Sansom

1813
Fox, Samuel 37 Filbert
Fox, Michael 12 N. 9th
Fox, widow of John 365 Mulberry

1814
Fox, widow of John 365 Mulberry
Fox, Samuel 37 Filbert
Fox, Michael 12 N. 9th

1816
Fox, widow of John 365 Mulberry
Fox, Samuel 37 Filbert
Fox, Michael 12 N. 9th

1817
Fox, Samuel 37 Filbert
Fox, widow of John 365 Mulberry

1825
Fox, Samuel 37 Filbert

1828
Fox, M. 12 N. 9th
Fox, Samuel 37 Filbert

1829
Fox, M. 37 Filbert
Fox, M. 12 N. 9th
Fox, Samuel 37 Filbert

1830
Fox, M. 37 Filbert
Fox, Samuel 37 Filbert
Fox & Bowers South above Broad

1831
Fox, M. 37 Filbert
Fox, Samuel 37 Filbert

1833
Fox, Samuel 37 Filbert
Fox, M. 37 Filbert

1835
Fox, Samuel M. Montgomery Sq.

1837
Fox, Samuel M. 99 Filbert
Fox, John E. 367 Arch
Fox, George 6 near Phoenix Tavern
Fox, Charles Race above 13th
Fox, Samuel 40 Filbert

1839
Fox, James C. 33 Dean
Fox, Charles 469 Sassafras
Fox, Isaac Cadwalader above Master
Fox, Samuel 40 Filbert
Fox, S.M. 99 Filbert
Fox, George 6th above Poplar

1843
Fox, S.M. 32 Madison

1844
Fox, S.M. 36 Rittenhouse
Fox, Samuel 9 Rittenhouse

1846
Fox, S.M. 36 Rittenhouse

1847
Fox, S.M. 3 Park Place

1848
Fox, Samuel M. Rittenhouse N Schuykill 8

1849
Fox, Samuel M. Rittenhouse N Schuykill 8

1855
Fox, Isaac Nicetown Lane
Fox, Elijah J. 401 S. Front
Fox, Lewis Robinson below Montgomery
Fox, Samuel 2 N 16t

William Henry Harrison Fox, Jr., about 1950, Memphis, Tennessee

William Henry Harrison Fox, Jr., about 1885, Natchez, Mississippi

Born: February 6, 1878, Natchez, Mississippi
Died: February 6, 1964, Memphis, Tennessee
Married: Myrtle Dallas Barwick, July 21, 1898, Vicksburg, Mississippi

Children of William Henry Harrison Fox, Jr., and Myrtle Dallas Barwick:

1. Carl Hall Fox
b. August 1899, Natchez, Mississippi

2. Aubrey Emanuel “Coolie” Fox, Sr.
b. about 1901, Natchez, Mississippi; d. Memphis, Tennessee; m. Allyne Townsley, Memphis, Tennessee

3. Irvin William “Red” Fox
b. November 13, 1907, Natchez, Mississippi; d. ; m. Martha Frances Chrisman

4. Velma May Fox
b. May 14, 1911, Natchez, Mississippi; d. December 20, 1994, Memphis, Tennessee; m. Melvin Dale Stewart, August 6, 1937, Memphis, Tennessee

After leaving Natchez, the Foxes lived on the Gayoso farm in northern Mississippi. They moved there by horse-drawn wagon probably in 1913. In was on the Gayoso farm that William H. H. Fox, Jr. lost the eyesight in one eye in an accident. They then moved to Memphis and lived at 1353 Sardis St. on the northwest corner of Sardis and Olive St. William H. H. Fox, Jr., worked for the Illinois Central railroad as a pipefitter. At the home on Sardis, the family had a horse named Pansy and two hogs named Sookie and Sook. We all called him Papa, and all his friends and other relatives called him Willie.

William H. H. Fox, Jr., who was called by his nickname, Willie, was a kind southern gentleman. In his later years, he often visited patients in hospitals and usually gave them a gift of roll candy.

Toward the end of his life, he developed dimentia and lived in several nursing homes. He died of a stroke.

Here’s a photo of the Fox family at their home in Memphis, Tennessee, at 1353 Sardis St. In the back row are: Aubrey Emanuel Fox (Sr.), William Henry Harrision Fox, Jr., Myrtle Dallas Barwick Fox, and Orleanna (Emma Anna) Sharp Barwick (Myrtle Dallas Barwick Fox’s mother). In the front row are: Velma May Fox and Irvin William Fox. This photo is probably from 1920.

Wife #2: For a short time in the 1950s, he married his second wife, Nannette Brown, in Memphis. The marriage was short, and that’s about the best thing that can be said about it.

Here’s some information provided by Dave Linfoot of Gladwyne, Pennsylvania.

First is a scan of a photocopy of a photo of Parthenia Bessonett Richardson who is the grandmother of Marion E. Wenzell.

Next is an image of a china bowl that was owned by Elizabeth Bessonett, wife of James Bessonett, followed by a description of the bowl…the original handwritten copy followed by a typed version of the handwriting.

The Bessonett Lowestoft Bowl and Assorted Pieces of China

Translation of an undated letter written by Mary A. (Richardson) Wenzell, daughter of Parthenia Bessonett and great-grandmother of David A. and Benjamin R. Linfoot.

“This bowl, the property of Mary A. Wenzell, was bequeathed to her by her grandmother Mrs. Elizabeth Bessonett, wife of James Bessonett of Bristol, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, in 1881, and was then 150 years old. When the British troops passed through Burlington, NJ during the Revolutionary war it was securely hidden in a cellar by Elizabeth Fennimore and from her it came into the possession of Mrs. Elizabeth Bessonett.”

The large Lowestoft bowl is of chinese Import-Export origin, circa 1754. While badly cracked, it has since been expertly restored. It should not be cleaned in water, only wiped with a damp cloth. Hidden with it during the war were the following chinese Import-Export items, again circa 1754: a cup; a seed dish with a piece missing from the rim; a tea cup with a dime-sized flower design (missing); a 4″ high porcelain scent bottle (stopper missing), and a handle-less tea cup.

Dave Linfoot
6/14/04

David A. Linfoot
243 Righters Mill Rd.
Gladwyn, Pennsylvania 19035

Here is some information about the early years of the family in France as included in the book Notices genealogiques sur les familles genevoises : depuis les premiers by Jacques Augustin Galiffe, John-Barthélemy-Gaifre Galiffe, Eugène Ritter, Louis Dufour-Vernes, Aymon Galiffe. First is the Google translation from French to English. Second is the original French text. I have not been able to connect these people to the Bessonett family in the U.S. I’m just including it for everyone’s information.

ENGLISH VERSION

BESSONAY, BESSONET

This family, originally from Annessy, having properties in Nyon, where a few individuals settled, at least momentarily, from time to time, this results in their genealogy gaps that I could fulfill.

Weapons: I saw two different stamps: one cut: 1 a lion rampant between two laurel branches which meet in a point; the latter a figure expèces or lakes.

The second stamp quartered, 1 to 4 and a lion rampant against a dry, 3 to 4 and a globe surmounted by a cross. These are the character of a letter, addressee, in 1596, to No. Philibert Blondel, by Abel Bessonnet No. of Angles.

Étienne Bessonay said Gallinat, BG was received in 1402 the same year, we see Stephen Bessonay of Annessy, BG: I think that is the same. It paroît have left three enfans:

1. Étienne below.
2. Jeannette, f. John Voland, *
3. Aymon, f. Pierre Cochet, *

* ffeu Etne Bessonay, 1431.

Étienne Bessonay, the young, BG is not ffue Stephen said in an act of 1430, appointing his wife Jeannette, ffeu Aymery Pellionex. They avoient a house in St.-Léger.

I. François Bessonay of Balaison, BG was received in 1473, and left at least two son.

1. Guillaume, who follows.
2. Jean Bessonnet, based in Nyon, and died before 1527, leaving two son Philippe and Jaques made in Nyon, and with undivided funds with their cousins, and with Jean Baud. One forma probably branch of Nicolas, and the other that of Claude, mentioned below.

II. Guillaume Bessonnet, CG, left at least five enfans:

1. Égrége Claude, who married (1) Guillaume, F. of Nycod of Villars, which testa February 6 1524, se; (2) Clauda Pertems widow of John Bernard, which I do not know if it was some enfans. It vivoit with it in 1525 and 26, and vivoit again in 1550.
2. Sébastien below.
3. Égrége Jaques Bessonnet, married, in 1517, with Philibert, Michel Blanc ffeu or Albi.
4. Jean, whose article will follow the descendants of Sebastian.
5. Jeannette, fem. Marc Cohendoz of Balayson it made a donation to his brother Claude, in 1524.

III. Sir Sebastian, or Bessonnet Bastien, said 40-year-old in 1537, died of fever on 23 April 1545.

Micah Ep, f. Nicolas Rolet the trustee, which he had:

1. Claude below.
2. Micah, f. Amaury de Félix 1542.
3. Jeanne, f. Ruffie Guillaume St. Maurice sus Bellerive 1540.
4. Jean Bessonnet, which Aymon White, his wife, it left a son a daughter, Antoine and Antoine.

IV. No. Bessonnet Claude, C.G., had two wives. I do not know who étoit the first, he had a son named Claude, like him. The second, whom he married in 1565, Françoise étoit No. Arsin, widow Pierre Duret dusire Lyon. (Cont. received by Jean Fichet, Note.) It was Abel who follows.

V. No. Bessonnet Abel, residing at Angles, leaving three enfans.

1. No. Janus Bessonnet
2. Philibert, f. No. of Humbert Lanier.
3. No. Jean Bessonnet qualified middle angles in an act of deMonthoux, Note, 1628.

III. Jean Bessonnet (son of William) was CC in 1535. He had married Étiennette, f. Nycod of Courtagier, do not it would:

1. Antoine below.
2. Antoine.
3. Étienne.
4. Françoise, fem. Pierre de Faigniant, C.G.

IV. Antoine Bessonnet, CC in 1556, had éepousé (1) 1552, Bernarde Bonjean (2) 1555, Clauda Fosseret, with whom he vivoit in 1561. It was the second reads a son named Jaques, born in 1558.

III. Étienne Bessonnet died before 1524, I have been paroît son of William, his son being under the tutelage of égrége Claude Bessonnet probably their uncle. Avoit He married Raimondine, f. Pierre Poterel, BG, who appoints its enfans in his will of 22 March 1529. It was:

1. Louis, *
2. Claude, *
* heirs of their maternal grandfather.

Thomas Bessonnet, † before 1539, étoit course of the same family because of Guillaum Villars, first wife of Claude Bessonnet, son of William, made a bequest to his daughter in 1524. He married Antoine avoit, widow of … … of Molard, it was:

1. Emma, fem. Pierre Arnolet (cont. 1539. DeCompois Note).
2. Jeanne Antoine, legate of the Guillaum above Villars, 1524.
3. Thomas étoit, in 1539, under the tutelage of Hudriol Molard and his sister: he will in favor of his brother, Claude, and Jean du Hudriol Molard, deprived of all its parens paternal side.

IV. Nicolas Bessonnet, BG and Nyon, residing in this city, son of Philip étoit or Jaques Bessonnet; ep. Urban f. by Thomas de Veruca Bs in Nyon, it was:

1. Nicolas below.
2. Clauda married in 1610, with Jean, f. Laurent Voulthier (cont. from 9 February 1610. Monthoux Summer of Note).

V. Bessonnet Nicolas, born in Nyon on 24 June 1601, in Geneva, ép. (1) February 24 1623, in Nyon, Sara, f. Louis Boussard, B.G.; (2) February 5 1637, Mary, f. Abraham Becquier, Geneva (3) March 26 1643, Guillaume, F. Samuel Pattey, CG, laquille testa, 15 aoust 1677, before Jean de Harsu Note; s’étoit she married Jacob Bourcard, BG

It was first lit:

1. Pauline
2. Micah
3. Louise.

The second:

4. Georgea 5. Samuel, 6. Elizabeth.

And third:

7. Elizabeth
8. Frances.
9. Jean follows.
10. Gedeon, article follow.
11. Marie 12. Martha, 13. Marie.
14. Jeanne, fem. No. of Isaac Fabri (cont. aoust 4 of 1683. She had 20.000 fl. dowry. Harsu of Note).
15. Daniel.
16. Françoise, fem. Jean Bonnet.
17. Judith, fem. Zechariah Cochet.

VI. Jean Bessonnet, born 1650.

Ep., 26 aoust 1670, Elizabeth, ffeu
Att François Rigaud, whom he had:

1. Jacob following *
2. Marie 3. Jaqueline .*

The contract with John Bessonnet Elizabeth, Rigaud, aue was passed December 31 1685, fifteen years after marriage.

VII. Att Bessonnet Jacob, pastor and teacher, born in 1675, tested in 1750; ep., 2 March 1710, Sara, f. No. RILLIET of Jacob and Aymée Mestrézat, it was:

1. Jacob.
2. Elizabeth, born 1712, fem. Jean Cazenove.
3. Marie-Jeanne, fem. No. of Jean-Antoine Grenus.

V. Gédéon Bessonnet, born 1654, tested in 1715.

Ep., 4 April 1672, Hope, f. of (unreadable name) Revilliod which it was:

1. Jacob below.
2. Louis;
3. Elizabeth;
4. Hope, fem. Paul Thors.
5. Jaques, Susanne Gaudet married, he had a son named Bernard.

VI. Jacob Bessonnet.

Ep. Sara Mace, which he had:

1. Abraham;
2. Paul;
3. François;
4. Abraham.
5. Sara, fem. Lenard Bourdillon.

IV. Claude Bessonnet, cousin of Nicolas, was father of Stephen aui follows.

V. Étienne Bessonnet, ép. Françoise George (cont. 22 April 1639. Is Monthoux of Note). He had a daughter named Pernette, born 1651.

Marie Bessonnet, cousin Sebastien (of Verneto, Note, 14 July 1544), married to Andrea Stone, who vivoit with him in 1565, which he had Bessonnet Jeanne, married in 1571, with Sambuside Lazare.

Aymon Bessonnet, BG and his son Stephen, vivoient in 1515. Peronette, daughter of said Aumone or Aymonet is instituted legatee by Guillaume du Villard, fem. égrége of Claude Bessonnet, Septier for a good white wine.

FRENCH BELOW THIS LINE

BESSONAY, BESSONET

Cette famille, originaire d’Annessy, ayant eu des propriétés à Nyon, où quelques individus s’établirent, au moins momentanément, de temps à autre, il en résulte dans leur généalogie des lacunes que je n’ai pu remplir.

Armes: j’en ai vu deux cachets différens : le premier porte coupé : au 1er un lion rampant entre deux branches de laurier qui se réunissent en pointe; au second une expèce de chiffre ou de lacs.

Le second cachet porte écartelé; aux 1 et 4 un lion rampant contre un arbre sec; aux 3 et 4 un globe surmonté d’une croix. Celles-ci se voient au cachet d’une lettre, addressée, en 1596, à No. Philibert Blondel, par No. Abel Bessonnet de Cornières.

Étienne Bessonay, dit Gallinat, fut reçu B.G. en 1402 : la même année, on voit Étienne Bessonay d’Annessy, B.G.: je pense que c’est le même. Il paroît avoir laissé trois enfans:

1. Étienne qui suit.
2. Jeannette, f. de Jean Voland,*
3. Aymone, f. de Pierre Cochet,*

*ffeu Étne Bessonay, 1431.

Étienne Bessonay, le jeune, B.G., n’est pas dit ffue Étienne dans un acte de 1430, qui nomme sa femme Jeannette, ffeu Aymery Pellionex. Ils avoient une maison à St.-Léger.

I. François Bessonay, de Balaison, fut reçu B.G., en 1473, et laissa au moins deux fils.

1. Guillaume, qui suit.
2. Jean Bessonnet, établi à Nyon, et mort avant 1527, laissant deux fils : Philippe et jaques, établis à Nyon, et possédant des fonds indivis avec leurs cousins germains, et avec Jean Baud. L’un d’eux forma sans doute la branche de Nicolas, et l’autre celle de Claude, mentionnées ci-après.

II. Guillaume Bessonnet, C.G., laissa au moins cinq enfans:

1. Égrége Claude, qui épousa (1) Guillauma, f. de Nycod du Villars, qui testa le 6 fév. 1524, s.e.; (2) Clauda Pertems veuve de Jean Bernard, dont j’ignore s’il eut des enfans. Il vivoit avec elle en 1525 et 26, et elle vivoit encore en 1550.
2. Sébastien qui suit.
3. Égrége Jaques Bessonnet, marié, en 1517, avec Philiberte, ffeu Michel Blanc, ou Albi.
4. Jean, dont l’article suivra la postérité de Sébastien.
5. Jeannette, fem. de Marc Cohendoz, de Balayson; elle fit une donation à son frère Claude, en 1524.

III. Sire Sébastien, ou Bastien Bessonnet, dit âgé de 40 ans en 1537, mort de peste le 23 avril 1545.

Ep. Michée, f. du syndic Rolet Nicolas, dont il eut:

1. Claude qui suit.
2. Michée, f. de Félix Amaury 1542.
3. Jeanne, f. de Guillaume Ruffiez de St.-Maurice sus Bellerive 1540.
4. Jean Bessonnet, qui de Aymone Blanc, sa femme, laissa un fils it une fille, Antoine et Antoina.

IV. No. Claude Bessonnet, C.G., eut deux femmes. J’ignore qui étoit la première, dont il eut un fils nommé Claude, comme lui. La seconde, qu’il épousa en 1565, étoit No. Françoise Arsin, veuve dusire Pierre Duret de Lyon. (Cont. reçu par Jean Fichet, Note.) Il en eut Abel qui suit.

V. No. Abel Bessonnet, demeurant à Cornières, laissa trois enfans.

1. No. Janus Bessonnet
2. Philiberte, f. de No. Humbert Lanier.
3. No. Jean Bessonnet, qualifié bourgeois de Cornières dans un acte de deMonthoux, Note, 1628.

III. Jean Bessonnet (fils de Guillaume) fut du CC en 1535. Il avait épousé Étiennette, f. de Nycod Courtagier, don’t il eut:

1. Antoine qui suit.
2. Antoina.
3. Étienne.
4. Françoise, fem. De Pierre de Faigniant, C.G.

IV. Antoine Bessonnet, du CC en 1556, avoit éepousé (1) 1552, Bernarde Bonjean; (2) 1555, Clauda Fosseret, avec laquelle il vivoit en 1561. Il eut du second lit un fils nommé Jaques, né en 1558.

III. Étienne Bessonnet, mort avant 1524, me paroît avoir été fils de Guillaume, ses fils étant alors sous la tutelle d’égrége Claude Bessonnet probablement leur oncle. Il avoit épousé Raimondine, f. de Pierre Poterel, B.G., qui nomme ses enfans dans son testament du 22 mars 1529. Il en eut:

1. Louis,*
2. Claude,*
*cohéritiers de leur grand-père maternel.

Thomas Bessonnet, † avant 1539, étoit évidemment de la même famille, car Guillauma du Villars, première femme de Claude Bessonnet, fils de Guillaume, fait un legs à sa fille en 1524. Il avoit épousé Antoina, veuve de …… du Molard, dont il eut:

1. Emma, fem. De Pierre Arnolet (cont. 1539. DeCompois, Note).
2. Jeanne Antoina, légate de Guillauma du Villars ci-dessus, 1524.
3. Thomas étoit, en 1539, sous la tutelle de Hudriol du Molard, ainsi que sa soeur: il testa en faveur de ses frères utérins, Claude, Hudriol et Jean du Molard, déshéritant tous ses parens du côté paternel.

IV. Nicolas Bessonnet, B.G. et de Nyon, demeurant en cette dernière ville, étoit fils de Philippe ou de Jaques Bessonnet; ép. Urbaine, f. de Thomas de Verucis Bs de Nyon, dont il eut:

1. Nicolas qui suit.
2. Clauda, mariée, en 1610, avec Jean, f. de Laurent Voulthier (cont. du 9 fév. 1610. Ete de Monthoux, Note).

V. Nicolas Bessonnet, né à Nyon, le 24 Juin 1601, établi à Genève, ép. (1) le 24 fév. 1623, à Nyon, Sara, f. de Louis Boussard, B.G.; (2) le 5 fév. 1637, Marie, f. d’Abraham Becquier, à Genève; (3) le 26 mars 1643, Guillauma, f. de Samuel Pattey, C.G., laquille testa, le 15 aoûst 1677, devant Jean de Harsu, Note; elle s’étoit remariée avec Jacob Bourcard, B.G.

Il eut du premier lit:

1. Pauline; 2. Michée; 3. Louise.

Du second:

4. Georgea; 5. Samuel; 6. Elizabeth.

Et du troisième:

7. Élizabeth; 8. Françoise.
9. Jean qui suit.
10. Gedéon, dont l’article suivra.
11. Marie; 12. Marthe; 13. Marie.
14. Jeanne, fem. de No. Isaac Fabri (cont. du 4 aoûst 1683. Elle eut 20,000 fl. De dot. de Harsu, Note).
15. Daniel.
16. Françoise, fem. de Jean Bonnet.
17. Judith, fem. de Zacharie Cochet.

VI. Jean Bessonnet, né 1650.

Ép., le 26 aoûst 1670, Élizabeth, ffeu
Specte François Rigaud, dont il eut:

1. Jacob qui suit,*
2. Marie; 3. Jaqueline.*

Le contrat de Jn Bessonnet avec Élizabeth, Rigaud, ne fut passé aue le 31 déc. 1685, quinze ans après le mariage.

VII. Specte Jacob Bessonnet, pasteur et professeur, né en 1675, testa en 1750; ép., le 2 Mars 1710, Sara, f. de No. Jacob Rilliet et d’Aymée Mestrezat, dont il eut:

1. Jacob.
2. Élizabeth, née 1712, fem. de Jean Cazenove.
3. Jeanne-Marie, fem. de No. Jean-Antoine Grenus.

V. Gédéon Bessonnet, né 1654, testa en 1715.

Ép., le 4 avril 1672, Espérance, f. de (unreadable name) Revilliod, dont it eut:

1. Jacob qui suit.
2. Louis;
3. Élizabeth;
4. Espérance, fem. De Paul Thoras.
5. Jaques, marié avec Susanne Gaudet, dont il eut un fils nommé Bernard.

VI. Jacob Bessonnet.

Ép. Sara Macé, dont il eut:

1. Abraham;
2. Paul;
3. François;
4. Abraham.
5. Sara, fem. de Lénard Bourdillon.

IV. Claude Bessonnet, cousin germain de Nicolas, fut père d’Étienne aui suit.

V. Étienne Bessonnet, ép. Françoise George (cont. 22 Avril 1639. Is. de Monthoux, Note). Il en eut une fille nommée Pernette, née 1651.

Marie Bessonnet, cousin de Sebastien (de Verneto, Note, 14 juillet 1544), épousa Andréa de la Pierre, qui vivoit avec lui en 1565, et dont il eut Jeanne Bessonnet, mariée, en 1571, avec Lazare Sambuside.

Aymon Bessonnet, B.G., et Étienne son fils, vivoient en 1515. Peronette, fille du dit Aumon, ou Aymonet, est instituée légataire par Guillauma du Villard, fem. d’égrége Claude Bessonnet, pour un septier de bon vin blanc.

John Bessonett, Sr.

Born: November 9, 1779, Bristol, Pennsylvania
Died: June 9, 1863, Bristol, Pennsylvania
Married: Mary Cronin, November 26, 1805, St. Mary’s Episcopal Church Burlington, New Jersey; b. January 10, 1788, d. July 11, 1830, Bristol, Pennsylvania

Father: Charles Bessonett b. October 5, 1734, d. 1807 Bristol, Pennsylvania
Mother: Mary Millington

Children of John Bessonett, Sr. and Mary Cronin:

1. Charles Henry Bessonett
b. July 4, 1806, Bristol, Pennsylvania; d. October 6, 1880, Verona, Mississippi; m. Elizabeth Swift, October 6, 1831, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

2. John Bessonett, Jr.
b. July 28, 1809, Bristol, Pennsylvania; d. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; m. Hannah Elkington, February 28, 1833, Bristol, Pennsylvania

3. Mary Clolilda Bessonett
b. October 6, 1811, Bristol, Pennsylvania; d. July 7, 1838 Selma, Alabama; m. Gaston Green, March 8, 1861, Itawamba County, Mississippi

4. Catherine Ann Bessonett
b. October 26, 1813, Bristol, Pennsylvania; d. April 26, 1867, Natchez, Mississippi; m. James C. Fox, January 19, 1834, St. James Episcopal Church, Bristol, Pennsylvania

5. James Cronin Bessonett
b. October 29, 1815, Bristol, Pennsylvania; d. December 3, 1816

6. Edwin Bessonett
b. October 29, 1815, Bristol, Pennsylvania; d. unknown; m. Sophia Neal December 25, 1838, Natchez, Mississippi

7. William Theodore Bessonett
b. December 13, 1818, Bristol, Pennsylvania; d. August 4, 1840, Sabine, Texas

8. George Monroe Murray Bessonett (Sr.)
b. 1823 Bristol, Pennsylvania; d. August 3, 1897, Brookhaven, Mississippi; m. #1 Mary Jane West November 20, 1844, Natchez, Mississippi; m. #2 Margaret E. Spangler, March 1, 1849, Natchez, Mississippi

George Monroe Murray Bessonett, Sr.

Born: c. 1823 Bristol, Pennsylvania
Died: August 3, 1897, Brookhaven, Mississippi
Married: #1 Mary Jane West, November 20, 1844, Natchez, Mississippi; #2 Margaret E. Spangler, March 1, 1849, Natchez, Mississippi


Father: John Bessonett, Sr., b. November 9, 1779, Bristol, Pennsylvania; d. June 9, 1863, Bristol, Pennsylvania
Mother: Mary Cronin, b. January 10, 1788; d. July 11, 1830 Bristol, Pennsylvania

James C. (Coleman) Fox (Portrait c. 1840)

Born: May 4, 1806, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Died: December 5, 1856, Natchez, Mississippi
Married: Catherine Ann Bessonett, January 19, 1834, St. James Episcopal Church, Bristol, Pennsylvania

Father: Samuel Fox
Mother: Elizabeth Wehling

Children of James C. Fox and Catherine Ann Bessonett:

1. Benjamin Duncan Fox
b. c. 1835 Bristol, Pennsylvania; d. c. September 28, 1863, Chickamauga, Savannah, Georgia

2. Joanna Painter Fox
b. September 24, 1838, Bristol, Pennsylvania; d. January 3, 1899 Baton Rouge, Louisiana; m. George Danial Waddill, September 26, 1864, Natchez, Mississippi

3. William Henry Harrison Fox (Sr.)
b. October 23, 1840, Natchez, Mississippi, d. January 22, 1926, Natchez, Mississippi; m. Eelizabeth House May 30, 1866, Natchez, Mississippi

4. Sylvania Penn Fox
b. c. 1842 Natchez, Mississippi; d. Baton Rouge, Louisiana; m. Samuel House September 20, 1869, Natchez, Mississippi

5. Henry Clay Fox
b. October 26, 1844; d. January 16, 1858

Grave Markers for James Coleman Fox and his wife Catharine Ann Bessonett — Fox plot in Natchez City Cemetery. Thier son, Henry Clay Fox is buried between them.

Here is a photocopy of a letter written by James C. Fox to his daughter Joanna Painter Fox Waddill from Wolf Lake, Mississippi, 1856. Note the last line which is a notation by a family member that James C. Fox fell out of a hotel window and was killed. We assume he was helping to build the hotel. Date: August 6, 1856 Click the image to enlarge.

Here is a scan of a letter of reference written for James C. Fox by William Struthers, a marble mason in Philadelphia. William Struthers’ company, William Struthers & Company, was a marble and contracting business in Philadelphia, whose commissions included the United States Mint, George Washington’s sarcophagus and most of Philadelphia’s most important monuments, including The Merchant’s Exchange, the Philadelphia Exchange, The Pennsylvania & Reading Railroad Building, and the Mechanic’s Bank. Date: April 9, 1839 Click to enlarge the image.

Here’s a photo of the daybook for the Fox & Bessonett brickmaking company in Natchez, Mississippi. James C. Fox was in business with his brother-in-law, Edwin Bessonett, in Natchez for a rather short time.

Fox and Bessonett Company Daybook, brickmakers in Natchez, Mississippi

Catherine Ann Bessonett (Photo c. 1840)

Born: October 26, 1813, Bristol, Pennsylvania
Died: April 26, 1867, Natchez, Mississippi; buried City Cemetery, Natchez, Mississippi

Father: John Bessonett, Sr., b. November 9, 1779, Bristol, Pennsylvania; d. June 9, 1863, Bristol, Pennsylvania
Mother: Mary Cronin, b. January 10, 1788; d. July 11, 1830 Bristol, Pennsylvania

Husband: James C. Fox, b. May 4, 1806, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; d. December 5, 1856, Natchez, Mississippi; married Catherine Ann Bessonett January 19, 1834, St. James Episcopal Church, Bristol, Pennsylvania.

Children of James C. Fox and Catherine Ann Bessonett:

1. Benjamin Duncan Fox
b. c. 1835 Bristol, Pennsylvania; d. c. September 28, 1863, Chickamauga, Savannah, Georgia

2. Joanna Painter Fox
b. September 24, 1838, Bristol, Pennsylvania; d. January 3, 1899 Baton Rouge, Louisiana; m. George Danial Waddill, September 26, 1864, Natchez, Mississippi

3. William Henry Harrison Fox (Sr.)
b. October 23, 1840, Natchez, Mississippi, d. January 22, 1926, Natchez, Mississippi; m. Eelizabeth House May 30, 1866, Natchez, Mississippi

4. Sylvania Penn Fox
b. c. 1842 Natchez, Mississippi; d. Baton Rouge, Louisiana; m. Samuel House September 20, 1869, Natchez, Mississippi

5. Henry Clay Fox
b. October 26, 1844; d. January 16, 1858

Grave Markers for James Coleman Fox and his wife Catharine Ann Bessonett — Fox plot in Natchez City Cemetery. Thier son, Henry Clay Fox is buried between them.