{"id":4074,"date":"2024-01-11T09:40:17","date_gmt":"2024-01-11T09:40:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/?page_id=4074"},"modified":"2024-01-11T14:21:26","modified_gmt":"2024-01-11T14:21:26","slug":"the-bendings-in-america","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bendingtherules.co.uk\/home\/the-bendings-in-america\/","title":{"rendered":"The Bendings in America"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It is likely that a number of Bendings in the USA stem from one Gilbert Bending<\/strong>. He was Baptised in Ottery St. Mary on 25th September 1691 and Married to Elizabeth Parrott on the 19th May 1715. A year later in 1716 they had the first of two sons \u2013 Gilbert, and in 1719 Robert was born. Unfortunately for them, the following year in August of 1720 their father was arrested for stealing seven silver spoons and initially sentenced to hang. Shortly after this was reprieved and he was transported to Maryland in America<\/strong> to work for 14 years \u2013 effectively as a slave. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ottery St. Mary, in the county of Devon.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Between 1700 and 1775, approximately 52,200 convicts sailed for the colonies, more than 20,000 of them to Virginia. Most of these convicts landed and were settled along the Potomac and Rappahannock rivers. Although many were unskilled and thus put to work in agriculture, particularly tobacco production, others with skills were sold to tradesmen, shipbuilders, and iron manufacturers, and for other similar occupations. Late in the colonial period, a male enslaved person cost between \u00a335 and \u00a344. Most male convicts sold for less than \u00a313 and the women for \u00a37 to \u00a310.<\/strong> Even semiskilled convicts could be purchased for \u00a37 to \u00a314 and skilled felons for \u00a315 to \u00a325. A final inducement for buying convicts came from the fact that because they were already outlaws from society\u2019s rules, they could more easily be exploited..<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Most convicts sent to America were put to work in Maryland and Virginia.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

By 1735 Gilbert had been released having served his 14 year’s as a labourer and, it seems the first thing he did was marry (again). His wife is only recorded as Jane and no origins for her can be found. In the same year she gave birth to a daughter \u2013 Elizabeth. In 1737 they produced a son, John.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gilbert Died in September 1749, or shortly after, having made the following will:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the name of God Amen I Gilbert Bending of St Mary’s County being sick and weak in body but of perfect sense and memory I praise God for the same do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following:- Imprimes I bequeath my Soul to God and my body to the Earth to be decently interred at the discretion of my Executrix hereafter named, I give unto my Son John Bending and unto my Daughter Elizabeth Bending five shillings current money each I give unto my beloved Wife Jane Bending and to her heirs forever all the Residue of my Estate after paying all my just Debts and funeral Expenses and I do nominate constitute and appoint my said Wife Jane Bending Executrix of this my last Will and Testament hereby Revoking all others by me formerly made In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal the 4th day of September Anno Domini 1749<\/em>
Gilbert Bending (his mark) Sealed Signed and Sealed in the presence of us<\/em>…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Early US census information showing the distribution of Bendings.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It is likely that a number of Bendings in the USA stem from one Gilbert Bending. He was Baptised in Ottery St. Mary on 25th September 1691 and Married to Elizabeth Parrott on the 19th May 1715. A year later in 1716 they had the first of two sons \u2013 Gilbert, and in 1719 Robert … <\/p>\n

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