Family background
James Studwell Bennett was born in Lambeth, Surrey, in 1828. He was married in 1849 at Southwark, Surrey, to Emma Cates (1826-1900). They had four sons and and daughters. The Bennett family arrived Sydney in 1853. He died on 11 November 1898 in Newtown, aged 70.
Occupation & interests
James Bennett established a coach and waggon factory in Parramatta Road Camperdown and continued to work there till his death in 1898 when his son took over the business. Bennett had agreed in Marchh 1885 to demands by coach workers for an eight hour day.
Local government service
James Bennett was an alderman for the Cook municipality 1867-69, and an alderman on Camperdown Council 1870-82 and 1887-94. He was the Mayor of Camperdown 1876-78.
References
Illustration (Bennett’s coach factory) in Illustrated Sydney News 26 May 1877 p. 10, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/63334314
Australian Town and Country Journal, 28 March 1885, p. 13
Sunday Times, 13 March 1898, p. 11