11. Letters Returned Home

1974 Together Again

This is not a perfect digitized recording. Some of the tape cassettes skipped a little. There is background noise like water being poured, etc. Sadly, part of Rose’s speech was skipping including her poem at the end. Regardless, this is a pretty special recording to hear from Hal, Emily, and each of their children and their spouses as well. It discusses growing up in the family and the trip they were on to celebrate their 50th anniversary. This tape was labeled, “Together Everyone, Castle Comb, England 1974”. The speakers are as follows : John  2:01  Moana 9:15  John comment 15:04  Mary Elen 16:06  Dean 20:26 Jan 24:36 Michael 27:46 Rose 33:56 (part of her speech was cut off on the tape unfortunately)  Dick 37:44  Ann 41:25 David 50:51  Becky 54:57  Peter 59:24  Susan 1:06.32 Nate 1:14.08 Marilyn 1:18.22  Stephen 1:24.36  Emily 1:31.47 Hal 1:35.24 John conclusion 1:51.14 Mary Elen conclusion 1:54.34 Hark the Herald Angels Sing 1:55.50 We Thank you For your Love 1:59.15 Nate Prayer 2:03.18  Citation : Together Everyone, Castle Combe, England 1974, two audio cassette tapes, created 1974 (exact recording date unknown); privately held by Brandon and Virginia Sierra, Salt Lake City, Utah; originally in the personal collection of Harold and Emily Bennett. Digitized by Kathryn Jenkins, Woods Cross, Utah, 2026, from the original cassette tapes with permission of the owners; privately held digital files.

Afterword

⁠https://app.permanent.org/p/archive/0jxt-0000 ⁠⁠⁠ [https://app.permanent.org/p/archive/0jxt-0000] MORE SOURCES, and TRANSCRIPTS coming soon My name is Kathryn Jenkins. I am the granddaughter of John Harper Bennett and the creator of this audio story, using real letters from 1925-1926 when my great grandparents traveled to England to pursue music. This is a discussion about the process of making this audio story, some of the sources, and what to expect next on this podcast channel. If you have thoughts, or ideas, feel free to send them to kaththegenealogist@gmail.com

11. Letters Returned Home

⁠https://app.permanent.org/p/archive/0jxt-0000 ⁠⁠⁠ [https://app.permanent.org/p/archive/0jxt-0000] MORE SOURCES, and TRANSCRIPTS coming soon In 1925, Emily and Hal cross the ocean to England with their young son, Johnny—returning a year later to Utah changed by all they had seen and endured. There are losses waiting at home, and financial strains that test them, but there is also new life, growing children, and the steady rhythm of family settling in. Hal returns to his first love—music is left unsung in England but he returns and continues to sing. The songs he carries often echo his time, ballads of Christopher Robin and boyhood wonder. Some performances fill grand halls; others are quieter and woven through it all remain the letters—inked between the family of Bennett and Higgs.

10. Writing from a British Cyclecar

⁠https://app.permanent.org/p/archive/0jxt-0000 ⁠⁠⁠ [https://app.permanent.org/p/archive/0jxt-0000] MORE SOURCES, and TRANSCRIPTS coming soon During a season of civil unrest and a nationwide strike in England, the family welcomes a son, John Harper, into an uncertain world. With food scarce and tensions rising, daily life feels fragile, marked by rationing and the quiet fear of what tomorrow might bring. A second-hand motorcar becomes their small freedom—carrying them beyond London’s soot-filled air into open countryside and clearer skies. Yet even as they carve out moments of peace, a larger decision takes shape: to leave England behind and return to the United States.

9. Garden Shed Margins

⁠https://app.permanent.org/p/archive/0jxt-0000 ⁠⁠⁠ [https://app.permanent.org/p/archive/0jxt-0000] MORE SOURCES, and TRANSCRIPTS coming soon Hal is sleeping in a garden shed garage, Emily is struggling with breastfeeding. Both mothers, Marmee and Rose are sending all of their advice through letters. Every detail of their baby John is incredible to the newly-wed parents. Many things are still unknown with Hal's health and whether he will be able to sing.