Preston Graves Kennett

Born 10 Nov 1851, Died 19 Feb 1886

Buried Bellefontaine Cemetery, St. Louis, MO

Parents Ferdinand Beauregard St. John Kennett and Julia Emily Caroline Deaderick

Married Rebecca G. Benson, Ida B. Benson, and Mary E. Evens

State Board of Health Certificates

Jefferson College 786 II D R

P. G. Kennett, DeSoto Post Office, 1875 (date of license or diploma)

State Board of Health Certificates

Jefferson College 787 II D R

P. G. Kennett 1884 St. Louis (College)

Jefferson Democrat March 1877

Report reached here last week, through reliable men, that F. B. Kennett and P. G. Kennett, with their entire party, on their way to the Black Hills, were butchered by Indians. We do not credit the report, but think the reliable men have been misinformed. We hope to hear soon that the report is false in every particular.

Jefferson Democrat April 6, 1877

J. W. Kennett has a letter from his brother, dated Moss Spring Ranch, March 16th. They expected to reach Custer City on the 20th, and Deadwood on the 23rd. The party were all well and in fine spirits. We have also seen a copy of the Cheyenne Leader, stating that the party left that place March first, well armed and provisioned. That Indian tale was evidently a hoax.

 
1880 Jefferson County, MO Census, DeSoto
Press G. KENNETT, Physician, Age 28 MO MO MO 
Mary,  21 Keeping House MO ENGLAND ENGLAND 
Press G., 7 MO MO MO 
Ferdinand, 5 MO MO MO 
Augusta ATWOOD SDau 4 MO VT MO 
Jessie ATWOOD SDau 2 MO VT MO 
Clara VILLMER Servant, 28 MO MO MO
 
Jefferson Democrat July 29, 1881
Dr. P. G. Kennett, who some time ago moved to Mississippi will soon return to make DeSoto his future home. Evidently the doctor has got enough of the sunny south.

Jefferson Democrat, August 26, 1881
St. Louis, Mo., Aug. 16, 1881
Dear Sir; I received from a friend yesterday a copy of the DeSoto Herald, of the 11th of August, in which there appears an article written by the editor, which unless disproven by me, would lead the public to infer anything but the truth of the disgraceful and unfortunate affair relative to the Kennett baby. In the first place, I did not go to Mr. Isham with my story; he came to me and requested the details, and I gave him truthful ones. Again, I never requested Mr. Isham to publish them, but on the other hand requested him in writing not to publish the affair. Then as to my writing to Mrs. K. for the child, I will say I never requested the custody of the baby until she wrote me that I had to either take the baby away or support him, as she had Mr. Atwood's two children to support and could not keep the baby. As soon as I learned that I could get my baby, and also learned that he was very ill, I of course was anxious to obtain the child and have him treated. I had been led to believe all the time that the child was doing well. I wrote several letters to Mrs. K. before I got the child as she wanted him taken away out of town. I received him July 9th on the street in an emaciated, weak condition, and immediately called in Dr. J. S. Deaderick to attend him. I afterwards called in R. C. Volker, who treated him in Carondelet until his death. These two physicians as well as myself can testify as to the cause of his death. The child received a fall about the middle of May and was not taken sick until June 6th, with malarial fever, from which he had several spasms on the boat. The fall had nothing to do whatever with his death. As to Mrs. Kennett's willingness to care for the child, I deny. She chose him, the youngest, sick and weak, to be sent away, and kept her two healthy children, 4 and 6 years old. Had Mr. Isham gone to the trouble to satisfy himself as to the truthfulness of my statements, he could have done so, and can yet see the entire correspondence, as I am determined the public shall know all. Then they will be better able to judge whether I misled Mr. Isham and tried to make capital of other people's mistakes. It matters not what inducements I may have offered to obtain the child, all of which I deny and have the letters to prove he was in no condition to be sent away from his mother among strangers. He looked for and called out for his mother from the time I received him until his death, as the ladies that called through kindness can well attest. None of the family of his mother ever sent to see or tried to learn of his condition to my best knowledge, after I received him. As to the famished condition and scantiness of clothing, that remains to be told, as will all the surroundings, when the proper time comes and in the proper place. I have been careful not to speak of the separation, causes, etc., to any one since it took place, and have only mentioned the facts in the case when asked to do so in speaking of and about the baby; and had I known Mr. Isham intended publishing the article of July 28, would certainly have asked him not to do so. And as he did publish the article without my sanction or knowledge, he should have satisfied himself he was right before retracting it, as I have the entire correspondence which will show. I did not know my wife intended leaving me, or I did not know it until we reached DeSoto. Also that I was written to, to take my baby, and that I was deceived, and deluded into bringing herself and children all the way home from Stormville, Mississippi, to be left like a culprit on the very doorstep of her mother's house with the surprising information that she had left me, and would remain with her mother. My neighbors can testify as to my efforts and the surroundings under which I labored while in DeSoto. I don't wish to cast any blame off of myself upon anybody, but respectfully request the public to reserve its verdict until all is told. I enclose you the three letters which Mr. Isham seems so worked up about. Hoping I have not occupied too much of your valuable space.
I am very Resp'y
Press G. Kennett, M. D
 
Jefferson Democrat Oct. 17, 1883
Drs. Farrar and Kennett performed a difficult surgical operation for a Mrs. Maclay. She had an arm broken, last February, and the physician in attendance did a bad job setting it, in consequence of which the arm was stiff and useless. They had to break and reset it, and it is thought the operation was very successful.
 
 
Jefferson Democrat, Hillsboro, Jefferson County, Missouri
 WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6, 1884
SHERIFF'S SALE - By virtue and authority of a special execution, issued from the office of the clerk of the Circuit court of Jefferson County, Missouri, and to me, the undersigned sheriff, delivered in favor of the State of Missouri, at the relation and to the use of Jacob N. DOUGLAS, collector of the revenue of Jefferson county, in the State of Missouri, and against R. Graham FROST and Lottie R. FROST, his wife; T.G. BRENT and Agnes L. BRENT, his wife; Press G. KENNETT, J. White KENNETT and Ferd. B. KENNETT, bearing date July 19, 1884, and returnable to the September tern, 1884, thereof, I have levied it upon and seized the following described real estate and property lying and being in Jefferson County, Missouri, as the property of R. Graham FROST and Lottie R. FROST, his wife; T.G. BRENT and Agnes L. BRENT, his wife; Press G. KENNETT, J. White KENNETT, and Ferd B. KENNETT, and described as follows, to-wit: 40 8-100acres - the southeast fractional quarter of section eight (8), township forty (40) range six (6) east. And I will, on Tuesday, the 9th day of September, 1884, at the courthouse door in the town of Hillsboro, in the county of Jefferson, State of Missouri, between the hours of nine o'clock in the forenoon and five o'clock in the afternoon of that day, and during the session of the Circuit court, sell all the right, title, claim, estate and property of the said R. Graham FROST and Lottie R. FROST, his wife; T.G. BRENT and Agnes L. BRENT, his wife; Press G. KENNETT, J. White KENNETT and Ferd. B. KENNETT, of, in and to the above described real estate and property, for cash in hand, to the highest bidder, to satisfy said execution and costs. Dated at Hillsboro, this 13th day of August, 1884. John L. WEAVER, Sheriff.
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Death Records for Pres Kennett say that he died age 34y 3m 10 days, and cause of death was nervous exhaustion. 
 
The Democrat 24 FEBRUARY 1886
Dr. P.G. KENNETT died last Friday afternoon, aged 34 years. His remains were taken to St. Louis on Monday by a delegation to Free Masons, and buried at the Bellefontaine cemetery.
 
Press G. Kennett, M.D.'s probate is on file at Jefferson College, Hillsboro, MO, file #1930. Ida B. Kennett was administrator. She stated that he died intestate and leaves as his heirs; Press G. Kennett, aged 13 years and Ferdinand P. Kennett aged 11 years. He died on February 19, 1886. George Bakewell and G. A. Auerswald gave securities for Ida as administrator.
 
Probate file #2078 is for the minor children of Press G. Kennett; Press and Ferd. The following bills were presented to the estate for payment:
San Antonio Texas, June 26, 1890, St. Mary's College for board, tuition and music for Ferd B. Kennett 
$186 signed by Francis Feith. Receipt for payment of this bill dated March 26, 1891 by the Pacific Express Co. Money Order, DeSoto, MO
March 24, 1891 from Texarkana shows a balance due Mrs. Ida B. Lovette for board and sewing for Press G. Kennett in the amount of $20.91 and also for board, music and sewing for Ferd. B. Kennett in the amount of $140.45 (this would be their mother - remarried)
 
Jesse W. Benson is curator, appointed Dec. 29, 1890, for Press G. age 17 years 10 months and Ferdinand age 16 years. Letter dated Dec. 23, 1890 from Stanton, VA, from Ferdinand "P" Kennett asks that Jesse be appointed curator. In Press. G.'s letter, he states that he is age 17 years and 11 months on Dec. 26, 1890.