Captain Charles Bennett

(1811-1855)

Tombstone – Pioneer Cemetery – Commercial St. SE and Hoyt St. SE. Inscription – “Chase Bennett. Died Dec. 7, 1855, aged 44 yrs, 3 months, 20 days. Erected by wife.”
Side panel inscription – “Capt. Chas. Bennett was the discoverer of gold in Cal. and fell in defense of his country at Walla Walla.” Established Bennett House Hotel, NW corner of high and State Streets, c1850. WHC Collections 1998.004.0079

Charles Bennett came to Oregon with Nataniel Ford wagon train traveling from Fort Leavenworth, Kansas in 1844. Three years later, he went to California and with James Marshall contracted to build a mill at Coloma, the site of John Sutter’s Helvetia Colony. In 1848, the gold rush began with the discovery of gold there; Bennett and his friends always claimed that he was first to recognize the treasure, although credit for the discovery went to Sutter. Shortly thereafter, Bennett returned to Oregon where he continued his career as a carpenter, builder of the Bennett House (1850), co-builder of the river steamer Canamah (1851), and contractor for the foundations of the first capitol (1854). When the Indian wars began, he became Captain of Company F, Oregon Mounted Volunteers. He died in the battle of Walla Walla, 1855.

Researched by Monica Mersinger

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Bibliography:

Pioneer Cemetery , nomination for historic registry. Written by Frank Bellinghausen, Salem Parks and Recreation Department, December 5 1984.

This article originally appeared on the original Salem Online History site and has not been updated since 2006.