The Letters of Bennett & Higgs

Kathryn Jenkins
  • 0.0 (0)
  • History
  • Updated Weekly

From Utah to England and back again, this historical audio series follows one young couple's journey through letters between 1925 and 1926. What begins as a hopeful season abroad unfolds into a story resilience, joy, and the quiet shaping of a life. My name is Kathryn Jenkins, and I am the grand daughter of John Harper Bennett, and a genealogist.

  1. Afterword

    Mar 10

    Afterword

    ⁠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

    16 min
  2. 11. Letters Returned Home

    Mar 5

    11. Letters Returned Home

    ⁠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.

    12 min
  3. 10. Writing from a British Cyclecar

    Mar 4

    10. Writing from a British Cyclecar

    ⁠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.

    10 min
  4. 9. Garden Shed Margins

    Mar 4

    9. Garden Shed Margins

    ⁠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.

    7 min
  5. 8. An Early Spring Telegram

    Mar 4

    8. An Early Spring Telegram

    ⁠https://app.permanent.org/p/archive/0jxt-0000 ⁠⁠⁠ MORE SOURCES, and TRANSCRIPTS coming soon Hurrah for John Harper! A few days before his birth, the news from England had been uncertain, so much was still unclear but Emily arrived at the nursing home, welcoming a baby boy. His grandmothers, Rose and Marmee, were thrilled and celebrated with parties and visits.

    9 min
  6. 7. Ink in the Long Night

    Mar 4

    7. Ink in the Long Night

    ⁠https://app.permanent.org/p/archive/0jxt-0000 ⁠⁠⁠ MORE SOURCES, and TRANSCRIPTS coming soon Illness strikes suddenly. Harold falls gravely sick, and Emily’s letters home grow urgent, carrying careful updates across the ocean. In California, Rose and John remain unaware of their son’s fragile state, distance dulling the immediacy of danger. And as worry tightens its grip, Emily stands on the brink of childbirth—waiting to deliver their baby at any moment. Joy and fear arrive together, each letter holding its breath between them.

    18 min
  7. 6. Delayed by President Roosevelt

    Mar 4

    6. Delayed by President Roosevelt

    ⁠https://app.permanent.org/p/archive/0jxt-0000 ⁠⁠ MORE SOURCES, and TRANSCRIPTS coming soon  The letters of Bennett and Higgs continued their correspondence, discussing the heroism of a shipliner, Aliciele's surgery, Dort and Louis's romance , and Rose's many updates on John.

    12 min
  8. 5. A Yuletide Post

    Mar 4

    5. A Yuletide Post

    ⁠https://app.permanent.org/p/archive/0jxt-0000 ⁠⁠ MORE SOURCES, and TRANSCRIPTS coming soon Christmas arrives softly in England and exuberantly in Utah—shop windows glowing, parcels tied with string, and traditions unfolding on both sides of the ocean. Though separated by miles, the Bennett and Higgs families celebrate in spirit together, their letters bridging the distance with holiday cheer.

    13 min
See All (13)

About

From Utah to England and back again, this historical audio series follows one young couple's journey through letters between 1925 and 1926. What begins as a hopeful season abroad unfolds into a story resilience, joy, and the quiet shaping of a life. My name is Kathryn Jenkins, and I am the grand daughter of John Harper Bennett, and a genealogist.

Information