Bennett was definitely one of the original Wilmington \ Cape Fear area diggers collectors. He was a third partner in the Civil War Shop, which operated for years on Carolina Beach selling and buying relics with his good friend and legend, Dickie Wolfe [ also deceased].
Bennett dug and collected a lot of artillery through the years, so we became friends quickly. He was the local 'go to' guy to get a shell drilled or run through electrolysis in his little backyard shop back in the day. It's sad to think that all the stories and knowledge he possessed passes with him. Glad to have known you and shared time with you, my friend