Philip Henry Stennett was born May 8, 1893, in Catadupa, St. James, Jamaica in the British West Indies, the son of Richard R. and Catherine (Graham) Stennett.
Philip came to the United States on the vessel Munamar, arriving in New York City on August 16, 1916, from Kingston, Jamaica by way of Guantanamo, Cuba. He was then 5'5" tall, 148 pounds, with a dark complexion, black hair and brown eyes.
In June of 1917 Philip had to register for the draft. He was then living in New York City, working as an elevator operator. He claimed exemption from the draft since he was the only support for his mother and his aunt.
In July of 1924, Philip applied for U.S. citizenship, renouncing forever his allegiance to "George V, King of Great Britain and Ireland." He was living at 240 W. 63rd St. in New York City, and was still single.
In 1940 he gave his marital status as "widowed", and was living at 182 Park Row- the Gilbert Hotel. He stated that he had an elementary school education, and he was working as a laborer in the food/produce industry.
Two years later, Philip again registered for the draft, this time during World War II. He gave his address as 310 W. 53rd St. in NYC, and stated that he was unemployed.
Philip Stennett died aged 88 on March 13, 1982 at the Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center, and was buried on Hart Island.
Sources: U.S. Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014; U.S. Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007; U.S., WWI Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918; U.S. WWII Draft Registration Cards, 1942; 1940 U.S. Federal Census; NY, State and Federal Naturalization Records, 1794-1940.