As I am much interested in the above family, which I know to have
existed at Norwich, or the vicinity, for a century or more, and have
reason to think was one of some consequence, will you, through the
medium of your useful columns, allow me to ask some of your intelligent
correspondents who reside in that neighbourhood the following Queries?
1. Is anything known of the family of the late Sir William Bensley
farther back than his father, Thomas Bensley? Sir William was born in
the county of Norfolk, and at an early age entered the navy; transferred
himself to the Honourable East India Company's service, made a large
fortune, was elected a Director of the Company 1771, created a baronet
1801, and died without issue 1809.
2. Was Mr. Richard Bensley, an actor of some celebrity, who made his
"first appearance" in 1765 (he had previously been an officer in the
Marines, and, as I am informed, held the appointment of barrack-master
at Knightsbridge till his death in 1817), any connexion of the above, or
at all connected with Norwich?
3. Cowper, in one of his letters [to Joseph Hill, Esq., dated
Huntingdon, July 3, 1765], says:
"The tragedies of Lloyd and Bensley are both very deep. If they
are of no use to the surviving part of society, it is their own
fault," &c.
Any information as to who this Bensley was, will be very acceptable; or
anything concerning the tragedies mentioned.
4. Any intelligence respecting one "Isaac Bensley" of Norwich, weaver;
who was alive in 1723, as his son was in that year baptized at the
Octagon Chapel in that city.
If any of your contributors, in their archæological researches among
tombstones and parish registers, should have met with the name of
Bensley, by addressing a "note" to you thereon they will confer a great
obligation on your constant reader and occasional contributor.