SOCIETY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL INFORMATION: Joseph Benwell of Battersea proposed 10.9.1784 by Michael Pearson 2nded James West.
Baptised 21.3.1758 at Hurley, Berks son of Joseph Benwell and Sarah (nee Sarney) who married at Bix, Oxfordshire 23.9.1746. JB bach of Battersea married 21.8.1783 at St Olave Hart St Elizabeth sp otp dau of Joseph Burch corn factor of Tower Hill, 9 witnesses including Michael and Sarah Pearson. Michael Pearson voted in Middlesex election 1784 on freehold in Spital Square, Limehouse occupied by Joseph Benwell. JB partner in malt distillery, Battersea from 1785 or earlier with Joseph Smith Gosse and James Bell, later partners William Tate (qv*), Mr Mark, JB junior, Joseph Kaye, Henry Waymouth. Distillery at York Place (?) and residence at York House (?). Subscribed 1784 to Stephen Addington's Life of St Paul. Freedom of Distillers Company by redemption 1787 son of Joseph Benwell of Henley, brewer. 1788 gave evidence to House of Commons on distilleries. Subscribed 1789 to Lavater (trans Hunter), 1797 to Calmet's Dictionary of Bible. Subscribed 1788 to Protestant Dissenters Charity School, 1789 to Socy for Promoting Religious Knowledge among Poor, 1793 to Veterinary College and to Sunday School Society, 1794 to Hoxton Academy, 1799 to Literary Fund. Steward of Revolution Socy 1789, steward of Surrey Independent freeholders 1796. Committee of Surrey Institution 1807. Daughters Sarah = 14.9.1815 John Ledyard Phillips, Amelia (b.1791) = 23.9.1814 Henry Tritten, Harriet (b.1794) = 2.4.1818 Joseph Bradney all at Battersea. Sons Joseph (father of Joseph Proctor Benwell (d.1882) = 14.7.1842 Seringa Norman) and Peter Sarney Benwell 1802-1848. Around 1820 JB moved back to Henley as brewer. Died 30.11.1830 buried Rotherfield Greys Independent 8.12.1830 age 72. His will PCC 1831 Rotherfield Greys was witnessed by W H Brakspear brewer of Henley. See Brakspear's Brewery by Francis Sheppard pp.12, 25, 43-49