BENSLEYS OF NORWICH.
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.
TEE BEE.