Charles Hindley, Esq.,
76, Rose Hill Terrace, Brighton.
At this date we were through the instrumentality of Mrs. Paul, widow of Mr. James Paul—formerly in the service of Catnach, introduced to Mrs. Elizabeth Benton, the last surviving daughter of John and Mary Catnach. Mr. Benton was assistant treasurer, and box-book keeper to Mr. Alfred Bunn, of Covent Garden and Drury Lane Theatres, Mrs. Benton, at the time being wardrobe-mistress and costumier. At one period Mr. and Mrs. Benton lived with Mr. Bunn in St James’ Place, St. James’ Street, Mrs. Benton acting in the capacity of housekeeper. During several seasons Mr. Benton was also treasurer for the proprietors of Vauxhall Gardens, afterwards he filled the same office for E. T. Smith—Dazzle Smith! at Cremorne Gardens. He died abroad in 1856. The interview we had with Mrs. Benton led up to receiving the two letters that follow:—
5, Sonderburg Road,
Seven Sisters’ Road, Holloway.
London. November, 13th, 1876.
Dear Sir,
In reply to your letter, in which you ask if I know where my Father and mother were married, I regret to say I do not know for certain if it was in Edinburgh or Berwick-on-Tweed, but I am certain it was not in Alnwick.
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I shall feel obliged for the [Alnwick] Journal, and also for the Register of Baptisms.
I always understood that my father was a descendant of Catnach, King of the Picts.
