There are six generations of Benson ancestors that I have discovered. They begin with George Benson (abt. 1579-1648) and go through to Catherine Benson (1765-1852). The most notable of the Benson family was a great uncle rather than a direct ancestor. He was Martin Benson (1689-1752), Bishop of Gloucester.
Brief Summary
| George Benson I (abt. 1579-1648) | Born in Westmorland abt. 1579. Married Martha Whitton at Harpsden, Oxfordshire on 8 July 1604. Occupation: clergyman. 12 children, 11 of them baptised at Rock, Worcestershire, where he was the rector of the parish from 1607. Prebendary of Hereford (1614-48). He died on 16 Sept. 1647 at Rock. His third son was George. |
| George Benson II (1613-92) | Born in 1613. Occupation: clergyman. Dean of Hereford (1672-92). Married Catherine Fell, the daughter of Samuel Fell, Dean of Christ Church and Chancellor of Oxford University. in 1643. They had two sons - Samuel and John I. Died on 24 August 1692. Buried in Hereford Cathedral. |
| John Benson I (1652-1713) | Born 1652. Occupation: clergyman. Vicar of Cradley, Herefordshire, Rector of Upper Ledbury and Prebendary of Hereford. Married Catherine Martin (abt. 1660-1725). Eight children. John II was the second eldest. Died in 1713. |
| John Benson II (1683- ? ) | Born at Cradley in 1683. Bapt. 16 Oct. 1683. Married Jane Townesend on 1 January 1719/20 at St Nicholas, Gloucester. Registrar of Gloucester. His brother Martin Benson (1689-1752) was Bishop of Gloucester. Date of death unknown. John Benson III was their son. |
| John Benson III (1724-1804) | Born in 1724. Married Susannah Oliver ( abt. 1733-1824), the daughter of Dr. William Oliver of Bath. Prebendary of Canterbury. Died 1804. |
| Catherine Benson (1765-1852) | Born in 1795. Married the Rev John Wood (1764-1831) on 24 September 1794. They had two sons and three daughters. They had a daughter Catherine and a son William John Wood (1796-1854) |