The next few posts will be about the Benson family of Acomb - both their ancestors and descendants (as far as I can trace both). The majority of people with the name "BENSON" living in Acomb throughout the nineteenth century are related to one another and are descended from one man - William Benson who was born in Whixley in February 1722. One year after he was born, his parents and siblings all died within one month of each other and he moved to Acomb. Presumably William was the only survivor of an infectious disease that came through Whixley and was sent to live in Acomb with a relative.
William Benson's two sons, William (b1752) and John (b1754), went on to become the progenitors of two large branches of the Benson family. There are many interesting individuals in this family including historians, architects, emigrants, publicans, farmers and many others. It's amazing to think that all of these descendants owe their lives to one male Benson baby suriviving a pox or some other disease that swept through Whixley in the early 18th century.
In addition to the usual sources of evidence, I have additional information about the Bensons of Acomb from other contemporary researchers such as Mr Brian Kingston. Interestingly, one of the Benson family - a George Benson - was a local historian who also left several notes about his (and by extension my) family history. I will write more about this George Benson later. He has several published volumes (some of which I own) as well as having left some personal notes to the York City Archives (Acc108 - also available as a copy on microfilm at the London Family History Centre.
The next post will detail the first Benson to whom I'm related - my 3xgreat grandmother Mary Wright (nee Benson) b. 1843.
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