
Ellis Finch
Head of Knightsbridge Silver Department
Sold for £1,375 inc. premium
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Find your local specialistHead of Knightsbridge Silver Department
Consultant
Thomas Starling Benson (1775-1858) was a merchant involved in several businesses including copper smelting. From the 1820s he became involved with the copper industry in Swansea and Glamorgan in co-partnership as Benson, Usborne and Company.
Starling Benson (1808-1879) was Thomas' son by his second wife, Hannah Newbury. Starling settled in Swansea in 1830, becoming Mayor in 1843 and Chairman of the Swansea Harbour Trust in 1856. He and his father's interests spread to include coal mining, and they owned much mineral rich land in Glamorgan, in particular in the vicinity of Penclawdd in Llanrhidian.
In about 1860 Starling moved from Swansea to Fairy Hill, Reynoldston. The bulk of his estate was inherited by Starling Meux Benson (1846-1933) and William Denman Benson (1848-1919), sons of his half brother, Henry Roxby Benson (1818-1892). Thence by descent.