Peter Benwell

c1820-1905

Peter Benwell was baptised on the 17^th December 1820, in Kingsclere Hampshire, the son of William Benwell (a Labourer) and Charlotte Excell (census records record Peter’s birth place as Greenham)

Peter’s mother Charlotte Excell was born c1787 in Greenham, Berkshire. Charlotte Benwell died aged 79 in 1866, she was buried on the 29^th May, at St Mary Greenham.

Peter’s father William was baptised on the 23^rd January 1791, in Kingsclere, Hampshire, the son of Peter and Sarah Benwell (nee Sanders/Saunders) who were married on the 21^st January 1789, in Kingsclere. William died aged 76, in 1866, he was buried on the 7^th June, at St Mary Greenham

Peter’s parents didn’t marry until 1861 (marriage registered in the June quarter, in Newbury)

In 1841 Peter (20) was working as an Agricultural Labourer, living in Greenham Common, Berkshire, with his parents William (50), an Agricultural Labourer and Charlotte (50). (Surname mistakenly recorded as Bonnell on ancestry)

Peter Bennell married Mary Ann Hillier in 1842 (marriage registered in Newbury).

Mary Ann Hillyer had an illegitimate son, George, born on the 7^th July 1839, baptised on the 4^th August 1839, in Kingsclere,

Peter and Mary had the following children:

James Benell, born 1843

William Benwell, born 1849

Thomas Benwell, born 1852

The 1851 census records Peter Bendle (28), as a Shepherd, living at Pigeon’s Farm, Greenham, with Mary (28), George (12), James (7), William (1) and a domestic servant.

Peter was widowed in 1858. Mary Ann Benwell died aged 36, she was buried on the 13^th March, at St Mary, Greenham.

Peter Bennell remarried a few months later.  (marriage registered in the September quarter in 1858, in Newbury). His 2^nd wife was a widow, Mary Kent (nee Pagler/Pegler)

In 1861 Peter Benwell (39), a Shepherd, Mary (45), William (12) and Thomas (9), were living in Stroud Green, Greenham, Berkshire.

By 1871 Peter Benwell (49) a Shepherd and Mary (55), a Laundress, were living in Monkey Lane, Newbury.

In 1881 Peter Benwell (61), a Shepherd and Mary (62) were recorded living in Priory Cottages, Monkey Lane Newbury

Mary Benwell died aged 71 in 1888, she was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 4^th June.

The 1891 census records Peter Benwell (69), a Shepherd, living at 1 Priory Cottages, Monkey Lane, Newbury. His son Thomas (34), also a Shepherd, was living with him.

Peter Benwell (80) and Thomas (44), a Shepherd on a Farm, were still living in Monkey Lane in 1901.

Peter died aged 85 on the 12^th December 1905, he was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 16^th December.

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