Rev Julius Benn

Parents

• ****** John Benn Margaret Rutherford

Baptized on the 22nd October 1826, in Cheadle, Cheshire.

Rev. Benn married Ann Taylor on the 13th February 1850, the marriage was registered in Stockport, Cheshire.

Known Children

• ************* John Williams Benn 1851 - 1922 Julius Taylor Benn 1852 - 1919 William Rutherford Benn 1855 - 1921 George Anthony Benn 1857 - 1910 Margaret Ann Benn 1860 - 1880 Henry Pringuer Benn 1862 - 1934 Emma Irene Benn 1864 - 1947 Robert Davis Benn 1870 - 1907

Rev. Benn was a Congregational Minister.

In 1881, the Reverend and his family were living at 119 Stepney Green, Mile End old Town, London.

THE POTTY MURDER - ARTICLE TAKEN FROM 'PEAKLAND HERITAGE'

• ***********************************************************

In February 1883, two men arrived at Matlock by train. They were the Reverend Julius Benn, 56, and his son William Rutherford Benn, 28.

William had been suffering from serious emotional problems. His father had brought him to Matlock, for hydropathic treatment and rest. They booked in at a small boarding establishment, Harley House, at the bottom of Steep Turnpike.

Six days later the guests failed to come down for breakfast. The proprietor, George Marchant, went up to their room. The Rev. Benn was lying obviously dead, with a heavy porcelain chamber pot nearby. William Benn was in a dreadful state of confusion. He had tried to cut his own throat and there was blood everywhere.

William later confessed to beating his father to death with the chamber pot but he was too ill to be charged with murder. He had suffered a severe mental breakdown.

The bloodstains on the bedroom floor at Harley House were still there when the house was sold in 1995.

With a lot of help, William gradually improved and settled into family life.

His wife Florence gave birth to a daughter, Margaret. But three years later Florence died, and William’s fragile mental state broke down permanently. He spent the rest of his life in Broadmoor.

Margaret was brought up by relatives, taking the family name Rutherford. She grew up to be a famous British actress, perhaps best remembered as Miss Marple.

William Benn had a nephew, also named William. He became an MP, and later entered the House of Lords as a peer. His son was the Labour politician Anthony Wedgwood Benn (1925 - 2014), for many years MP for Chesterfield.

• ***********************************************************

England & Wales National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills & Administrations)1858-1966

• **************************************** 5th July 1883
  • ********** Administration of the Personal Estate of the Reverend Julius Benn, late of 119 Stepney Green, in the County of Middlesex, Dissenting Minister who died 4th March 1883, at Matlock, in the County of Derby, was granted at the Principal Registry to Ann Benn, of 119 Stepney Green, Widow the Relict.

Personal Estate £118 7s 6d

• ***********************

Rev. Benn died aged 57. Wife Ann died in 1891.

Pictured right is Harley House, where Rev. Benn died.

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Aug 11 2018, 19:37:17 UTC