Thomas Benson, Sheffield Artist, 1832-1925
Living to be over 92 years of age, Thomas saw many changes in Sheffield. He too went through a lot of changes, first training as a Table Knife Hafter, then a Spoon & Fork Filer, next a "German Silver Smith," and finally an Artist.
For years, all we knew about Thomas was a family joke that said he "drew flies." The joke was, did he 'draw' them on paper, of did he 'draw' them to himself -- in the pub. Sheffielder's love their drink, so it was a funny, but reasonable idea. But I was not satisfied.
Digging Deeper
I wrote to the Sheffield Graves Art Gallery and they were familiar with Thomas, but had none of his paintings. However, they provided some helpful information. Then using the Sheffield phone book, I wrote to all the Bensons listed and asked if they might know anything about him. Many people wrote back, including two men who turned out to be second cousins. Cousin Harry Benson had heard of him, but Christopher Benson had two of his paintings! Both men are now gone, but they are not forgotten. Here is what I learned.
Following in his ancestor's footsteps, Thomas initially trained to be a Table Knife Hafter, making the handles for knives. Although Cutlers were required to be able to make a complete knife, handles of carved ivory, silver, bronze and glass were usually imported or made by specialist craftsmen like Thomas.
Thomas then worked as a spoon & fork filer for the Dixon firm, famous for their silver. They manufactured silver cutlery and other items such as powder flasks. There he polished the tableware by hand using several procedures to give the items a beautiful, shiny finish.
Thomas married Lucy Goodinson on May 15 1859. Eventually Thomas became a "German Silver Smith" and made tableware, ornaments and medallions from 'German Silver,' which actually has no silver in it. It is made of various alloys of copper, zinc, and nickel and was popular from 1835 onward as a base for the now famous "Sheffield plate," as it was tough and resisted corrosion.
Thomas' employer James Willis Dixon financed his way through the Sheffield School of Art after he became too ill to work at the firm. So in his early forties "T. Benson" began painting for a living. (See two of his paintings below.) He was mainly an animal painter, but also did landscapes, portraits, and still life's, and he became well known in the Sheffield area.
Thomas and his wife Lucy eventually had seven children. They named their first son Willis, after his employer, friend and benefactor.
Digging Deeper
I wrote to the Sheffield Graves Art Gallery and they were familiar with Thomas, but had none of his paintings. However, they provided some helpful information. Then using the Sheffield phone book, I wrote to all the Bensons listed and asked if they might know anything about him. Many people wrote back, including two men who turned out to be second cousins. Cousin Harry Benson had heard of him, but Christopher Benson had two of his paintings! Both men are now gone, but they are not forgotten. Here is what I learned.
Following in his ancestor's footsteps, Thomas initially trained to be a Table Knife Hafter, making the handles for knives. Although Cutlers were required to be able to make a complete knife, handles of carved ivory, silver, bronze and glass were usually imported or made by specialist craftsmen like Thomas.
Thomas then worked as a spoon & fork filer for the Dixon firm, famous for their silver. They manufactured silver cutlery and other items such as powder flasks. There he polished the tableware by hand using several procedures to give the items a beautiful, shiny finish.
Thomas married Lucy Goodinson on May 15 1859. Eventually Thomas became a "German Silver Smith" and made tableware, ornaments and medallions from 'German Silver,' which actually has no silver in it. It is made of various alloys of copper, zinc, and nickel and was popular from 1835 onward as a base for the now famous "Sheffield plate," as it was tough and resisted corrosion.
Thomas' employer James Willis Dixon financed his way through the Sheffield School of Art after he became too ill to work at the firm. So in his early forties "T. Benson" began painting for a living. (See two of his paintings below.) He was mainly an animal painter, but also did landscapes, portraits, and still life's, and he became well known in the Sheffield area.
Thomas and his wife Lucy eventually had seven children. They named their first son Willis, after his employer, friend and benefactor.
Finally at age 64 he decided to retire, and he applied to Shrewsbury Hospital. This is a beautiful stone "village" on a hill overlooking Sheffield which was for "poor indigent people of the parish... who have been in business or other independent position, but are reduced by misfortune." He was accepted, and then lived there for a surprising 28 more years! (cont.)
When I visited Sheffield in 1988, I walked the grounds of Shrewsbury Hospital where Thomas had lived. There I met the Vicar and he made a call which produced Thomas' 1894 application, signed by four vicars, and two of the "silver" Dixon manufacturers.
Sadly, the Bensons in America had lost touch with their Sheffield relations, because my Dad as a boy of thirteen, would have happily corresponded with his great grandfather, if he had only known he was still 'alive and kicking.'
Sadly, the Bensons in America had lost touch with their Sheffield relations, because my Dad as a boy of thirteen, would have happily corresponded with his great grandfather, if he had only known he was still 'alive and kicking.'