Paul Benson

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Georgina Winsor on 9th February 2022

Paul was assigned to Thomas Cowper and sent to Ballalaba, near Braidwood in southern NSW. On the property in Ballalaba between the winter of 1831 and the winter of 1832 Paul Benson and 13 other convicts built a large stone barn, now known as Ballalaba Barn. This intact and substantial stone barn is on private farm land and has achieved a heritage listing. Over the years this barn has housed bushrangers and the first horse to win the Melbourne Cup, Archer, 1861 and 1862. Archer was foaled in the barn in 1856. Paul lived at Ballalaba and likely slept locked in, on the top floor of the barn until he gained his freedom in 14 February 1837.

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Phil Hands on 3rd May 2018

On 16th November 1829 Paul was aprehended outside a shop in Southwark, accused of feloniously stealing a cotton handkerchief to the value of 10 pence, from the goods and chattels of Daniel Burt. This was his 2nd offence. Paul went on trial at the Epiphany Quarter Sessions. Town and Borough of Southwark on 8th January 1830. He was found guilty and sentenced to transportation for the term of seven years. He was transported on the 'Lady Harewood', which sailed from Sheerness 17th October 1830 with 216 other prisoners,of which 2 died during the voyage. Ships indent records him as:- a native of Cork, protestant and single.He was a tailer by trade and able to read and write. He was 4ft 7inches, ruddy, freckled, light brown hair and grey eyes. On arrival in Sydney on the 4th March 1831, he was housed at the Carters Barracks for young offenders and later assigned to Thomas Cowper, son of the Reverend William Cowper. Paul was taken to Ballalaba, in the Braidwood District, his job was to clear the virgin land and generally work there. He stayed there until 1837 when he was given his freedom. The certificate dated 14th February 1837. Paul gained his apprenticeship with a wheelwright called Richard Kippax in Parramatta. He married on 8th February 1841, Charlotte Wicks (daughter of convict Robert Wicks, 'Perseus' 1802 & his wife Sarah Weavers) at St. Annes Church North Ryde. A letter dated 28th September 1841 was sent to Paul saying that his brother John and his family had sailed from Cork on 5th September 1841 for Sydney. John Benson and Mary became licensee of the St. Johns Tavern in Church Street, Parramatta by July1844. By 1849 John and Mary lived at 1 Druitt Street, Sydney and his profession was a Horsehair Manufacturer, amongst other things. By 1857 Paul owned vineyards and orchards in North Ryde, he had good crops of oranges, apples, pears plums apricots and peaches. He bought several plots of land. Some plots were divided into smaller plots and sold off and others were to extend his farming. Paul and Charlotte had 13 children between 1842-1867. Paul was well respected in North Ryde and on his golden wedding anniversary, a stained glass window was put in St. Annes Church, North Ryde, to commemorate the event. Paul died on 8th October 1898 at Ryde NSW age 84. Charlotte died on 19 November 1902 at Ryde NSW age 80.