The Benson Family Crest

Ralph Beaumont, of Lutwyche, Shropshire. According to Burkes General Armory (1884 edn.) these arms were granted to Moses Benson, Merchant, of Liverpool. Born in 1738, the son of John Benson of Mansriggs, nr Ulverston in Furness he became a Captian in the West Indies Trade and a merchants representative in Jamaica; before returning to Liverpool to establish his own trading house which became one of the most successful Liverpool West Indies Merchants. He was therefore, inevitably, heavily involved in the slave trade and at his death in 1806 he left a substantial fortune under a tortuous will that required a separate Act of Parliament to untangle in 1830 (his daughter Mary was left £15,000 that she would have to relinquish if she married a native of Ireland). His trustees acquired the Lutwych estate in Shropshire which was to remain the family until 1946 according to Burkes Landed Gentry (1965 edn.).

Family

Benson

Motto

Leges anna tenent sanctasArms keep the laws sacred

Blazon

A Military Long-Tailed Chest-Nut Horse, Maned And Tailed Sa., Richly Caparisoned, Bitted And Bridled Ppr., The Saddle-Cloth Az., The Girth Arg., And Suspended Round The Neck A Shield, Also Az., Charged With A Pine-Apple Ppr.

Source

Fairbairn's Book of Crests, 1905 ed.