Benchley's immigrant ancestor was William Benchley, who had settled in Rhode Island from Wales. By the 1840s, Benchley's line had moved from Smithfield, Rhode Island to Worcester, Massachusetts. He married Julia and they had two sons, Charles and Julian. Benchley became active in regional politics, helping found the Republican Party in the 1850s. He also served in the Massachusetts Senate from Worcester, and was elected as Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts in the mid-1850s.[1]
After Julia's death in 1854, Benchley arranged for relatives to care for his sons and went to Texas to oppose the institution of slavery. He was arrested and jailed in Houston for helping run an Underground Railroad station.[1] This was after the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850 was passed, which increased penalties for anti-slavery activism. He died in Houston in 1867 after the Civil War ended.
^ abc"Laughter's Gentle Soul: The Life of Robert Benchley". archive.nytimes.com. Retrieved 2022-09-15.
Billy Altman, Laughter's Gentle Soul: The Life of Robert Benchley. (New York City: W. W. Norton, 1997. ISBN0-393-03833-5).
Norris W. Yates, Robert Benchley. (New York City, Twayne Publishers, 1968.).
Roger D. Joslyn, "The Benchley-Bensley Family", New England Historical and Genealogical Register. Vol. CXLII No. 565-567 (January, April 1988, July 1988).
henry, wetherby, benchley, february, 1822, february, 1867, american, politician, served, massachusetts, senate, 22nd, lieutenant, governor, massachusetts, 1850s, founders, republican, party, 22nd, lieutenant, governor, massachusettsin, office, 1856, 1858govern. Henry Wetherby Benchley February 20 1822 February 24 1867 was an American politician who served in the Massachusetts Senate and as the 22nd Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts In the 1850s he was one of the founders of the Republican Party Henry Wetherby Benchley22nd Lieutenant Governor of MassachusettsIn office 1856 1858GovernorHenry GardnerPreceded bySimon BrownSucceeded byEliphalet TraskPersonal detailsBornFebruary 20 1822Valley Forge PennsylvaniaDiedFebruary 24 1867 1867 02 24 aged 45 Houston TexasPolitical partyKnow NothingRepublicanSpouseJulia Ann GoddardRelationsRobert Benchley grandson Nathaniel Benchley great grandson Peter Benchley great great grandson Contents 1 Biography 2 Legacy 3 See also 4 ReferencesBiography editBenchley s immigrant ancestor was William Benchley who had settled in Rhode Island from Wales By the 1840s Benchley s line had moved from Smithfield Rhode Island to Worcester Massachusetts He married Julia and they had two sons Charles and Julian Benchley became active in regional politics helping found the Republican Party in the 1850s He also served in the Massachusetts Senate from Worcester and was elected as Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts in the mid 1850s 1 After Julia s death in 1854 Benchley arranged for relatives to care for his sons and went to Texas to oppose the institution of slavery He was arrested and jailed in Houston for helping run an Underground Railroad station 1 This was after the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850 was passed which increased penalties for anti slavery activism He died in Houston in 1867 after the Civil War ended Legacy editHis grandson Robert Benchley became a famed humorist based in New York City His great grandson Nathaniel Benchley and great great grandson Peter Benchley also became noted authors 1 Portals nbsp Pennsylvania nbsp United States nbsp Texas nbsp PoliticsSee also edit76th Massachusetts General Court 1855 References edit a b c Laughter s Gentle Soul The Life of Robert Benchley archive nytimes com Retrieved 2022 09 15 Billy Altman Laughter s Gentle Soul The Life of Robert Benchley New York City W W Norton 1997 ISBN 0 393 03833 5 Norris W Yates Robert Benchley New York City Twayne Publishers 1968 Roger D Joslyn The Benchley Bensley Family New England Historical and Genealogical Register Vol CXLII No 565 567 January April 1988 July 1988 Political officesPreceded bySimon Brown Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts1856 1858 Succeeded byEliphalet TraskPreceded byCharles Edward Cook President of the Massachusetts Senate1855 Succeeded byElihu C Baker Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Henry Wetherby Benchley amp oldid 1160696476, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
