Ann Brownrigg wrote: <snip> >He advanced £750 of the proceeds to Anthony Benn, who had >married Mary's niece, Margaret Spedding, half of which was to >be held for Mary in Benn's name. <snip> From the Benn of Hensingham entry in 'Cumberland Families and Heraldry': "Anthony Benn, J.P., (1743-99), High Sheriff of Cumberland 1775, and the builder of Hensingham church 1791. He marr. (1) 1764 Margaret (1744-79), dau, and heir of Lowther Spedding, of Whitehaven ..." Aha, and the next entry in the book connects the Benns, Brownriggs and Nicholsons. Chris chris@dickinson.uk.net