Hunnisett Family History

Benjamin Honeysett (1768-1837)
Wheelwright of Westminster

Benjamin, a son of David and Ann, was baptised in Brightling on 9 May 1768. Benjamin married Elizabeth Noakes on 18 February 1789 in Salehurst parish church, by licence from Lewes Archdeaconry the previous day. They had the following children baptised:

In 1791 Samuel Ottoway of Biddenden was apprenticed to Benjamin Honeysett of Hawkhurst.  By 1795 Benjamin had clearly moved to London and in 1796 Michael Neale was apprenticed to Benjamin and William Honeysett, wheelwrights of St John’s, Westminster.

The London Gazette of 3 May 1800 reported that Benjamin’s partnership with his brother William had been dissolved by mutual consent. The 1805 Holdens Triennial Directory for London shows Benjamin Honeysett as a Wheelwright living at 14 Archer Street, and with premises at Ham Yard, Great Windmill Street.

Of their children only Harriet, Henry and Eliza seem to have survived until 1817 when Benjamin’s brother Henry wrote his will.

After Elizabeth died Benjamin married Rachel Miller at St Bride, Fleet Street, London, on 24 June 1823. But she must have died too as on 14 July 1825 he married Elizabeth Murrey at the same church.  Pigots London Directory for 1833 shows Benjamin Honeysett as a shopkeeper at 58 Friar Street, Great Surrey Street. This may have been one of the four properties in Friars Street previously leased by his brother, Henry.

The Times of 23 December 1833 records the case against John Jetsum, accused of assaulting Elizabeth Honeysett of 58 Friar Steet, Blackfriars Road, and killing her pet dog.

The Proceedings of the Old Bailey for 24 October 1836 show that Elizabeth Honeysett of 58 Friar Street was a witness at the trial of Eleanor Gibson who was found guilty of theft and transported. Eleanor had been staying in lodgings at 55 Friar Street run by Elizabeth.

Benjamin died on 17 January 1837.

Elizabeth Honneysett, widow, married John Bruckshaw at St Sepulchre, London, on 26 March 1840.

Of Benjamin's children:

• Harriot married Charles Pinfold at St George the Martyr, Southwark, on 23 July 1815.
• Eliza is reputed to have married John Jefferies and later a Mr Wilson.