About the Bennells

For the Record was researched primarily from public records—Launceston Valuation Rolls, Lands Titles, local newspapers and census returns—but Bennell and Beaumont family members provided family histories, photographs and memoirs which add a great deal to the main architectural story .

The Bennell and Beaumont families in Australia had common ancestors through the Munsey family in England.

James Bennell and his wife, Hephzibah Beaumont, had thirteen children. Four of their seven surviving children remained in Tasmania: Henry, Sarah, John and Robert. James’s sons became known as the Bennell Brothers, continued as a building and decorating firm in Launceston and managed their father’s estate.

A great deal of research has been compiled on the Bennells and Beaumonts in Australia.

James Bennell’s elder brother, John Jr, arrived in Launceston in 1832 before the remainder of his family but he moved to Melbourne in 1839 and eventually had eighteen children.

A family tree of John Jr’s family and their descendants has been compiled by family members. For further information you may wish to contact:

Tania Bennell-Williams
tmbw.familytree@gmail.com

Family trees have also been compiled on the Bennell and Beaumont families in Tasmania. Please contact:

Amanda Drake
PO Box 1210
Biloela, Queensland 4715

For the Beaumont family Australia-wide please contact:

Mrs Marie Clarke
PO Box 25
Mittagong, New South Wales 2575

For the Record

James Bennell

Hephzibah Bennell