Mary BENWELL ¹

  General Notes:

Obituary of Mrs Valpy nee Mary Benwell, wife of Dr Valpy the head master of Reading School

Gent: Mag. 1816. We have to record on June 2nd the melancholy demise of Mary, the wife of Dr Valpy of Reading. She was the sister ["or daughter" in margin (tree says dau)] of the Rev. Benwell of Trinity College, Oxford, who died in 1776 universally admired and lamented. Like her brother she died of a fever occasioned by her anxious and unremitting attention to some sick members of her family. It will not be too much to say that in her general conduct and in all the relations of life she approached as near perfection as human nature will permit. No one was acquainted with her without admiring her. She never lost a friend and she never had an enemy. Her benevolence was constantly but judiciously exerted. Eminently useful her goodness was universal. Her religion was fervent but calm, her piety was sincere and active, her devotion was warm and habitual. She did not like some gloomy ? avoid society but she never went with company without having an effective example of near perfection as human nature will permit. No one was acquainted with her without admiring her. She never lost a friend and she never had an enemy. He benevolence was constantly but judiciously exerted and eminently useful, her goodness was universal. Her religion was fervent but calm, her piety was sincere and active, her devotion was warm and habitual. She die not, like some gloomy avoid society; but she never went into company without having an effective example of cheerfulness, sweetness of temper, affability of disposition, dignity of manner and purity of life. She made all around her happy and she was happy her- self in her family, her connections and her own reflection. Towards the pupils of the establishment over the domestic part of which she presided, she acted not only as a friend but a mother. A short time ago they gave an interesting proof of their love and gratitude by presenting her with plate amounting 250 guineas. A gift the value of which was considerably increased by the endearing manner in which it was made. She has left a husband and 11 children to survive her loss, revere her memory and imitate her virtue.

Mary married Richard VALPY. (Richard VALPY was born on 7 Dec 1754 in St. Johns, Jersey, Channel Islands,¹ died on 28 Mar 1836 in London, Middlesex, England, United Kingdom ¹ and was buried on 5 Apr 1836 in Kensal Green Cemetery, West London, England, U.K. ¹.)