John Benezet (1749-1781)
Merchant, of Philadelphia
He was born at Philadelphia, nephew of Anthony Benezet who converted to Quakerism and pioneered the Abolitionist movement in both England and America. John's father provided him with the funds to establish his own import business and he also served as one of the secretaries to the Pennsylvania Provincial Congress. In 1775, he married Hannah Bingham, the sister of the extremely influential William Bingham. The following year, he purchased George Taylor’s estate for £1,800, but in 1781 he was lost at sea when his ship, the Shillelagh, was lost during a voyage to France. They had one child, Maria, who married George Willing.
