Benson, Joseph, St John St, Clerkenwell, London, japan furniture manufacturer (1803–25). Trading at no. 202, 1803–08 and no. 132, 1819–25. Recorded as ‘Benson & Co., Royal Japan Manufacturers’ in 1820. Took out a Sun Insurance policy on 11 May 1805 for £3,000 of which utensils in painting workshop accounted for £2,000, in cabinet workshop, £500, and in open shed and drying room, £500. Took out another policy on 17 October 1808 for £400 on household goods, including musical instruments, pictures and prints. [D; GL, Sun MS vol. 426, ref. 747602; vol. 444, ref. 821767]