Thomas Benfield was born in 1831 at Icklesham, Sussex. He married
Dorcas Wightwick, daughter of
Charles Wightwick and
Sarah Eliza Bourne, between 1 October 1859 and 31 December 1859 at Rye. Thomas Benfield appeared in the 1861 census at Couster [?], Beckley, Sussex. He appeared in the 1871 census at Farm House, Halden Lane, Rolvenden, Kent; Head: Thomas Benfield, 41, farmer of 115 acres employing 4 men and 2 boys, his wife Dorcas, 40, his sons Thomas and William, 10 and 7, a visitor Miss Mary Partridge, 38, and 3 servants. He appeared in the 1881 census at Lamb Inn, Wartling, Sussex; Head: Thomas Benfield, 51, publican, with his wife, Lydia Dorcas, 50, and their 3 children, Thomas Whitword (sic), 20, butcher, Thomas Blackwood (?), 17, butcher also and Annie E., 9; and 2 visitors, Eliza Jane Spicer (42, b Cranbrook, milkman's wife, surely his sister-in-law!) and Julia Spicer (23, b Marden, possibly her sister-in-law); and one servant. He appeared in the 1891 census at 6 Cressington Place, Stoke Newington, London; Head: Thomas Benfield, 61, retired farmer, with his wife, Lydia, 60, and their 2 children, Thomas W. 30, butcher's assistant, and Annie E., 19, florist's assistant. He appeared on the census of 31 March 1901 at 97 Markfield Rd., Tottenham, Middlesex; Thomas Benfield a lodger - widower, 72, road labourer. He died after 31 March 1901.