[2] Barry W. Benson was elected to the office of the Secretary of State of Mississippi in January 1835.
[5][6] At the time of his death, he was the incumbent office holder as well as the Democratic candidate for re-election.
[1][7][8] Benson died of pulmonary tuberculosis[9] at the age of 27 on June 11, 1839, at the home of his father-in-law in Columbus, Mississippi, and was survived by his mother and his widow.
[12] In early July 1839, Thomas B. Woodward of Yazoo County was appointed by Governor Alexander McNutt to fill in the vacancy caused by Benson's death.
[13][14] Benson married the eldest daughter of Major Richard Barry.