In his day, he was noted for his 1871 bust of Henry Richardson, the first Mayor of Barnsley, his keystone heads on the 1874 Queen's Hotel in the same town, and his architectural sculpture on George Corson's 1881 School Board offices, Leeds.

His father was James Payler (b.Woodhouse 18 May 1809), a wool cloth sorter; his mother was Hannah Payler nee Spurr (Hunslet 10 March 1808 – Leeds 1852), the fourth of numerous siblings, the surviving ones being Thomas Spurr, Edward T., Ann Elizabeth a milliner (1835–1911), John a brush maker, Emily, James, Mary, Lucy, and twins Henry Thomas and Frederick; all born at Woodhouse.

[8][9] Assuming that he completed his apprenticeship at age 21, he could have been a top sculptor from 1862; it is not known whether he continued employment with Catherine Mawer until 1871 when he began independent work.

[14] They had at least six children: Benjamin (1875–1875),[15] Frank Lassey (1876–1963)[16] a bank clerk, Margaret Louise (b.1877; m.1912),[17] Sydney (1878–1886),[18] James Stanley (1880 – 24 January 1883)[19][20] and Henry Rowland (1881 – 7 March 1885).

[23] In 1881 they and their children Frank, Sydney and James, and a domestic servant, were living at 19 Kingsham Road, Leeds; he is described as a sculptor mason, employing four men.

"[32] The bust was presented to Richardson at Barnsley Corn Exchange,[nb 1] by his linen factory employees, in token of their esteem, and in recognition of his golden wedding anniversary earlier the same year.

The Yorkshire Post described it thus: "A handsome marble bust of himself, which had been executed by Mr Benjamin Payler, of Leeds, a young and rising artist.

In 1871, the Barnsley Chronicle reported:[35] "The bust, which is of beautiful white marble, has been executed by Mr Benjamin Payler, of Leeds, a young artist of considerable promise, who bids fair, at no distant date, to distinguish himself as a sculptor.

He is, we may state in passing, the same artist who executed the sculptures on the Queen's Hotel, bottom of Regent Street, which comprise admirable likenesses of the Mayor and Mr Richardson.

As will be seen from the subjoined address it is the wish of the workpeople that when Barnsley becomes possessed of a Town Hall ... the bust should be offered to the Corporation, to be placed by them, if accepted, in some conspicuous part of the building, to remain [as a memorial of his integrity, good works and generosity.

Payler created the sculpted heads on the building, including portraits of Queen Victoria, and Henry Richardson, first Mayor of Barnsley.

[35] The Historic England listing description includes:[37] "Symmetrical facade to Regent Street: central bay and each end marked by pilasters with acanthus capitals.

1st-floor sash windows on decorative sill band all square-headed, the central one enriched with garlanded lions-head consoles supporting segmental pediment, with balustrade with urns.

The Leeds Mercury said that:[48] "Carving has been judiciously, though not lavishly, applied in adornment, and this front, with its fluted pillars and pilasters, its Corinthian capitals and beautiful detail work, its cornices and balustrading and its lofty pavilion, is harmonious in design and treatment, and pleasant to the eye ...

Entering by the principal doorway in Calverley Street,it will be noticed that in the jambs of the archway are carved full-length figures, emblematical of the School Board work.

They have been carefully executed, and reflects credit on the sculptor, Mr. Matthew Taylor, of Leeds ... Mr. Benjamin Payler, stone carving.

The centre panel under the book rest contains a figure of St. Lawrence, the patron saint of the church, in bold relief, which stands upon the floor of the pulpit, and is supported by three red stone (Dumfries)[54] shafts, the whole forming an imposing piece of ecclesiastical architecture.

"[52] (Leeds Mercury 17 September 1888)The "Caen-stone octagonal pulpit with shafted marble columns" is described in the listing,[51][55] but all internal furnishings were removed from the nave during the 2002 reordering.

[59] English Church Architecture describes them as follows:[60] "The reredos, reading desk and pulpit form a matching set of furnishings added in 1889 to the designs of Benjamin Payler of Leeds.

They are made of white stone with coloured marble shafts at the sides or angles and are covered over much of their surfaces with diapering or small repeating flowers.