George New  1840 - 1898

 The Late Mr George New – It is our painful duty to record another instance of sudden death which occurred on Saturday evening to a prominent tradesman namely,  Mr George New, baker, corn merchant and miller. The deceased was out in the grounds of Brook Villa, his newly-occupied residence on the London-road, about seven o’clock when he came in doors, and requested the servant to inform her mistress, who at the time was in a summer house, that he was unwell. Mrs New at once returned to the house, and found her husband battling for breath; he had removed his collar and scarf and also his coat and waistcoat. Mrs New directed the servant to hasten with all speed for Mr Edwin Fox, a relative  living at Woodspeen-terrace, only a short distance from Brook-Villa. Mr Fox hurriedly left, but only arrived in time to witness the last ebbing away of life. Pending the arrival of help Mrs New supported her husband with her arms, and brandy was administered to the dying man, but proved unavailing. Only shortly before Mr. William New had passed Brook-Villa on his way to Ham Mill, and in returning had called in, unaware of what had occurred, and only to find his father had passed beyond recall. Dr. Jenner Clarke was apprised and promptly arrived, but his services were of no avail and subsequently Dr. Birch, Mr. New’s medical attendant, who was able to certify that death had arisen from a diseased heart of which the deceased had knowledge, and with regard to which he had also consulted a London physician. An inquest was under the circumstances rendered unnecessary. It is feared the deceased had during the day somewhat over exerted himself, having before breakfast walked to and from Shaw Kilns, of which company Mr. New was a director. He had also walked up into the town to his business in Bartholomew-street in the heat of the day, and previous to his seizure had been seen placing some wood in good order which had been left untidy by a workman. Mr New was a  man of good business habits and sterling integrity. As a youth he was apprenticed to Mr James Stillman, who then carried out business as a grocer at 35 Bartholomew –street. Mr Stillman it may be added, is still hearty and in his 86^th  year.  Subsequently Mr New entered a situation at Reading but returned to his native town, to take to a baking business which was the carried on at 125 Bartholomew –street. Under his fostering care the business was extended, and other branchesof merchandise added. Larger premises were taken on the site of the present opening to Market-street, and when the new thoroughfare was made, he took possession of the corner shop; and subsequently other premises were acquired on the opposite side formally occupied by the late Mr Stephen Hemsted. Latterly Mr New purchased Ham Mills, and the removal to Brook-Villa, a property he had also acquired, was that he might be in close contiguity to the same. Considerable alterations had been made in Mr New’s residence and these had only recently been completed. His friends however had noticed a failure in his former energy, and the knowledge of cardiac weakness, which was no doubt largely produced by a severe attack of rheumatic fever some seventeen years ago - had warned that the end might come suddenly. And so it has happened, the melancholy event has come as a great shock to all members of the family, for whom great sympathy is expressed. Deceased leaves three sons, two of whom were associated with him in the business; the third is in Australia. Although invited on several occasions to come out for the Town Council, deceased uniformly declined to take a prominent part in civic life. The funeral took placeat the Cemetery , the burial service was read by the  Rev. R. Dunn, and the body was interred close to the remains of a favourite granddaughter who died a few years since. The mourners were the sons and their wives, Mr and Mrs W.G.New, and Mr and Mrs F. New, - Mr E, Fox and Mr T.W.Turner. Several old friends were present, and the respect entertained for the deceased was manifested by the number of places along the route of the funeral, at which the shutters were raised and the blinds drawn.

NWN 7^th July 1898