ROBERT BELL died 30/01/1915 (Husband of Mary)

BELL: Jan. 30, at Cravendale, Newbury, Robert Bell, formerly of the Market-place, in his 89th year

Also see obituary                                                                                                         NWN 04/02/1915

DEATH OF MR. ROBERT BELL

SEVENTY YEARS IN NEWBURY

AN OLD-TIME DRAPER

The death of Mr. Robert Bell, which took place at his residence in Craven-road on Saturday, removes one who had made Newbury the town of his adoption, and resided there for over seventy years. Had he lived to March 4^th, he would have celebrated his 89^th birthday. He was a Scotchman, born in 1826 at Cockpool, Ruthwell, Dumfries. His father, John Bell, was a “son of the soil”, and in his younger days was chiefly engaged in agricultural pursuits – ploughing, sowing, reaping, mowing etc. He lived to the great age of 90 years, and hardly ever had a day’s illness. His eldest son, Robert, was intended for “the Kirk”. He received his education in the parish school, in the village of Clarencefield, and at the Academy in Dumfries; and was for some time assistant teacher under Mr. Fergusson, a man famous as a schoolmaster in his day. The death of Mr. Fergusson, and subsequently of the minister of the parish, the Rev. Henry Duncan, D.D., both of whom took a great interest in the “Young Dominie” and were making arrangements to send him to college at Edinburgh, upset the plans, and young Bell was induced to turn his attention to the Scotch drapery trade in England.

A neighbouring farmer had a brother in the trade in Bath, who was in want of a young man: and Robert decided to go and push his fortune, his only capital being a certificate of character from the minister, “He is fit for any situation where industry, honesty and sobriety, combined with a respectable education, are the requisite qualifications.” Next day he started for Gloucester, thence by coach to Bristol. He became initiated into the mysteries of “the pack” and travelled in Bristol, Bath, and the surrounding neighbourhood; but he did not get on very well with his employer, and after about six months’ service they agreed to part. Shortly afterwards he heard of a situation at Newbury, and once more he was on the coach, “The Star”, which ran between Bath and London, through Newbury. He at once entered the employ of a Mr. Dalrymple, with whom he put in a time of 3 ½ years, and to oblige his employer, he stayed six months longer, having to go on a vacant round and find out the customers the best way he could.

Mr. Bell experienced many vicissitudes. Those were the days of heavy loads and long journeys on foot 12 to 14 miles a day with a big pack, enough to load a donkey at starting, but it gradually got lighter, and the pocket got heavier. It is difficult, said Mr. Bell once, for men of the present day to realise what the work was 50 years ago on a country round. It was not at all unusual to be up at five on a Monday morning, breakfast, and off on the road long before daylight in the winter time. Now, eight or nine o’clock is considered early to commence business; and what with holidays and half-day closings every week, the manners and customs of the trade are entirely changed. Mr. Bell declared that he never had a holiday during the four years of his apprenticeship.

Mr. Bell started business on his own account sixty-eight years ago, and in recent years was assisted by his son, Mr. John McNay Bell. He and Mr. Walter Henry Bell, are the surviving sons.

Mr. Bell retired from active business several years ago. He had an inclination towards poetry, and frequently expressed himself in verses. Indeed, he once had the courage to address the magistrates in rhyme when appearing before them as a passive resister.

THE FUNERAL

The funeral took place yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon, the body being interred in the grave of the deceased wife in Newbury Cemetery. The Rev. J. W. Harford, Congregational pastor, officiated. The mourners were Mr. J. Mc. N. Bell, Mr. Walter H. Bell (sons), Mrs. J. Mc. N. Bell (daughter-in-law),  Mr. R. J. Bell,  Miss Dorothy Bell (grandchildren), Mr. Hy. Gore (nephew), Mr. J. Viner, Miss Richards (housekeeper). “There then follows a list of the many people who attended the funeral”. The coffin, of polished oak, was inscribed:

ROBERT BELL

Born March 4^th, 1826

Died January 30^th, 1915

The funeral arrangements were carried out by Messrs.  Penford and Son.

Newbury Weekly News 4 February 1915

Mrs. P. Code P (D) 7   Page 170

He died on 30 January 1915 aged 88 and buried on 3 February 1915.

Also  Mary Bell  wife of the above  who died 3 March 1906 aged 83 and buried on 7 March 1906