JOHN SHAW
Old John Shaw, the workhouse centenarian, did not live to see the new year. When I saw him on Christmas Day death was plainly written upon his features, although he smoked his pipe as vigorously as his enfeebled system would admit, and had eaten his dinner with relish. I understand that on the evening before his death his great desire was to obtain some tobacco. John was sensible to the last, and died on Friday from sheer exhaustion of nature.
He was a native of Melksham, and was one of the almost extinct race of bargemen. His life could not have been a very happy one. His wife was injured by a cow at the Newbury Cattle Show held in 1846, and being admitted to the workhouse, died there on the 8th of January, 1847, at the age of 38.
But perhaps the most melancholy event in his long life was the untimely death of his daughter, who was cruelly murdered at Shaw some 27 years ago by a butcher named Martin, who afterwards committed suicide.
Shaw entered the workhouse after he was eighty, and, thanks to the regularity, care, and routine of that abode, another twenty years have been added to his life. He would have been 104 had he lived till July next, and from inquiries made by the master of the workhouse, the age seems to be correct.
Shaw was buried on Monday in the Cemetery, the principal mourner being his eldest daughter, aged 64. It says something for the healthy situation and treatment received at the house, that during Mr. Hawkes' mastership there have been three centenarian inmates.
Newbury Weekly News and General Advertiser - Thursday 04 January 1894 |