JAMES HATTATT

DEATH OF MR. JAMES HATTATT

The death occurred early on Thursday morning of Mr. James Hattatt, of Marsh Cottage, after six days illness from influenza, followed by an attack of pleuro-pneumonia. The deceased had held the office of relieving officer to the 1st district in the Newbury Union for twenty-two years.

Mr. Hattatt was formerly in the Hampshire Constabulary, in which he had attained to the rank of sergeant. He retired into private life for a time at Penwood, and for a short time was landlord of the “Carnarvon Arms,” Whitway.

In 1866 he was appointed relieving officer of the Thatcham district, in succession to Mr. J.S. Bonner. In January 1873, following the late Mr. Goodyear, he was appointed relieving officer of the Newbury District, which post he held up to the time of his death. Mr. Hattatt discharged his duties in such an exemplary manner that has won for him the esteem of the poor people with whom he has been brought so much into contact, as well as the affection of his colleagues, and the respect of the Chairman and every member of the Board of Guardians. It was evident to those who knew him that his health had been breaking for the last twelve months, and during the frosty weather he sustained a fall, his head coming in violent contact with a wall.

The funeral took place on Tuesday morning in Newbury Cemetery, the interment being conducted by the Rev. C. Matthews, minister of the Presbyterian Chapel, at which the deceased was a regular worshipper.

The coffin was of elm, and inscribed:

JAMES HATTATT

Died April 4th 1895

Aged 76

The mourners were Mr. J.C. Hattatt, son, Messrs Robert Pryer. William Purver, George Purver and Thomas Stillman, nephews. And Mr. E. Leonard. The coffin was lowered into the grave by his colleagues.

Amongst those present were Mr. Stanley V. Pinniger, clerk to the Guardians, Mr. W. Church, (Sanitary Inspector), Mr. W. Hawkes, (Master of the Workhouse), Mr. W. Draper, (Relieving Officer for Thatcham), Mr. J.W. Westacott (Assistant clerk), Mr. Councillor Knight was present to represent the Masonic fraternity, of which Mr. Hattatt was an old member, and amongst personal friends gathered round the grave were Alderman Absalom, Mr. Edwell, Mr. R. M. Couper, Mr. James Stillman, and others.

The duties of the vacant office are being carried on by Mr. William Draper, until a successor is appointed.

We are sorry to learn that Mrs Hattatt is dangerously ill, though later accounts state she was somewhat better. We understand that Rev. C. Matthews will preach a funeral sermon at the Presbyterian Chapel on Sunday evening next.

Newbury Weekly News 11 April 1895

Born Over Wallop, Hants 1819

Married Harriette Colborn at Kingsclere in Jun Q 1851

Children: James Colburn Hattatt 1853

Emily Ann Hattatt 1857

Sources:Newbury Weekly News

THE LATE MR. HATTATT
A funeral sermon was preached by the Rev. C. Matthews at the Presbyterian Chapel, where Mr. Hattatt attended. Several of the deceased's colleagues and others were present, and the whole service was of an impressive character. The preacher took his text from Numbers, xxiii, 10 "Let me die the death of the righteous" and at the close said — Our friend, Mr. Hattatt, who died a few days ago, had worshipped God with us here about twenty years, and from what we have known of his life, we may feel sure that he died the death of the righteous, and also that for him to die was gain, whatever the loss may be to his friends. A conscientious and consistent believer in God our heavenly Father, and in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, he proved himself to be a son of God, because a good man and a real disciple of Jesus Christ. We were told by the Newbury Weekly News that holding as he did an important office, which made him acquainted with the poor and suffering, he "discharged his duties in such an exemplary manner that has won for him the esteem of the poor people with whom he has been brought so much into contact, as well as the affection of his colleagues and the respect of the chairman and every member of the Board of Guardians." If I had not read that, and had heard nothing like it from anyone, yet, from the principles, the faith, the life, and the sympathy for the poor of the late Mr. Hattatt, I could well have believed that he had gained the goodwill of those he had to relieve. Sympathy with the poor and the suffering is not one of the least proofs of his being a true Christian. I need not say that he felt a great interest in this place of worship and in the doctrines and practices taught here. Reading the scripture lessons in turn with two other friends for about ten years, he was not ashamed of the gospel that we believe, for he had found joy and peace by it. Indeed, it was the power of God unto salvation. We shall meet him again, see him not as we saw him for the last time on earth, in weakness, but in power, not with a natural body but with a spiritual. Such was the hope of the Christian writer, St Paul, for his friends, and such is our hope for ours. Be sure that-

"The longings for some higher good, The spirit's earnest cry, The strivings after better hopes-Shall never, never die."
Newbury Weekly News 18 April 1895