GEORGE BARNES

DEATH OF MR. GEORGE BARNES – We sincerely regret to record the death of Mr. Barnes, which took place on Monday last, in the 80^th year of his age. Mr. Barnes was a native of Newbury, his father being a partner in the banking firm of Vincent, Tanner, Barnes and Hancock (predecessors o Messrs. Bunny, Slocock and Co.), then the only bank in town. The deceased gentleman will be principally remembered as district auditor to the Poor Law District of Berks and Hants, which office he held for nearly 40 years until his retirement in 1876. For 37 years he was borough auditor, having sustained the appointment from 1836 to 1873, when he retired through declining health. He was also actuary of the Newbury Savings’ Bank, which post he filled for 56 years until his death. As one of the founders of the Literary and Scientific Institution he maintained an official connection with the Society as one of its Vice-Presidents till his death. He was trustee to several charities, - Kimber’s, Cowslade’s, Coxedd and Pearce’s, Robinson and Crosse’s. Taking an interest in archaeological researches, he naturally became one of the original members of the Newbury and District Field Club, with which he was identified to the end. He was ready to serve the town in which he lived so long and liked so much, in any way he could, but the official life he led, in addition to a natural disinclination for party politics, kept him aloof from municipal and parliamentary contests. The book of poems, entitled “Family Fugitives”, which was published some four years ago, though written with no view to publication, showed he possessed true poetic sentiment, and a cultivated taste. Mr. Barnes at all times was a generous supporter of local institutions and a liberal contributor to charitable appeals. Throughout a lengthened life he has maintained a high character which has commanded from all who knew him the greatest respect. He was of a remarkably equable temperament, and was unremitting in his attention to business and exact in what he regarded to be his duty. He lived an active honoured life, and will be sincerely mourned in death by many outside his family connections. The funeral is fixed to take place on Saturday next at one o’clock at the Cemetery.

Newbury Weekly News 10 May 1883

GEORGE BARNES 

THE LATE MR. G. BARNES – The funeral of the deceased gentleman took place on Saturday in Newbury Cemetery, but was of a strictly private character and confined to the mourners, the immediate relatives and personal friends. The Rector of Newbury and the Vicar of St. John’s officiated, and a muffled peal was rung on the bells of the Parish Church. Mr. Barnes was buried in the family vault, this making the fourth interment therein.

Newbury weekly News 17 May 1883

GEORGE BARNES

DEATH OF MR. GEORGE BARNES -  Our obituary records the death at the advanced age of 80 years, of one of the most respected inhabitants of Newbury – Mr. George Barnes, who for 56 years held the post of actuary of the Newbury Savings’ Bank. The deceased gentleman was a native of Newbury (his father being a partner in the banking firm of Vincent, Tanner, Barnes, and Hancock), and he filled the post of Poor-law auditor for the district of Berks and Hants for nearly 40 years. He occupied many local honorary offices, and was trustee to Kimber’s, Cowslade’s, Coxedd and Pearce’s, and Robinson and Crosse’s charities. His strict integrity of character gained for him great respect. He never concerned himself in party politics, but was very assiduous in business, and his decease is a cause of great regret to a wide circle of relatives and friends.

Reading Mercury 12 May 1883

GEORGE BARNES

BARNES – On the 7^th inst., at Newbury, Berks, George Barnes, late District Auditor of the Berks and Hants Audit District, aged 79.

Reading Mercury 12 May 1883

He died on 7 May 1883 aged 79 and buried in the family vault on 12 May 1883.

The gravestone inscription includes his wife Harriet Barnes, nee Mecey, (1804-1883); their daughters Elizabeth Lane Barnes (1855-1870) and Adela Comyn Barnes (1848-1943), and son William Edgar Grose Barnes (1837-1910)

Mrs. P. Code NE43  page 31

NB   THe newspaper obit. refers the George's as being the fourth interment!!!   We can only account for 3  by 1883!!!