BENSON FLETCHER FREEMAN

THE LATE MR. B.F.FREEMAN

A PUBLIC OFFICIAL

          The death occurred on Thursday at his residence in Donnington-square, of Mr. Benson Fletcher Freeman, after a long and severe illness. The deceased had been a well-known figure in the official life of the town for many years, having held the post of assistant overseer and collector of the Poor Rate for forty-six years. As a youth he acted as clerk to the late Mr. George Barnes, Actuary of Newbury Savings Bank, with which institution he continued identified during the greater part of his life. Of the public offices held by him were those of Collector of Taxes for the borough, Assistant Overseer and Clerk to Greenham Parish Council, and for many years collector for Newbury Water Company. When he resigned the latter post some short time since, the Water Company signalled their appreciation of his services by granting him a pension.

           Mr. Benson Freeman was an accountant of considerable ability, and he was connected with many of the larger business establishments in this capacity. In political matters he was a progressive, and had always evinced keen interest in the Newbury Liberal Club, being in fact one of the founders of the Northbrook-street institution, and had been honorary auditor of the club since that time.

          By religious persuasion a Methodist, the Wesleyan body of the town have cause to be grateful for the services rendered by deceased and his family. For many years he was a Sunday School teacher and class leader, while the services of Mr Benson Freeman and his family in musical matters connected with the church had been n outstanding feature for many years. A man of invariably genial and kindly disposition, he made many friends and will be missed by a wide circle.

THE FUNERAL

          The funeral took place at the Newtown-road Cemetery on Monday afternoon, in the presence of a large number of personal friends, many of whom had been associated with him in his official and business life. The service was of a simple character and was sympathetically conducted by the Rev. T. Martin, Wesleyan Minister.

          The mourners were Mrs Benson F. Freeman (widow), Rev. Andrew and Mrs. Freeman, son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Penney (daughter and son-in-law), Mrs. Bennett (daughter), Mr. and Mrs. Dolton (daughter and son-in-law),Mr, and Mrs. T.G.Freeman of Hungerford (brother and sister-in-law) and Mr. Edward Cave (nephew).

          Amongst those present were Mr. John Barnes, Kingsclere (late actuary of Newbury Savings Bank), Messrs J. H. Hopson and G. Griffin (representing Overseers of Newbury), Mr. Edward Somerset (representing Newbury Brewery Co.), Messrs J.C.Slight, W.W. Bowring, H. Hill, J.B.Webb (representing Newbury Liberal Club), BR. J.R. Witt B.P.G.M (representing the “Jack” Lodge of Odd Fellows), Messrs B. Met calf, Pettifogger, John Freeman, Herbert, H. Prate, Elliott, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Dalton, Mrs Charles Webb, Misses Webb, Miss Mason, Miss Idler,

and others.

Newbury Weekly News 7 September 1916

BMD Records

Birth

Benson Fletcher Freeman MarQ 1845 Newbury 6 225 ( or 6 27_)

Death

Benson F. Freeman Sept Q 1916 Newbury 2c 310

 note: Benson  Fletcher had a son of the same name and a naval officer, who died in a motoring accident in Southampton on 31 August 1927. He is not buried in NRC