William Barnett was the sixth child of William Barnett & Ann Matthews born December 22nd, 1836 at Saunderton, Bucks.
In 1841 William (5) & his sister Caroline (10) were at a school in High Wycombe run by Elizabeth & Caroline Heath in the High St.
By 1861 William was working as a draper’s assistant in London. He was living in a large draper’s shop at Waterloo House, Cockspur Street, St Martin in the Fields, Westminster.
At the time of the 1871 census William was back home at Saunderton Grange with his recently widowed father & his sister Susan was still at home.
By 1881William’s father had died & William had become head of the household at Saunderton Grange & was now a farmer. Living with him was his sister Susan & a general servant & 2 farm servants.
William was still farming in at Saunderton Grange farm in 1891. His niece Eva May Barnett was living there as housekeeper. Eva May was in fact the daughter of William’s cousin Thomas Barnett [b.2.9.1].
William died on April 20th, 1893 at Saunderton Grange. Administration of his will was granted to brother Thomas Barnett & his effects were £551.1s. The Friday before his death William had been in good health when he attended the Wycombe market. A couple of days later he had a slight cold which became progressively worse & in a matter of days he died peacefully at the age of 56. It was noted in his obituary in the Bucks Herald of April 29th that William had been a guardian for the parish of Saunderton for 12 years, a church warden & served other parish offices. He was always ready to assist in anything for the good of his fellows & was always a bright & cheery figure.