Charles Barnett [b.2.9.2]

Charles Barnett was the second child of Joseph Barnett and Hannah Olivia Watts (nee Allingham), born in Remenham, Berkshire c1835 and although baptised there his baptism was not recorded at the time. A note appears in the parish register to that effect.

In 1841 Charles was living at home at Common Barn Farm, Remenham.

In 1851 Charles was a 15 year old pupil at Chatham House School, Ramsgate, Kent.

Charles married Augusta Smith on October 13th, 1856 in Mapledurham, Oxon. Augusta Smith was the daughter of Stephen Smith and Louisa Walker born 1832 at Bradfield, Berks. Her father Stephen Smith was a miller living at Mapledurham Mill in 1851, presumably where Augusta learned her milling skill.

Charles was a miller at Mill End, Hambleden, Bucks. He & Augusta had 2 sons born in 1859 & 1860, the second of which was born after his father’s death.

Charles died aged 24 on January 2nd, 1860 at Mill End, Hambleden, cause of death unknown. He was buried at Remenham on January 9th, 1860. Administration of his estate was granted to his widow, Augusta. His effects were listed in the probate index as being under £6,000.

Augusta continued to run the Mill End mill. The 1861 census records her as a 27 year old widow with her 2 young sons, and her occupation was a miller employing 10 men. Helping at the mill were her sister Jane (20) & brother Stephen Smith (16) who was a miller's clerk.

In 1871 she was still running Mill End mill & employing 7 men. Her mother, Louisa Smith, a 64 year old widow was visiting her at the time of the census. Only son Augustus was recorded at home. In 1873 Augusta took her brother Stephen into partnership which lasted until 1885 when Stephen Smith took over the Marlow Mill. Stephen died in a tragic accident when his shotgun discharged accidentally in 1896.

Hambleden Mill - 2005

By 1881 Augusta had taken in the orphaned children of her younger sister Jane. Jane had died in 1878, and Jane's husband, John Rixon, died in 1879. The 47 year old widowed Augusta was still working the Mill End mill. Her occupation was given as (corn) miller employing 5 men. Her household consisted of her son Augustus, 7 Rixon nieces and nephews: Laura J (16), Edith L (14), Alice G (12), John W (9), Cataleen F (7), Ethel B (4) and Jane (3) who were all born at Turville Heath, Bucks; and nephew Charles E Smith (13) born at Tidmarsh, Berks. There were also several domestic servants/nursemaids.

The Berkshire Chronicle of December 29th, 1883 reported that Mr Barnett & Mr Smith (Augusta’s brother) of the Mills had ‘distributed amongst the poor more than 300lbs weight of prime beef & mutton & a large number of rabbits’.

By the time of the 1891 census, most of the nieces and nephews had moved on with only 13 year old Jane Rixon still listed as part of the household. Son Charles had now returned home & both he & his mother were listed as millers.

The 1901 census listed Augusta's abode as the Flour Mill, Mill House, Hambleden, Bucks. The 68 year old widow was no longer listed as a miller but living on her own means. Son Charles was a flour miller, & both he & his mother were listed as employers. Jane Rixon was still part of the household & Augusta's granddaughter Norah aged 5 was visiting, daughter of Augustus Parker Barnett.

In 1911 Augusta was still listed at Hambleden Mill, Mill End & described as a flour miller, employer. Son Charles & grandson Geoffrey Butler Barnett, son of Augustus Parker, were also listed as millers & employers. Also with them was niece, Ethel Barnett Rixon (33), who was described as a ‘lady'. They had a nurse, cook & a housemaid.

Augusta died at Hambleden Mill on January 11, 1912, aged 79. She was buried at Hambleden. She was still living at Mill End, Hambleden, at the time of her death. Augusta was in poor health just prior to Christmas but seemed to rally, but congestion of the lungs set in & she passed away, She was of a gentle & endearing disposition & loved by all. (South Bucks Standard, January 18th, 1912).

Administration of her estate was granted in London on January 30th, 1913 to her son Augustus Parker Barnett, miller. Augusta was listed as a widow of Mill End Hambleden, Bucks with effects worth £2193 19s 4d.

The children of Charles Barnett and Augusta Smith were:

b.2.9.2.1 Charles James Barnett born Jan-March1859 at Hambleden & christened May 15th, 1859 at Remenham; died February 2nd, 1916 at Hambleden

b.2.9.2.2 Augustus Parker Barnett born June 17th, 1860 at Hambleden; died February 3, 1930 at Hambleden