Died
19 November 1915
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Jennie Barr (7255)
Another magnificent monument, testament to the skill of Fairbairn and/or Hull, the monumental masons.
IN LOVING MEMORY OF
JENNIE
THE BELOVED WIFE OF
JOHN BARR,
BORN 22ND OCTOBER 1858,
DIED 19TH NOVEMBER 1915.
To which has been added:
ALSO THE ABOVE
JOHN BARR, C.B.E,
BORN 26TH MARCH 1859,
DIED 10TH DECEMBER 1940.
On the right hand side it reads:
ALSO OF
RICHARD ROBERTS
(RICHIE)
THEIR BELOVED SON
BORN 26TH MARCH 1889,
DIED 13TH JUNE 1893.
The tablet at the front of the grave reads:
IN LOVING MEMORY OF
OSBORNE WILLIAM MORGAN (BOB)
THE BELOVED HUSBAND OF
LAURA N. H. MORGAN
BORN 3RD AUGUST 1880,
DIED 1ST NOVEMBER 1928.
AND OF LAURA NETTIE HANNAH MORGAN
WHO DIED 2ND FEBRUARY 1969
The child on the gravestone is named after his uncle, Jennie Barr’s brother.
The Barrow News 27 November 1915 carried a report of her death, with the convention of using her husband’s name, not her’s:
THE LATE MRS. JOHN BARR
IMPRESSIVE FUNERAL AT BARROW
The remains of the late Mrs. John Barr, wife of Mr. John Barr, chief accountant of Vickers, Ltd., Barrow, whose lamented death took place at “Argrennan”, Abbey-road, on Friday last week, were interred in the Barrow Cemetery on Monday amid every manifestation of sincere regret and sympathy. The deceased lady was 57 years of age, and a daughter of the late Mr. W. Roberts, of Kirkby, who for many years was manager of the Burlington Steelworks. At the funeral there was a large attendance of mourners, evidence of the popularity of the late Mrs. Barr, who had a kindly and charming nature. The officiating clergymen were the Revs. W. D. Gunstone, assisted by the Revs. T. P. Bullen and W. R. A. Budd. The chief mourners were Mr. John Barr (husband), son and daughter, and son-in-law and daughter-in-law. The bearers were Messrs. T. W. Bowker, G. J. Brown, A. C. Gill, J. T. Hulme, T. Mossop, and W. Wilson.
The floral tributes were numerous and exquisite, these coming from the husband, Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Barr (son and daughter-in-law), Mr. and Mrs. O. W. Morgan (daughter and son-in-law), Mr. G. Barr and Miss Barr (father-in-law and sister-in-law), grandchildren, Mr. and Mrs. T. P. Ashton, Mr. and Mrs. T. P Artis, Mr. and Miss Artis, Mr. and Mrs. Bannister and family, Mrs. Balfour, Mr. and Mrs. D. Brown, Mr. and Mrs. J. Brown, and many others, including, Mr. and Mrs. A. Noble, Commercial Staff of Messrs. Vickers, Ltd., … Mrs. McDowell and family, Mr. A. B. McDowell, Mr. and Mrs. W. McDowell, Mr. and Mrs. T. Fender, Foremen’s Mutual Benefit Society, .. Mr. and Mrs. Goudielock and family, … Mr. and Mrs. Hawcridge, … Directors of the Barrow Ice and Cold Storage Company, … Mr. and Mrs. H. Milner, Misses Milner, Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Pass, Mr. and Mrs. R. Pass, Rate-fixing Office (Messrs. Vickers, Ltd., … Dr. and Mrs. Sinclair, .. Directors of Vickers, Ltd., Office Staff and Foremen, H.M.S. Valiant, …
Universal sympathy has been expressed with Mr. John Barr and family in their sad affliction.
Several of the names above appear in their own pages on this website.
1861 Census
While she was born in Wales, the family cannot have long moved to Kirkby by the time of the 1861 Census. Living at Crowhill, Kirkby Ireleth were William Roberts (39) Agent at Slate Quarry, born Llanllyfni, Carnarvon; Laura Roberts (37) Wife, born Llanllyfni, Carnarvon; Richard Roberts (8) Scholar, born Festiniog (sic), Merioneth; Ellin (sic) Roberts (11) Scholar, Llanllyfni, Carnarvon; Jane Roberts (2) Llanllyfni, Carnarvon; Jane Williams (26) Shopkeeper’s Daughter, born Llanllyfni, Carnarvon; and Elizabeth Johnson (21) Domestic Servant, born Kirkby Ireleth.
1871 Census
The 1871 Census has the Roberts family living at Burlington Cottages, Kirkby Ireleth. Head of the household is William Roberts (49) Slate Agent, born Llanllyfini, Carnarvon (sic); Laura Roberts (47) Wife, born Pwllheli, Carnarvon; Richard W. Roberts (18) Chemist and Druggist (Apprentice), Festiniog (sic), Merioneth; Ellen J. Roberts (21) no occupation recorded, born Llanllyfini, Carnarvon; Jane E. Roberts (12) Scholar, born Llanllyfini, Carnarvon (sic).
At some point Jane E. Roberts was transformed into Jennie Roberts – “Jane E” being spoken as Jennie. Or possibly the Census enumerators got it wrong in the first place.
Jennie Eliza Roberts married John Barr in Grange on 25 March 1881.
1881 Census
In the 1881 Census Mr. and Mrs. Barr were staying as Visitors at 29 Manchester Street, Barrow. The Head of the household is William M. Bradley (25) Timekeeper, born Dalton, Lancs; his wife is Mary J. Bradley (25), born West Bromwich, Staffords; and the visitors are John Barr (22) Mercantile Clerk, born Kirkby, Lancs; and Jennie E. Barr (22) born Llanlefinie?, Carnarvon, (sic - possibly Llanllyfni).
1891 Census
By the 1891 Census the Barrs were living at Parkfield, East Broughton, Lancs. This is now Field Broughton, near Cartmel. They are living in a lodging house owned and/or run by Jennie’s brother Richard W. Roberts (38) Lodging House Keeper, born Kirkby Ireleth; and also staying are John Barr (32) Brother-in-law, Cashier, Shipyard, born Kirkby Ireleth; Jennie E. Barr (32) Sister, born Wales; Laura N. H. Barr (7) Neice (sic), Scholar, born Barrow-in-Furness; Richard R. Barr (3) Nephew, born Barrow; Joseph A. Philipson (50) Solicitor, born Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland is a Visitor with his wife and three children, aged 5, 3 and 11 months; along with two nurses (Domestic) who are listed as Visitors, and Harriet Hosking (20) Housemaid, born Penzance, Cornwall.
1901 Census
The 1901 Census sees the Barr family at 50 Mount Pleasant, Barrow, and the household contains John Barr (42) Cashier, Shipyard, born Kirkby Ireleth, Lancs; Jennie E. Barr (42) born Llanllyfni, Carnarvon; George W. Barr (19) Apprentice Ship draughtsman, born Barrow-in-Furness; Laura N. H. Barr (17) no occupation recorded, born Barrow-in-Furness; Richard W. Roberts (48) Brother-in-Law, Clerk, Shipyard, born Festiniog, Merioneth; Agnes A. Barr (34) Sister, no occupation recorded, born Kirkby Ireleth; and Mary Jewkes (28) General Servant Domestic, born Dudley, Worcs.
1911 Census
At the time of the 1911 Census, John Barr must have been elsewhere, because the occupants of 231 Abbey Road, Barrow, are Jennie E Barr (52) Married, no occupation recorded, born Llanllyfni, Carnarvon; Laura N. H. Barr (27) Single, no occupation recorded, born Barrow; R. (looks like M) W. Roberts (58) Single, Clerk, Shipyard, born Festiniog, Merionethshire; and E. E. Deason (25) General Servant Domestic, born Stainton, Lancs.
If you are interested in some of the problems of family research, read on; if not, omit this shaded background block.
1861 Census
Looking at John Barr’s origins, in the 1861 Census living at Beckside, Kirkby Ireleth are Casson Barr (32) Shoe Maker, born Kirkby Ireleth – as are all members of the household; Susannah Barr (32) Wife; George Barr (4) Scholar; John Barr (3) Scholar; Jane Barr (1), and George Robinson (18) Shoe Maker (Apprentice).
1871 Census
Ten years later in the 1871 Census they are still at Beckside, though the family has grown. It contains Casson Barr (42) Shoemaker, born Kirkby Ireleth, as were all the following unless indicated otherwise; Susanna (sic) Barr (42); George Barr (14) Shoemaker (Apprentice); John Barr (13) Scholar; Jane Barr (11) Scholar: Elizabeth Barr (9) Scholar; Mary Ann Barr (8); Isabella Barr (5); Eleanor Barr (1) and Betty Barr (79) Mother, born Ulverston, Blind.
1881 Census
In the 1881 Census they have moved to Wallend, Kirkby, and the household has shrunk. It now contains Casson Barr (52) Shoemaker (Master), born (as everyone following) Kirkby Ireleth; Susannah Barr (52); George Barr (24) Shoemaker (Journeyman); John Barr (23) Agricultural Labourer; Elizabeth Barr (19) General Servant (Domestic)/ Unemployed; Eleanor Barr (11) Scholar.
There is a puzzle here: John Barr is listed above as unmarried, but earlier it states that he got married on 25 March 1881. The Census took place on 3 April 1881. This is because it’s the wrong John Barr, who eventually became a Market Gardener, and died in Kirkby in 1930.
Looking at John Barr’s origins is complicated: there are four or more John Barrs born in Kirkby Ireleth at about the right time, one of whom is the son of Casson Barr, Shoemaker, and another the son of George Barr.
1861 Census
This second John Barr appears in the 1861 Census living at Brow Foot, Kirkby Ireleth, in a household comprising George Barr (36) Slate Quarrier, born Kirkby Ireleth (as were all the following); Hannah Barr (33); Jonathan Tyson (9) Stepson, Scholar, and John Barr (2). This second could be Jennie’s husband. One of the John Barrs remained a Quarryman.
OR is he the third young John Barr, living at Sandside, Kirkby Ireleth in the 1861 Census? This John Barr lives in a household with Jane Atkinson (46) Stone Sawer (sic) wife, who like the whole household was born in Kirkby Ireleth; Stephen Atkinson (19) Slate Quarrier; Jane Atkinson (15) Scholar; Joseph Atkinson (9) Scholar; and John Barr (3) Boarder. He was presumably a relative too.
1871 Census
This John Barr is still at the same place, with the same family, in the 1871 Census. The household is Joseph Atkinson (63?) Quarryman, born Crook, Westmorland; Jane Atkinson (56) born Kirkby Ireleth (as were the rest of the household); Edward Atkinson (34) Single, Quarryman; Stephen Atkinson (28) Single, Minder; Joseph Atkinson (19) Quarryman; John Barr (12) Quarry Boy.
A fourth John Barr in the right age range is contained in the following 1871 Census entry for Bankend, Kirkby Ireleth. Head of the household is William Postlethwaite (67) Famer and Landowner of 100 acres, born Kirkby Ireleth; Sarah Postlethwaite (71) Farmer’s Wife, born Egton-cum-Newland, Lancs; Thomas Postlethwaite (36) Farmer’s Son, born Kirkby Ireleth; Sarah Postlethwaite (31) Farmer’s Daughter, born Kirkby Ireleth; James Hoggarth (18) Farm Servant, born Cartmel; and John Barr (11) Farm Servant, born Kirkby Ireleth. Living next door, or at least, the next entry in the Census, is James Postlethwaite (40) Relieving Officer and Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages, with his wife and three children.
There is even a fifth John Barr, aged ten in the 1871 Census for Beckside, Kirkby Ireleth, son of Nelson Barr, Slate Quarryman, but he was born in Ulverston, so I’ve discounted him.
There are other John Barrs locally, e.g. one born at Roanhead, but I decided that trying to identify the right one is the way madness lies.
Somewhere between 1871 and 1881 the “right” John Barr became a cashier and then an accountant, educated and numerate.
1939 Register
This John Barr, in the 1939 Register, compiled to see who was eligible for call-up and for Ration Books, was living at 10, The Avenue, Beckenham, Kent. Head is John & Jennie Barr’s daughter, Laura N. H. Morgan (DoB 8 December 1883) Widow, Unpaid Domestic Duties; John Barr (her father) (DoB 26 March 1859) Widower, Shipbuilder Retired; and Jennie E. Morgan (DoB 4 March 1916) Single, Registered Hairdresser and Beauty Consultant, and A.R.P. Ambulance Driver, Beckenham Borough Council, full time or team; Bellah? Morgan (crossed out Hague) (DoB 20 September 1919, Shorthand Typist; Elizabeth McGarry (crossed out Topping) (DoB 5 August 1905), Housekeeper; and John O. Morgan (DoB 1 April 1911?) Single, Chartered Accountant, Auxiliary Fireman N133, part-time, Beckenham A.F.S.
The National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations) 1941 has:
BARR John of 10 The Avenue Beckenham Kent died 10 December 1940 Probate Llandudno 1 May to George William Barr shipbuilder and John Rowland Hanning solicitor. Effects £26062 11s 4d.
Postscript
The George William Barr mentioned in the 1901 Census and again above became Sir George Barr. In the 1911 Census George, Annie and John Field Barr were living at 25 Victoria Avenue, Barrow. He had been baptised in Dalton-in-Furness on 18 December 1881. I haven’t been able to find him in the 1891 Census. In 1915 there appears on the ship’s manifest for SS Philadelphia (American Line), arriving at Liverpool from New York on January 24 Geo. William Barr (33) Engineer, Mrs Annie Barr (32) Wife, and John Barr (5½) Child. Their last country of permanent residence is listed as Australia, but their address is given as 231 Abbey Road, Barrow-in-Furness. Another record from 1950 has a George W. Barr (69) and wife Annie Barr (68) arriving on the RMS Mauretania (Cunard) at Southampton (from New York) on 4 November. Their address is given as Strathgryffe, Bridge of Weir, Renfrewshire, Scotland, and they travelled First Class.
The National Probate Calendar (etc) for 1956 has him dying 5 August 1956 at Woodlea, Grange-over-Sands, and leaving his effects to Annie Barr, widow, John Field Barr, shipbuilder, and George Richard Barr, engineer.
News article from The Liverpool Echo 19 December 1963
News article from The Scotsman 8 August 1956
No-one is certain why Edward Sankey took photographs of graves in the period 1910-192 or later. Were they advertising the skills of his friend William Hull, or later Hull and Fairbairn? Were they to be made into postcards that the bereaved family could send to members who were not able to attend the funeral?
The historic photograph is from the Sankey Family Photographic Collection, courtesy of Cumbria Archives.
