This could be one of the "good cousins at Carlisle" that in 1824 sent the portrait of John Barton the Elder to his son Bernard Barton the Quaker poet (1784-1849), as recorded in this letter. Later in 1846, a "far-away cousin in Carlisle" wrote to Bernard again, warning him of the condition of his grandfather's gravestone: "The writer then adds "Our burial-place is at St. Cuthbert's churchyard, in this city (Carlisle), where also are interred your grandfather and grandmother, but the stone is much fallen into decay.""


Mentions


From "City firm that missed out on the railway carriage boom" by Denis Perriam:

"Between Warwick Road and Mary Street, separating the Lonsdale Cinema and GPO, is Barton's Lane. Although this is named on each edition of the Ordnance Survey map, the lane has never carried a nameplate and perhaps it should. [N.B. On the map below it is labelled 'Barton's Place']




It takes its name from William Barton, who was born in 1785 and established, in 1820, a horse harness and coach manufactory in Carlisle. From 1826 he was in competition with Thomas Tweeddale but they went into partnership in 1831. Trading as Tweeddale and Barton, they had premises in Albert Square, just off Blackfriars Street, where Tesco's store is today.

Tweeddale had experience of making carriages in London and this expertise greatly helped the business, bringing new ideas of design to the area. They launched a London-style coach in 1833 and received orders from throughout the county. In 1836 they built their first omnibus for the Bush Hotel and later, in 1841, one was ordered for the route from Whitehaven to Ulverston.

On March 2, 1839, the Carlisle Journal was full of praise; "the carriage of the High Sheriff has been much admired during the week for the elegance of its appearance and the chasteness of its design... it was manufactured by Messrs Barton and Tweeddale of this city and reflects great credit upon their establishment."

In 1840 the firm moved to a yard behind The Crescent, previously occupied by William Gate. The address was 'No. 1 The Crescent', but as they expanded their premises extended to Cecil Street. Barton's Lane was laid over their land.






One of their interests was in supplying horses for mail coaches. In 1843 they contracted to change horses on the Edinburgh to London mail coach, between Carlisle and Penrith; this meant changing horses in Carlisle and at High Hesket. However, John Teather already had the contract and a battle ensued which was fully reported in the press.

On the first day of battle the Carlisle Journal stated that when the mail coach arrived at the Bush Hotel "the Bartonians having the popular voice and ready hands on their side, succeeded in preventing the Teatherites from unloosing the horses... and the coachman was directed to drive forward into Mr Barton's yard in the Crescent, where fresh horses having been put to, the coach was again brought out and placed in front of the Post Office to receive the mail bags, each horse held by two men to prevent the Teatherites from unloosing them... by this time there were at least 500 persons there and when the guard gave the words 'all right' the coach drove off amid loud cheers,"

Teather was not to be outdone and before the coach reached High Hesket he succeeded in stopping it, changing the horses for his own and ordering the driver not to stop on his way to Penrith. But Barton's men were waiting at the usual changing place and such was the crowd that gathered, the coach was forced to stop, enabling Barton's horses to be put on. After a week of similar scenes, not without injury, Teather relented."

...

"William Barton died in 1846, leaving the business in the hands of his wife Mary and his sons. Thomas Tweeddale decided to retire and his name was dropped, the firm becoming Robert Barton and Son. Later in the 19th century their works were taken over by James Fendley, who switched from cycle manufacture to motor coach building. A serious fire destroyed the buildings in 1930 and the site was used for the Lonsdale Cinema.

Had Tweeddale and Barton the foresight of the Carlisle Journal in 1844, they could have become a major railway carriage manufacturer: Carlisle was the right sort of railway centre for such a business.

A carriage delivered to the Stockton and Darlington Railway by Tweeddale and Barton in 1847, proudly bearing their maker's plate, is on display in the National Railway Museum at York. After 150 years of full service it is still as sound as when it was built."


Ring


In the Cumberland News, 28 November, 1997, p6, an article entitled "Ring tells William’s tale" by David Guide describes how a lady purchased "an antique gold ring studded with nine diamonds", engraved on the inside with the words "William Barton, aged 61, died in October 1846", and got in touch with Denis Perriam who was able to identify him as this man. The article continues:
"William Barton was a horse-harness and coach maker in what is now Barton's Lane, at the top end of Warwick Road, Carlisle. In a later partnership with Thomas Tweedale he operated from premises where Tesco's city centre store is today.
They had orders from all over the country and also built railway carriages. One is in the National Railway Museum, at York."


Will


A copy of the following will was kindly provided by Denis Perriam. It is a confusing document, especially when it mentions his natural daughter [a polite term for a child born out of wedlock] Isabella Boah, but shortly thereafter talks of "my said natural daughter Eliz. Boah", apparently referring to the same person by a different name! However it is not the original will itself but rather a copy entered into a probate book, and errors may thus have been introduced by the clerk:

"In the name of God amen, I William Barton of the City of Carlisle in the County of Cumberland Coach Master and Coach Builder being of sound and disposing mind and memory & understanding Do make publish and declare this for and as my last will and testament in manner and form following, that is to say I give and bequeath to my Son Robert Barton so soon as he shall attain the age of twenty one years all those my freehold and Copyhold Messuages Tenements Lands Hereditaments & premises with the appurtenances situate at Thomas Close in the parishes of Hutton and Shelton in the County of Cumberland and as at present farmed by Robert Taylor to my Sons Edward Barton Thomas Barton & William Barton and to my daughters Elizabeth Barton and Mary Barton I give and bequeath to my said Sons Edward Thomas & William and to my said Daughters Elizabeth and Mary the sum of five hundred pound each upon their attaining the age of twenty one years of age the said sum of two thousand and five hundred pounds. I charge upon both my personal and real estate. I also give and bequeath the sum of five hundred pounds to any posthumous Child or Children of which my Wife Mary now be enciente or which she bear within due time after my decease and I hereby charge the said sum of five hundred pounds with all my just debts funeral expenses &c upon my real & personal Estate. I also give and bequeath to my natural daughter Isabella Boak [possibly Boah?] the Income or Rents of my two Messuages Tenaments or shops and Dwelling Houses situate to London Road and North Corner of Union Street and now or late in the occupation of Mr Little, Mr Beetey [? First letter unclear], Mr R. Elliot and others beings two shares in the Carlisle Union Building Club for and during her natural life, such rents and propts to be collected & paid by my Trustee herein after named being for her sole use and benefit and not to be subject to any present or future Husband's debts or contracts whatever but if my said natural daughter Eliz. Boak shall marry and leaving any lawfull Issue I order and direct that the said Messuages & Dwelling houses be sold for the nest price and be equally divided amongst as many children as she has at the time of her decease but in case of her the said Eliz. Boak should die without leaving any lawful issue then I order and direct the said Messuages & dwelling houses to be sold and the proceeds to be equally divided amongst the whole my children then living or to their Issue. All the rest residue and remainder of my real and personal Estate of what nature kind or quality whatsoever or wheresoever situate I give and bequeath unto my dear Wife Mary Barton her heirs and assigns forever subject to the payments ordered in this paper. I also appoint my said Wife Mary Barton sole Executrix and Trustee to this my last Will and testament. In Witness whereof I the said William Barton the testator have to this my last Will and Testement have subscribed my name and seal this sixteenth day of March one thousand eight Hun.d and forty.

William Barton. Signed sealed published and declared by the said William Barton the Testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as Witnesses - Railton Athinson M.D. James Morrison. Effects under £8000 proved by Mary Barton the sole Executrix November 16 1846."


The mystery of Isabella Boah. Or Elizabeth Boag


The will above mentions William's illegitimate daughter Isabella/Elizabeth Boak. But this is a copy, not the original, and various errors may well have crept in.

Denis Perriam reports that after William's other descendants lost interest in the coach-building business, by 1895 it had become Boag's Crescent Carriage Co, run by one Alfred Boag - who later migrated to South Africa.

Might the will above have misrendered Boag as Boak? Might Alfred Boag actually be a relative of William's illegitimate daughter, thus keeping the business in the family after all? Denis himself is unconvinced by my suggestion. He notes that Boak is a common name in north Cumbria and that Isabella is not married in the will and would have had to have had an illegitimate child herself, or else marry a Boag, for the name to pass on to him (although I'd argue that Alfred could be related in other ways). He also thinks it unlikely that the clerk should have made an errors, although I would argue that the odd inconsistencies in this will suggest otherwise.


Children


Out of wedlock, mother unknown:
  1. Isabella or Elizabeth Boak (Boah? Boag? See Will and section above).

With Mary Irving (1804-1890):
  1. Elizabeth Barton (1822-1909)
  2. Robert Barton (1827-1828)
  3. Edward Barton (1828-1913)
  4. Robert Barton (1828-1917)
  5. Thomas Barton (1833-1893)
  6. William Barton (1834-1856)
  7. Mary Barton (1836-1837)
  8. Mary Barton (~1838-1852)


Grave


According to Denis Perriam, William is buried in Wigton churchyard, and shares the headstone of his parents:

"Sacred to the memory of Robert Barton of Wigton, who died Nov 24 1795 aged 48 years. Also Mary his wife, who died August 19 1821 aged 70 years"

The same stone also commemorates "William Barton of Carlisle, their son who died Octr 22 1846 aged 61 years" and names some of the children of William and Mary up to 1852.