George Barton of Jamaica and Portsea

By John D Ellis

George Barton was born in Jamaica c.1794-1800. Nothing is known of his origins. He enlisted in the Royal Navy sometime prior to 1814, and his service details (ship, years, rank), are augmented by threedecks.org:

• Ceylon (with Quebec and Namur also mentioned), 1814 to 1816, Ordinary. Deptford and Plymouth.
• Impregnable, 1816 to 1818, Landsman. Bombardment of Algiers (1816).
• Devonport, 1818 to 1821, Cook’s Mate.
• Alban, 1822, Cook’s Mate.
• Bulwark, 1822 to 1825, Cook’s Mate and Ordinary. Chatham and Portsmouth.
• Ferret, 1825 to 1830, Captain’s Cook and Gunroom Cook.
• Blonde, 1830, Cook.
• Windsor Castle, 1830, Seaman.
• Rifleman, 1830, Seaman.
• Tyne, 1830-1831, Captain’s Cook.
• Sapphire, 1831-1834, Gunroom Cook. (In 1831 George Barton was serving as ‘Gunroom Cook’ on HMS Sapphire).^[1]The National Archives (TNA) ADM 29/009. ADM 37/8396.

In 1834 he was awarded an out-pension by Greenwich Hospital.^[2]TNA ADM 29/009. ADM 37/8396. However, he continued to serve in the Royal Navy.

At St Mary’s, Portsea in September 1839, George Barton (widower and Cook in the RN) married Amelia Bowers (widow and resident of Frederick Street). Both marked the marriage certificate, suggesting that they were illiterate. George Barton identified his father as John Barton, a labourer. Amelia Bowers identified her father as Henry Wallis, a ship’s steward.^[3]Hampshire, Portsmouth Marriages 1838-1840. Portsmouth History Centre. CHU 3/1D/38. findmypast.co.uk George Barton’s first marriage has not been identified.

In 1841 George Barton was serving as an Able Seaman on HMS Victory. An allotment was being paid to Amelia Barton (wife) of 68 Frederick Street, Portsea. It was noted that George and Amelia had married at Kingston on the 3^rd of September 1838 (not 1839). George Barton marked his record. The allotment was paid at Portsmouth Dockyard.^[4]TNA ADM 27/76.

In November 1846, on HMS Victory at Portsmouth, George Barton registered as a merchant seaman. His records noted: He had been born in Jamaica, West Indies in 1794. He worked as a cook, was 5/7” tall, with black eyes, black hair and a black complexion. He had served 32 years in the Royal Navy, having first gone to sea as an Ordinary (Seaman) in 1813. He had never been in foreign service and when unemployed resided at Portsmouth.^[5]TNA BT 113/145.

The ‘Naval General Service Medal’ was retrospectively issued in 1847, however, George Barton did not claim the clasp Algiers.

A William John Barton (born 28^th August 1849) was baptised at Grouville, Jersey on the 9^th of December 1849. His parents were George and Amelia Barton.^[6]Jersey Baptisms 1540-1915. ©2017 – Jerripedia Birth, Marriage and Burial Records.findmypast.co.uk

In 1851 George Barton was residing at 3 Bartlett’s Buildings, Trinity, Portsea Town, Portsea Island, Hampshire.^[7]1851 England Census. 3 Bartlett’s Buildings, Trinity, Portsea Town, Portsea Island, Hampshire. GRO HO 107/1658. findmypast.co.uk He was 48 years of age, a Greenwich Out-Pensioner born in Jamaica, West Indies. Amelia Barton was 45 years of age, born in Jamaica, West Indies. (Both George and Amelia Barton shared the annotation “People of Colour”). Selina Elizabeth Barton (transcribed as ‘Selvinia’), was 10 years of age, born in Portsea, Hampshire. Emily (Jane) Barton was 7 years of age, born in Portsea, Hampshire. William Barton was 6 years of age, born in Portsea, Hampshire. George Barton was 1 year of age, born in Portsea, Hampshire.

There appears to have been an error in the 1851 entries for William and George Barton: Later records indicate that William (John) Barton was indeed born c.1849. Whilst George (Henry) Barton was born c.1843.

George Barton, a seaman aged 59 years of Pollard’s Court (Hillard’s Court was incorrectly noted), Portsea was buried at Kingston Cemetery (Portsmouth) on the 26^th of May 1859.^[8]Hampshire, Portsmouth Burials 1858-1861. Portsmouth History Centre. CHU 3/1E/36 and G/BBK4/1 Page 224. findmypast.co.uk

Postscript

Amelia Barton. In 1861 Amelia Barton was residing at 6 Pollard’s Court, Holy Trinity, Portsea Town, Portsea Island, Hampshire.^[9]1861 England Census. 6 Pollard’s Court, Holy Trinity, Portsea Town, Portsea Island, Hampshire. GRO RG 09/636/194/51/300. findmypast.co.uk She was a widow, 50 years of age, a charwoman born in Portsea. George Barton was 17 years of age, a general labourer born in Portsea. Emily Barton was 16 years of age, a domestic servant born in Portsea, Hampshire. William Barton was 11 years of age, born in Jersey. Visiting the family was Elizabeth Dandrea, a widow born in Portsea, with her four children.

At St Mary’s, Portsea in April 1865, Amelia Barton (widow) married Petty Officer Thomas Browne (widower) of HMS Shannon. Her children Emily and George Barton acted as witnesses to the marriage.^[10]Hampshire, Portsmouth Marriages 1864-1865. Portsmouth History Centre. CHU 3/1D/64. findmypast.co.uk

Selina Elizabeth Barton. Selina Elizabeth Barton died and was buried at St Mary’s, Portsea in October 1853.^[11]Hampshire, Portsmouth Burials 1853-1855. Portsmouth History Centre. CHU 3/1E/32. findmypast.co.uk

Emily Jane Barton. At St Mary’s, Portsea in February 1868, Emily Jane Barton (a spinster and the daughter of George Barton – Cook RN) married Stoker John Lancaster (bachelor) of HMS Victoria. An Elizabeth Barton acted as witnesses.^[12]Hampshire, Portsmouth Marriages 1867-1868. Portsmouth History Centre. CHU 3/1D/67. findmypast.co.uk John Lancaster later served on HMS Revenge.^[13]Hampshire Advertiser, 20 October 1869. findmypast.co.uk

The Portsmouth Times and Naval Gazette described Emily Lancaster (nee’ Barton) as a “coloured woman”.^[14]Portsmouth Times and Naval Gazette, 26 December 1868. findmypast.co.uk A female cousin, Emma Henry (the wife of a “coastguardman”) was also described as being “of colour”.^[15]Portsmouth Times and Naval Gazette, 15 May 1869. findmypast.co.uk This confirms the annotation in 1851 which stated that both George and Amelia Barton were “People of Colour”, although it does not clarify whether Emily and Emma were cousins via George or Amelia.

George Henry Barton. At St Mary’s, Portsea in July 1866, George Henry Barton (bachelor and a steward on HMS Algiers) married Elizabeth Pile (spinster).^[16]Hampshire, Portsmouth Marriages, 1865-1866. Portsmouth History Centre. CHU 3/1D/65. findmypast.co.uk

George’s Henry Barton’s father was identified as George Barton, “Cook RN”. Elizabeth’s father was identified as August John Pile, a “Labourer in a Dock Yard”. Emily Jane Barton was one of the two witnesses to the wedding.

In 1868, George Barton was employed as a ‘Boy’ on a merchant vessel named ‘Isabella’.^[17]England & Wales Merchant Navy Crew Lists 1861-1913. findmypast.co.uk

George Henry Barton died in January 1869 and was buried at St Mary’s, Portsea.^[18]Hampshire, Portsmouth Burials, 1865-1869. Portsmouth History Centre. CHU 3/1E/38. findmypast.co.uk

William John Barton. William Barton also went to sea: In 1869 he was serving as an Ordinary Seaman on the Star of Hope out of Portsmouth.^[19]England & Wales Merchant Navy Crew Lists 1861-1913. findmypast.co.uk He had previously served as an Ordinary Seaman on the Louisa out of Shoreham. The Elston/Barton Family Tree (Graham Elston) on ancestry.co.uk reveals that William Barton later moved to Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire.^[20]Elston/Barton Family Tree (Graham Elston) ancestry.co.uk He was a labourer by occupation, married and fathered several children. He is believed to have died at Lincoln in 1928.