VOL. III - CHAPTER 4

John Henry Barton & Caroline Wood

John Henry Barton was born on 4 March 1864 at Bodle Street, Warbleton (Reg Gen March Qtr 1864 Hailsham 2b 75) , son of James Barton and Orpah Barton, formerly Crowhurst (Chapter 3). His father was a huckster. 

In 1881 John Henry was still living with his parents in Bodle Street Green. He was 17 years old and working as a "grocers assistant".

On 3 May 1887 John Henry Barton married Caroline Wood at St John's Church, Bodle Street Green, after the reading of banns. Caroline Wood, a spinster aged 21 was the daughter of Richard Wood, labourer of Bodle Street Green. The witnesses were Harriet Wood (Caroline's sister) and Charles E S Pankhurst. (Reg Gen June Qtr 1887 Hailsham 2b 151).

Further details of the Wood family can be found at Appendix M

In 1889 through to 1893 and beyond, electoral registers show John Henry Barton at Rushlake Green, Warbleton by virtue of a dwelling house, in 1889 and 1890 in Bodle Street and Rushlake Green (successive), so presumably they moved around that time, as by 1891 it is just Rushlake Green. 

In the 1891 census John Henry and Caroline were living in Warbleton. John aged 27 was employed as a "grocers porter". Caroline's mother, Elizabeth Wood, a 68-year-old needlewoman is living with them. 

The couple had eight children:

  • Mary Jane Barton. Born 13 February 1888 in Warbleton.
  • John Barton. Born 28 May 1892 in Warbleton
  • Alice Barton. Born 1 January 1895 in Warbleton
  • James Richard Barton. Born 10 July 1897 in Warbleton
  • Fred Barton. Born 20 June 1900 in Warbleton
  • Albert Barton. Born 17 January 1903 in Warbleton
  • Arthur Barton. Born 5 August 1905 in Warbleton
  • Nellie Barton. Born 19 June 1907 in Warbleton

In 1901 the family are living in Warbleton. 36 year old John Henry is a stockman on a farm. Daughter Mary Jane, aged 13 is already a domestic servant. Elizabeth Wood, aged 77 is still living with them.

In 1911 John Henry and Caroline were living at Rushlake Green, Warbleton. 47 year old John Henry was a grocers warehouseman. He and Caroline had been married 25 years. Still at home was their sons James Richard, a 13 year old houseboy, Fred, aged 10, Albert, aged 8, Arthur, aged 5 and daughters Alice, aged 16 and Nellie aged 3. Also at the address was 49 year old Lucy Wood, a visitor who gives her occupation as housekeeper and who I take to be Caroline's sister.

In 1921 John Henry and Caroline were simply described as at "Rushlake Green". John Henry Barton was 56 years old, a grocers assistant employed by "H Daw", grocer of Warbleton. His wife, Caroline Barton, was on "household duties". Son, James Richard Barton, aged 23 was a builder's labourer for "Mitchell Brothers" at Vines Cross, son Fred Barton, aged 20, was a grocer's assistant at "Booker and Osborne", son Albert Barton, aged 18, was a farm labourer for "A Caffyn," Warbleton, son Arthur Barton, aged 15, was an under gardener for G Darby at Markley, Warbleton and daughter Nellie, aged 13 was a full-time scholar. Also listed in Gerald Stuart Acheson, aged 3, a nurse child. A nurse child is a young child being brought up in the household of someone other than the parents, normally for money, the closest modern-day equivalent may be fostering.   

In 19201922 and 1924 the electoral register shows John Henry Barton and Caroline Barton as living "near Horse and Groom", Warbleton. 

In 1932-1933 they are both listed at Cherry Tree Cottage, near the Horse and Groom. Cherry Tree Cottage is pictured below

John Henry Barton of Cherry Tree Cottage, Rushlake Green, Warbleton died on 8 May 1933 aged 68 (Reg Gen June Qtr 1933 Eastbourne 2b 102). Administration of his estate was granted to his widow Caroline. He was buried at Heathfield Independent chapel. 

The photograph below shows John Henry Barton with his son James Richard Barton and grandson John Dudley Barton.

In 1939 Caroline Barton was still living at Cherry Tree Cottage, Rushlake Green, with her daughter Nellie Barton, a domestic cook. It is noted that Nellie was in the "BRSC Civil Nursing Reserve". Her surname Barton is crossed out and Devenish written in its place although Nellie did not marry until 1945 (the 1939 register was used and updated by them until the early 1970's). Also listed is Harriett Wood, born 10 January 1846, a retired housekeeper.  Harriett was Caroline's older sister. 

Caroline Barton of Cherry Tree Cottage, Rushlake Green, Warbleton died on 10 January 1954 and is buried with her husband at Heathfield Independent Chapel. The inscription reads

"In loving memory of John Henry Barton who passed away 8 May 1933 aged 68 years. Also, of his wife Caroline Barton who died 10 January 1954 aged 88 years. Forever with the lord"

Administration of her estate was granted to John Barton, farm labourer. 

Our line continues through James Richard Barton. Click here to go to "Chapter 5 - James Richard Barton & Gracie Joan Ponting"

Click here to go to "Appendix M - Wood"

Click here to find out more about John Henry and Caroline Wood's other children at "Appendix N - The Children of John Henry Barton & Caroline Wood"

Click here to go back to "Chapter 3 - James Barton & Orpah Crowhurst"