Biography of George William BARRATT
[Ref. P.520]
Profile
Sweet factory
Index for BARRATT
Biography of George William BARRATT
[Ref. P.520]
Sweet factory
Index for BARRATT
George William Barratt was born at his parents home at 9 Albert Place in Shepherdess Walk, Hoxton New Town, Middesex, on 30 August 1851.
The census of 1861 shows the family now living at both 9 and 10 in Albert Place, Shepherdess Walk in Hoxton, Middlesex where his parents had started their confectionery business. When the census was taken in 1871, the family were at 30 & 32 Shepherdess Walk. The confectionery business that his father had started was expanding and George now worked there.
On 28 December 1873, George married Lucy Cooper, daughter of George amd Susan Cooper. Daughter Lucy Marian was born the following year and Edith in 1876. Daughter Rose Florence was born in 1877 but died the same year. Son George Osborne was born in 1878.
In 1881, the census shows George and Lucy living with their two children at 30 & 32 Shepherdess Walk. Also at that address was George's brother Albert and sisters Maria and Harietta. The household comprised additionally shopwomen Sarah E Bacon, Emily Wright and Augusta Cill also general servant Annie Woodard. George's occupation was listed as Manager Confectionery. In September 1891, as reported in The Islington Gazette, Barratt & Co distributed prizes to employees for good conduct and good attendance. During the speeches, reference was made to the successful Aid and Protective Union which benefitted the employess, having replaced the failed Sick Fund.
Daughter Beatrice Ada was born in 1882 and Florence Margaret in 1885. Son Harold Osborne was born in 1887.
The 1891 census shows that the family had moved to Ashford House at 4 Priory Road, Hornsey, Middlesex. Daughters Beatrice and Florence and son Harold were at home and the household also included governess, Additionally there were servants Kate McConalchy, cook Harriett Kingston, parlourmaid Henrietta Burns and housemaid Fanny Hillerson.
In 1905, he together with his brother Frank and John William Esser, formed Esser-Barratt Repeating Arms Company Ltd with designs for a range of weapons. However, trials of the rifle were unsuccessful and the company abandoned all work in 1906.
George's father started to reduce his involvement in the business in his later years, eventually handing over to him and his brothers. George was head of operations and became chairman of the company in 1906, handing over to his brother Albert in 1912.
The whereabouts of George and Lucy have not been found in the 1901 census, however, they were still living at Ashford House with daughter Beatrice and son Harold at home. In the household also were housemaid Alice Othen, cook Sarah Wilson and her daughter parlourmaid Alice Wilson.
In 1911 it was Lucy that completed the census return at which time they were living at Heathside in Little Heath, Potters Bar, Hertfordsire. Living with her and George were their children Edith, Beatrice, Florence and Harold. The servants were parlourmaid Violet Murphy, housemaid Lizzie Ingle and cook Clara Clark.
It was the custom of Barratt & Co. to give every worker a Christmas present and Mr George personally presented about two thousand of these over the years. In December 1913, this took the form of an alarm clock.
By the time the census was taken in 1921, the family had moved to The Hollies, Well End in Shenley, Hertfordshire. The house comprised eleven rooms and daughters Edith, Beatrice, and Florence were still at home.
George passed away at home on 12 March 1928 and was buried the following day at Highgate Cemetery. Probate of his estate of £369,282 17s was granted in London on 15 June the same year. His wife Lucy survived him by three years and was buried with him at Highgate cemetery.