Edward Bonnycastle Archibald Barnett1

#3899, (1868 - 1924)
FatherEdward William Barnett1 (1835 - 1895)
MotherEmily Bonnycastle2 (1841 - 1901)
RelationshipGreat-grandson of John Bonnycastle
Pedigree

Family

Marie Louise Azelina Clementine Prima-Bonifacia ( - 1949)
Children
  • Ferdinand Prima Bonifacio Barnett4 (1907 - 1972)
  • Richard Bonnycastle Guy Barnett4 (1909 - 1943)
  • Charles Adrian Barnett4 (1910 - a 1945)

Life Events

BirthEdward Bonnycastle Archibald Barnett was born in Oct 1868 in Mudia, India.1,2
 
EducationHe was educated in Haileybury, which opened in 1862 on the site in rural Hertfordshire which was previously occupied by the East India Company College.1,3 
EducationHe was admitted on 29 Sep 1888 in Emmanuel College, Cambridge University, England. The entry in Alumni Cantabrigienses reads: Adm pens at Emmanuel. Son of E.W., Esq, of 11 St Petersburg Place, Kensington Gardens, London [B Oct 1868. School, Haileybury] Matric Michs 1888; B.A. 1891; M.A. 1897 (Haileybury Sch Reg.)1 
Residence Between 1895 and 1896, Edward Bonnycastle Archibald Barnett lived in South America posted on a construction project.4 
Residence In 1896, Edward Bonnycastle Archibald Barnett lived in Spain while posted on construction project.4 
Residence Between 1898 and 1899, Edward Bonnycastle Archibald Barnett lived in India while posted on construction project; visited his sister there.4 
1901 CensusArchibald Barnett and his mother Emily appeared on the 1901 Census of Paddington, London, at 89 Hereford Rd, enumerated 31 Mar 1901. Emily was a widow, age 56, living on her own means, and born in Greenwich. Archibald was 32, single, a Civil Engineer, and was born in Mudia, India.2 
(Admon) ProbateEdward Bonnycastle Archibald Barnett, esquire, was granted administration of his mother Emily's estate on 29 Nov 1901 in London.5 
MarriageHe married Marie Louise Azelina Clementine Prima-Bonifacia.4
 
Note.They had 5 children.6 
1911 Census The family was not found in the Channel Islands in the 1911 census. 
Residence Edward Bonnycastle Archibald Barnett lived in 4 Queen's Road, St Peter Port, Guernsey.4 
DeathEdward died on 8 Apr 1924 in Greve d'Azette, Jersey.4,7
 
Newspaper Published 16 Jun 1924 in the Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW, Australia).

Father Commits Suicide for the Sake of his Sons
A verdict of suicide was returned by the Jersey coroner's jury at an inquest on a visitor named Edward Bonnycastle Archibald Barrett [sic], a native of Madras, who was found dead on the beach with an empty phial which had contained poison beside him (states the "Daily Mail," London). Several letters were found on the body, including one to the police, in which Barrett said the war had dealt him a severe blow financially and compelled him to seek work, but he had been unable to secure a post.
Therefore, in the belief that alive he was merely a drag on his wife and family, and believing that dead what means were left would suffice to enable his sons to finish their education and enter the careers he had intended for them, he had committed this act. He stated he was in a perfectly sane and proper mind. His reason for going to Jersey to end his life was to be some distance away from his family and thus spare them some of the pain.8
 
Note.It is believed that Archie made the poison in his house on Guernsey. The family believed it might be due to the loss of the diamonds he had given his sister Aimee (Emily) for safekeeping.6 
ProbateHis estate was proved on 4 Jan 1929. Entry from the calendar:

Barnett Edward Bonnycastle Archibald of 4 Boulevard Volney Rennes France died April 1924 at Groeve d'Azette Sands Jersey Channel Islands Probate London 4 January to Marie Louise Azelina Clementine Barnett widow. Effects £8766 13s.7
 
Research Note I have a copy of his will in my files. 
Last Edited21 Jan 2022

Citations

  1. J.A., comp Venn, Alumni Cantabrigienses (n.p.: Cambridge University Press, 1921), viewed on Ancestry.com.
  2. 1901 Census for England & Wales, RG13/11 folio 39.
  3. Website Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org).
  4. E-mails from John Gould to J Kolthammer,"chart, 5 May 2007."
  5. England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations),1858-1966. Images viewed at Ancestry.com. Emily Barnett, 1901.
  6. E-mails from John Gould to J Kolthammer.
  7. England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations),1858-1966. Images viewed at Ancestry.com. Edward Bonnycastle Archibald Barnett, 1929.
  8. Barrier Miner [Australia], Monday 16 June 1924, page 3. online digital image viewed at Australia National Archives Trove site.