BIG BOB BARNET from Auchterarder.

[Currie]

Big Bob Barnet from Auchterarder.

In the season when we hear the story about “Tiny Tim”, here’s a story about “Big Bob” from the pages of the Caledonian Mercury, 19th September, 1861.

DEATH OF A CHARACTER.

The Aberdeen Herald chronicles the death of a local celebrity, Mr Robert Murray Barnet, better known as "Big Bob," He started in life as a herd in his native town of Auchterarder, and was in succession a draper's apprentice, a mason, a collier, and divers things else. But his passion was for the stage. He became a strolling player, lived that life for years, and liked it. At last, while starving in London, a friend sent him down by steamer to Aberdeen. He first became a labourer in a quarry, next a carpet weaver, and then he was for many years in succession supernumerary, property-man, money-taker, checker, and copyist with Mr Corbet Ryder and Mrs Pollock—faithful and diligent in all. He turns up next as clerk at Garlogie Mills—a trade he seems peculiarly well fitted for, his penmanship being really beautiful; but he began it too late in life to benefit himself much by it. He then filled a similar situation in a mill in Aberdeen, and also, with a sheriff-officer, and others. Finally, he landed in the Police Office, where he was for seven years a useful and respected member of the force as night clerk—a situation the duties of which he discharged till within two days of his death. The Herald thus moralises his death:—Anti now a little concerning his heart. It was a sound, leal, and Christian one; large and tender in its sympathies—ever active in its benevolence. Many's the poor lassie lost in shame—an outcast on the streets—who, when taken to the Watch-house, unexpectedly found a true friend in the stern-looking man who noted her name and age, but—God help all such—"no home." Quietly, in a little, would Bob slip away to the unfortunate's cell—learn her history (there was no sternness then)—and, if a spark of repentance remained, and a hope of better things for the future was shown, depend upon it Bob found means to aid the poor thing's "return" and amendment. "Dinna come back here" was always his last words to any young person who had been apprehended for the first time. "Dinna come back here, or ye’ll bring sorrow to yer fouk and shame to yersel'." Very happily did "W. A.," Bob's superior at the police desk, treat this phase of his companion's character, some years ago, in our own columns:—

When a young thoughtless lassie misled leaves her hame,
An' daurna again face her parents for shame,
Or heedless her health an' her happiness stakes
I’ the street or the brothel, the plaything o' rakes;
When brought to the Watch-house she scarcely can speak—
‘Tis the first time, an' mark the deep blush on her cheek;
Bob's heart, swelling up 'gainst his fat ribs, plays whack,
As, wi' tears in his een, he says "Dinna come back."

When a fond, doating mither disconsolate grieves
To learn that her laddie trepann'd is by thieves,
For her poor errin' loon at the Watch-house she spiers,
In heart-breakin' tones, Bob is melted to tears.
'Tis then he is great, for he looks sae benign,
He might pass for a doctor, if not a divine
For he lectures on crime, and he paints it sae black,
That the youngsters, in some eases, "dinna come back,"

And what a light and merry heart Big Bob had, too; but aye lightest and merriest when acting and actors were spoken of. To the last he retained his passion for the play-house, and twenty stone weight as he was, we have seen him not over half a dozen of years gone by, play—and without stuffing—Falstaff, with great glee on the boards of our theatre. By way of compliment Bob's name for some season's past has been regularly introduced into the pantomime. This pleased him mightily, and it was amusing to mark how he would hie down to the theatre from the Police-Office just about the hour when he knew his name would he uttered—peep in at the pit door, and having heard the words "Big Bob" welcomed with applause, run—if his process of progress could justly be so designated—run up Marischal Street as happy as a child, ready and anxious to impart a share of his happiness to any miserable creature who might need it. Farewell old friend! Many a lesson have we and others got from you of how "a little may go a far away, and words spoken gently make music in a barren heart." Farewell! good and guileless "Big Bob."

I hope a genealogist somewhere has “Big Bob’ on their tree and that they find this article about him.

All the best,
Alan

[SarahND]

Great one, Alan!

Here he is in 1861:

16 Longacre, Aberdeen St Nicholas
Robert M Barnet, 56, Head, born Auchterarder, Perth, Watch House Clerk
Ann Barnet, 63, Wife, born Mettitich, Aberdeenshire
Elisabeth Troup. 37, Niece, born Abdn, Abdn Sh, Dress Maker

Anyone recognize him?

All the best,
Sarah

[joette]

Nope although I have Graham/Black rellies from there but he sounds a "proper character" & an optimist.
Wish he were in my tree.
His death gives his age as 60 & he has been married twice
Present wife-looks like Ann King & formerly to Christian Hay.Parents are given as Robert Fredrick Barnet(Farmer) & Mother as Ann nee Murray.(Stat Death 1861St Nicholas 168/01 0788).
There is one son born 1828 to Christian & Robert in Edinburgh St Cuthberts- Robert Forrester Barnet.If he was a wanderer maybe some births down South.