Barge
John
Barge’s oval embossed glass bottles are a welcome addition to any collection
but most collectors would hanker after the company’s pot lids or button lid. The
company is listed between 1878 and 1902 at premises in Old Town St and from 1902 to 1926 at various premises in Mutley.
The
obituary of John Barge in The Chemist & Druggist on 30th
December 1911 sheds further
light on his business and links to his contemporaries;
“John Barge of Plymouth, chemist
(1844 – 1911); At 53 Mutley Plain, Plymouth on December
22, suddenly, died Mr John Barge, chemist and druggist, aged sixty seven. Mr Barge
was born at Buckingham in 1844, served his apprenticeship with the late Mr
William Butler, of High Wycombe, and was registered in 1869. He went to
Plymouth at the age of twenty one as an assistant to the late Mr R.C.Hill, Old Town Street, and some four years later opened
a pharmacy at 6 Old Town Street, shortly afterwards also acquiring Mr Hill’s
business, which he continued successfully up to quite recently. The pharmacy at
6 Old Town Street was
transferred to Mutley Plain in 1882, and is one of
the most handsome pharmacies in the West. Mr Barge was highly respected in a
wide circle for his geniality and integrity, and was well known to visitors to
the British Pharmaceutical Conference. He had been a member of the Plymouth Association
of Pharmacists since its formation, and had filled the offices of President and
Treasurer. During the whole time he lived in Plymouth he was associated with Sherwell Congregational Church, of which he was a deacon,
and his keen interest in the welfare of the town manifested itself through his
connection with the Mercantile Association. Mr Barge married
in 1875, and is survived by a widow, a son (Mr F.J. Barge), and two daughters.
Death took place so suddenly that an inquest was held, when the cause was
attributed to syncope following chronic bronchitis. The funeral took place on December 26, 1911 and was very
largely attended. The service was held at Sherwell Church. The
Pharmacists’ Association was represented by Mr John D. Turney
(President), Mr Edward Turney (Treasurer), Mr W. Condy U’Ren, Mr C.J. Park, Mr F.A.
Goodwin and Mr A.D. Breeze”
Premises of Barge in Old Town St (with lanterns outside)
Barge bottle
Barge pot lid
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