Biography

William Barnes (1832 - 1899) was born in Launceston, the son of William Barnes who arrived in Launceston in March 1824 and Anne Jane Sharland, school teacher, and daughter of W H Sharland of Hobart.

The elder William Barnes was the first brewer in the town, and set up the Port Dalrymple Brewery near the river on property bounded on two sides by Paterson and Margaret Streets. This William Barnes was given land in the Trevallyn Estate including the Cataract Gorge area.

The younger William lived all his life in Launceston, except for a few years spent in England finishing his education. During his life he was a member, for almost twenty years, of the Board of Management of the Launceston General Hospital. He took a keen and active interest in all public and philanthropic movements. For many years he presented the seat of Selby in the House of Assembly.

At Trevallyn, William Barnes carried on sheep farming for many years, with great success. He was a trustee of the Grammar School from 1877 to 1898. He was also a member of the District Nursing Association, and the Natural Science Association.

In 1861, at New Norfolk, he married Isabella Susan Sharland, daughter of William Sharland of ‘Woodbridge’, New Norfolk. They had two daughters.
Further information can likely be found in Nyllavert - The House that Barnes Built Paul. A.C. Richards 2003 [very limited edition]

William Barnes died in 1899. His wife, who survived him, made many generous gifts to St. John’s Church; the brass book-desk for the altar, the brass alms tray and in memory of her husband, a communion rail of hardwood supported by finely wrought brass standards. With her death a few years later, the Trevallyn property was bequeathed to the City Council, and has been developed as the Cliff Gardens at the Cataract Gorge. On the communion rail at St. John’s the inscription reads:
THIS RAIL IS ERECTEDTO THE GLORY OF GOD
AND IN MEMORY OF
WILLIAM BARNES OF TREVALLYN

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