The _Gentleman’s Magazine_ of 1814 records his death thus in the
Obituary, February 14: “At Scarborough, in his 104th year, Mr. Barth.
Johnson, a celebrated musical character. He possessed to the last a
vigorous mind and strong retentive memory.”
In the “History of Scarborough from the earliest date,” by Joseph
Brogden Baker, among the biographical notices, is the following:--
“JOHNSON, BARTHOLOMEW.
“Johnson, Barth., was born at Wykeham, near Scarborough,
October 3rd, 1710. He resided at Scarborough from the time of his
apprenticeship to the time of his death. He was for seventy years
one of the ‘town waits.’ As a musician, and for the many excellent
traits in his character, he universally preserved the esteem of a
highly respectable circle of friends. His constitution naturally
was vigorous, and he lived to a great age. In 1810 he completed
his hundredth year, which was celebrated by a jubilee dinner and
musical performance at the Freemasons’ Lodge, Scarborough, and a
medal was struck as a memorial of this event; about ten o’clock at
night the good old man bore a part in a quartette, performing on
the violoncello the bass to a Minuet which he himself had composed
upwards of sixty years before. Lord Mulgrave, the Honourable Henry
Phipps, the Bailiffs, and about seventy gentlemen, visitors and
residents of Scarborough and the neighbourhood, honoured the meeting
with their company. Congratulatory letters from the borough members
were read, whilst several poetical compositions, suitable to the
occasion, from the classic pens of Archdeacon Wrangham and Thomas
Hinderwell, Esq., were recited and sung. Lord Mulgrave afterwards
commissioned the late J. Jackson, R.A., to paint the portrait of the
venerable old man, which was presented to the Corporation by his
lordship and now adorns the council chamber of the Town Hall. In
1814 he departed this life in the 104th year of his age.”
A similar account, from which, perhaps, the above facts were taken, is
to be found in “The History and Antiquities of Scarborough,” by Thomas
Hinderwell, Esq.