This page gives transcripts of the obituaries of William Baynes (1760-1832), bookseller of Paternoster Row. The first appeared in a volume "History of the City Road Chapel" and appears among the biographies of the great and good who were buried in the graves within the grounds of the Chapel. I suspect that this biography was penned by his son H.S.Baynes.

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Extract from "History of City Road Chapel" by G.J. Stevenson, published 1872. pp421-3 copy in the Society of Genealogists Library, London.

Grave No.43. William and Mary Ann Baynes' family grave.
Near this spot lies William Baynes who died September 10th, 1795, aged 1 year and 7 weeks.
Also, Mary Ann Baynes, who died April 20, 1815, aged 19 years and 5 months.
Also, Mr John Baynes, who departed this life May 12th, 1828, aged 31 years.
Also, Christopher Baynes, who departed this life August 26th, 1829, aged 16 years.
Also, Mr William Baynes, father of the above, who departed this life January 7th 1832, aged 70 years.
Also, Mr Thomas Baynes, who departed this life January 12th, 1848, aged 39 years.
Also Mary Ann Baynes, wife of William Baynes, who departed this life February 15th, 1862, aged 90 years, and lies interred in Kensal Green Cemetery.

William Baynes was one of the most eminent theological booksellers in England, during the first thirty years in the present century. (19th) He was born near Masham in the North Riding of Yorkshire, in 1760, and assisted his father on his farm for twenty years. A spirit of ambition led him to leave his native hills in 1780, when, coming to London, he engaged himself to a wholesale woollen draper. He occupied his leisure hours in visiting old book stores, and purchasing books till he had collected a considerable number, when he abandoned the clothing business, and commenced that of seller of new and old books, in a small shop in Long Lane, Aldersgate Street. He had become acquainted with the Methodists at City Road, and the influence of what he had learned was manifested by a solemn covenant which he made with God when he commenced his business. It is dated January 3rd, 1790, and from it these words are extracted-

"I solemnly declare my desire and resolve to be wholly Thine, that my life may be devoted to Thee, and that whatever I eat or drink, buy or sell, or whatsoever I do, I may do all to Thy glory."

In this spirit he carried on his business, during a period of more than forty years. In 1793, he was married in the chapel of the Tower, to Mary Ann, the daughter of Mr Samuel Bailey, one of the local preachers of City Road. In 1795, when Dr Adam Clarke first was located in London, he formed an acquaintance with Mr Baynes, which grew into close and intimate friendship, much to the advantage of both, which ended only with life. Some interesting anecdotes are related of their friendship in Mr Hare's "Life of Dr Adam Clarke", pp137, 214, and 281. In 1796, Mr Baynes removed to more extensive premises at No.54 Paternoster Row; but which have since been rebuilt, and now form the western portion of the Religious Tract Society's premises. His predecessor in that house was Garnett Terry, bookseller, engraver, and jeweller, who was employed by the Bank of England in producing their notes of currency. Amongst his customers in the Row were, Sir Thomas Grenville, founder of the Grenville Library in the British Museum; Earl Spencer; Sir Francis Freeling; H.R.H. the Duke of Sussex; many bishops and clergymen, and leading dissenting and Wesleyan ministers. At one period, through Dr Adam Clarke, he supplied Kingswood School with the literature required. In 1806, Mr Baynes published for Dr Adam Clarke his "Bibliographical Dictionary," in eight volumes, and afterwards the first volume of his "Concise View of Sacred Literature." For a quarter of a century, he and his family occupied a pew in City Road Chapel, near the inner door of the Morning Chapel, and they were most exemplary for their punctual attendance, although they resided in the Lower Road, Islington. He was several times Churchwarden of his parish, St Faith under St Paul, and always attended the church on the first Sunday of each month to assist at Communion. Mrs Baynes, his estimable wife, and several members of his family, were members of the Methodist Society at City Road. In his last illness, Mr Baynes sent for his old friend Dr Clarke, between whom there long existed a strong mutual sympathy. They were born in the same year, both commenced public life alone in the same year, and they died in the same year. On Dr Clarke entering Mr Baynes' bedroom, he smilingly said, "Well, brother Baynes, you have got the start of me;" and, after prayer, the doctor writes to his daughter, and says of him, "He is in a glorious state of preparation for heaven." He visited him again the next day, and says again of him, "He is perfectly composed and collected, and expressed his strong confidence and peace in God." Dr Clarke's opinion of his friend William Baynes is recorded in these words: "Baynes knows a book or a curiosity at a glance, without being acquainted with its exact character, and I have rarely ever found him deceived in his estimate of what he judged to be intrinsically good; his tact serves him as well as laborious knowledge, and makes him what he is, the best old bookseller in London." The Rev Thomas Jackson pays a just tribute of respect to the memory of Mr Baynes, in the Wesleyan Magazine for 1833, page 126, where he is described as one of the most eminent theological booksellers in England. He died at his house in Paternoster Row, and just before he expired, a prayer was offered that he might be "filled with peace;" his last words he faintly whispered, "I have peace." A characteristic anecdote of Mr Baynes was once related by his son Henry Samuel: - He had been invited to preside at the distribution of prizes to the Sunday School children at Globe Road Wesleyan Chapel. Finding that the whole of the children in the school had creditably conducted themselves, he obtained the names of all the children in the school, and sent to the superintendent a book for each child. Mrs Baynes survived her husband thirty years, dying at the age of ninety, and was interred in Kensal Green Cemetery. She was a member of the Methodist Society about seventy years.

Extract from the Wesleyan Methodist Magazine of 1832 p. 126
copy held by The John Rylands Library, (Methodist Collection), Manchester University.

Select list of books recently published, chiefly religious.....

William Baynes's Annual Catalogue of Books; containing the sacred Scriptures, in various languages, Works in Divinity and Biblical Criticism, English and Foreign; Books on Language; valuable editions of the Classics, and English Translations etc etc 8vo pp 352, 2s 6d For many years Mr Baynes has been one of the most eminent theological booksellers in England. It was his practice frequently to visit the continent, especially Holland and Germany, for the purpose of collecting valuable works in divinity and Biblical literature; and several private libraries in this country are indebted to him for the richest treasures they possess. After a long life spent in this honourable and useful service, he has lately been removed from his family and connexions; and by them his loss is painfully felt. He died just after this catalogue was printed off, and before it had passed into the hands of his numerous friends. Many persons will be glad to know that business, so intimately connected with sound learning and religion, will be carried on by his widow and one of his sons; who will doubtless enjoy the extensive patronage with which he was favoured. The catalogue contains nearly eight thousand articles; a large proportion of which are adapted to the use of Christian Ministers.

Extract from The Book-Hunter in London by William Roberts published 1895 p. 211
copy held by Manchester Central Library.

...... The last firm of second-hand booksellers of note who thrived in Paternoster Row was that of William Baynes and Son; and the last of the race is still remembered by the older generation of book-collectors, with his old-time appearance in frills and gaiters. In 1826 Baynes published one of the most memorable catalogues (254 pages), of books printed in the fifteenth century, which has ever appeared. It is full of extremely valuable bibliographical information.