William Barton (16 January 1777 – 7 January 1825) was an English cricketer who played first-class cricket for a large number of sides during the period between 1795 and 1817.
Barton was born at Finsbury in Middlesex in 1777. He is first known to have played cricket for a Middlesex side in 1793 before making his first-class debut in 1795, playing for Middlesex against an MCC side at Lord's Old Ground. He made a total of 37 appearances in first-class matches, including 13 for England sides.[a] He played first-class matches for sides representing Middlesex four times, Surrey three times and once each for Kent and Hampshire sides.[2] Barton is known to have scored 801 runs, with a highest score of 69, and taken at least seven wickets in his career.[b][4]
Barton died at Westminster in London in 1825.[2] His nephew Robert Barton played a single first-class match for a Middlesex side in 1850.[5]
Notes
^During the time Barton played, England sides were not representative of the country. Instead, they were sides composed of players from a range of locations brought together to play against another side.[1]
^At this time wickets taken by bowlers were normally only recorded if they were bowled. Other means of dismissal were not credited to any bowler.[3] As a result the number of wickets Barton took is uncertain, with the total of seven being a minimum. This also makes the calculation of an accurate bowling average impossible.
