Sheen, Fortune (nee Gwillim) (1819-1903)

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1905

Transcription of Obituary in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by Danzy Sheen

The subject of this, brief memoir, was born June 4th, 1819, at Bryngwyn, Radnorshire, and in early life became a decided Christian through a sermon, which she heard on the text: ‘‘I say unto all, watch!” Mark xiii. 37. She was a consistent member of the Congregational Church, at Hermon, Rhos Loch, in her native parish, until her removal to London, about 1863, in order to be near her children, four of whom were then living there. After a few years membership at South Street, Islington, she removed to Kingsland, and joined our Castle Street Church, which became the dearest place to her under heaven. She reverenced and loved the servants of Christ who preached His word, and tended His flock. She had been left a widow with seven children, when only thirty-two years of age. Her exertions on their behalf were marvellous. She determined never to re-marry for her children’s sake.

Three of them passed the flood before her; a son and two daughters, besides the writer, live to revere and bless her memory.

She passed away to the upper home of Bliss from the home of her youngest daughter, Mrs. Crabtree, in London, August 20th, 1903. Her remains were interred at Chingford Mount Cemetery, August 24th, by Rev. J. Dobson,  superintendent of Stoke Newington Circuit. The Rev. Joseph Johnson, who was for many years her pastor, writes: – “I am pleased to avail myself of the opportunity of paying my tribute of loving esteem to your sainted mother. During my fourteen years of superintendence of Stoke Newington Circuit, she was in unbroken membership with our Castle Street Society, and was much esteemed for her simplicity of faith, purity of character, and unstinted support of the cause. . . . She loyally and liberally honoured her obligations in the church. . . . She was scrupulously conscientious, strictly upright and thorough, and in every sense a worthy follower of Jesus Christ. Her decease must mean a great loss of personal goodness and sincerity to the church with which she was so long and honourably connected.”

She bravely bore the cross and despised the shame. I thank God for her example and teaching, and look on with joy for reunion in a better world.

Family

Fortune was baptised on 4 June 1819 at Lanbadarn Garreg, Radnorshire. She was the illegitimate daughter of Sarah Gwillim, a servant.

Fortune married Dansey Sheen (abt1815-1850), a farmer (1841), on 13 June 1837 at Bryngwyn, Radnorshire. Immediately after her husband’s death, in 1851 Fortune is described as a pauper. Thereafter she earned her living as a dressmaker. Census returns identify seven children.

  • Richard Burgoine (1838-1878) – a castrator (1861)
  • Hannah Margaret (b abt1841)
  • William (abt1843-1918) – a shoemaker (1861)
  • Danzy (1844-1926) – a PM Minister
  • John (b abt1847) – a boot and shoe maker (1871)
  • Emma (b abt1849) – a house servant (1861)
  • Rebecca (1851-1922) – married Charles William Crabtree in 1871

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine1905/408

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

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