Banyard, Charles (1833-1905)

Transcription of Obituary in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by G. Annakin

Brother Charles Banyard was a person of more than ordinary interest. During the early years of his somewhat chequered and eventful life his lot was cast amidst circumstances and associations which were anything but helpful to the production of a devout religious spirit, or the building up of a good moral character.

Until he had more than passed his fortieth birthday, he lived a very reckless and sinful life which, in his after years, he often very deeply deplored. Better than thirty years ago, however, he was deeply convinced of the sin and folly of running any longer such a reckless and ruinous career as this. Hence, he firmly resolved to give it up, and seek divine forgiveness for the past, and grace to help him to do better for the future. After a hard struggle with the powers of darkness, and the evil tendencies of his own nature, he realised that he had obtained salvation through faith in Christ.

He at once abandoned his sinful practices and associations, and threw in his lot with our people. Having given clear and decisive proof of the reality and permanence of the change which had been wrought by the grace of God in his heart, and being possessed of an active inquisitive mind and freedom of speech, his name soon found its way on to the circuit plan, and he began to proclaim the word of life to the people around him with much pleasure and profit, to himself and others, and had the great joy given him of seeing some, through his agency, won from a life of sin and folly to a life of loveliness and bliss. About fourteen years ago, he gave up his wandering life, and settled down at Melton in Suffolk, where he was a useful member and earnest worker in our church there for the rest of his days. While here he took a deep and practical interest in all that belonged to the welfare of our church life and work.

He gave cheerfully to the funds of the church, and the relief of the poor. He welcomed both ministers, local preachers, and other Christian friends to his hospitable home, and was never happier than when engaged in friendly conversation with them about the work of God, and the precious things connected with the kingdom of the Redeemer.

Seven weeks before the end came, he was with the writer at Theberton Camp meeting when he was far from being well. Still he preached twice with much freedom and earnestness. He reached home with difficulty that night, having a distance to travel, and when the writer saw him the next day he found him very weak and prostrate. Still he was fully resigned to the will of God, and full of interest in good things. He said with deep and grateful emotion:- “If my Heavenly Father never grants me another day’s good health in this world, I am certain I have had my share.”

On the following Wednesday he had a stroke of paralysis which partially took away the use of his right side, and greatly affected his speech. This compelled him to take to his bed and utterly deprived him of the power to take any further part in any active work, either of a secular or religious character. Everything was done for him that medical skill and kind and skilful nursing could furnish, but all was in vain. He gradually became weaker as time passed on. A very short while before the end came he had a second seizure which deprived him of the use of the other side. On becoming conscious of this, he said to his affectionate and thoughtful wife, to whom he was very tenderly attached, “It is the Lord, let Him do what seemeth Him good.”

From this time he sank very rapidly, and on Tuesday. August 22nd, 1905, he passed peacefully away to the land where the storms of time never blow, and the sorrows and bereavements of earth never come.

Family

Charles was born on 16 May 1833 at Dereham, Norfolk, to parents Charles Banyard, a horsekeeper, and Elizabeth Beckett. He was baptised on 2 June 1833 at East Dereham, Norfolk.

Census returns identify the following occupations for Charles.

• 1851 licenced hawker of nuts
• 1891 photographer
• 1901 photographer

Charles married Rosanna Shinn (b abt1837) on 25 December 1858 at St Margaret, Kings Lynn.

Charles married Jane Rebecca (1852-1939) circa 1888 (based on her 1911 census return).

I have not been able to identify Charles in census records for 1861, 1871 or 1881. Nor have I been able to identify a death record for Rosanna or marriage record for Jane.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine1906/746

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers