Vaughan, Martha (nee Powell) (1811-1899)

Transcription of Obituary In the Christian Messenger

MRS. MARTHA VAUGHAN.— Mrs. Vaughan was the oldest member on the Derby Road church roll, Southport. She had passed her 88th year — and passed all the years so well. In her early married life she, with her husband, the late Mr. Robert Vaughan, erected the family altar and offered the morning and evening sacrifice, and all their conduct indoors and out harmonised with the spirit of that daily act. Mrs. Vaughan truly served God, served Him by giving her heart to Him, by serving her children, and making it her first and daily object to train her children for Him; and she served God by habitual attendance at His house, and positive and enthusiastic work in the Church and Sunday School. These were lowly ways of service, but they were the best, and in the great day may be found to have been the highest. Her service was not in vain. The results were apparent. Her own character – naturally religious – was beautifully mellowed and matured. She became, in very truth, ‘meet for the inheritance of the saints.’ She lost her will in her Lord’s. Her children found Christ. On earth or in heaven they all serve Him. One is an official in the Wesleyan Church, one is circuit steward of the Southport Second Circuit, Alderman of the Town Council, and for his worth and work’s sake, justly esteemed; one is a successful minister of the Church of his parents, while the two surviving daughters are ‘following on to know Him.’ What more could a mother desire? She had no desire at the last save that glory should crown what grace had begun. She peacefully awaited her Lord, and her death, to those who looked on, was like the falling asleep of a tired little child. They turned aside to praise God, her eyes were only closed to earth, she sees without a veil between.

Family and other information

Martha was born abt 1811 at Overton, Flintshire.

She married Robert Vaughan (1808-1889) on 30 September 1836 at Oswestry, Shropshire. Robert was a labourer. Census returns identify seven children.

• Mary (b abt1837)
• William (abt1839-1905) – a builder; Alderman of Southport
• Elizabeth (b abt1845)
• John (abt1849-1917) – a gardener and later a fruiterer.
• Thomas (1851-1918) – a PM Minister
• Ann (b abt1853)
• Edward (1858-1919) – a hardware dealer and carpenter

Martha died in early 1899 at Southport, Lancashire.

References

Christian Messenger 1899/159

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers