Parks, Rebecca (nee Robinson) (1811-1900)

Transcription of Obituary in the Christian Messenger

MRS. REBECCA PARKS was born at Barkstone, Bottisford Circuit, June 1st, 1811. In her early days she was a member of the Church Choir, but after her conversion, which occurred about 1834, or earlier, she united with our people, and soon became an active worker. In company with several others she missioned Grantham and several villages around. In 1840 she was married to the late Rev. Robert Parks, and in the several Circuits on which they travelled she rendered good service in many ways. In 1873 she was left a widow, and a few years ago she returned to her native village to end her days.

On the 10th of March, 1900, in the 89th year of her age, she died in the house in which both she and her late husband, so many years before, found the Lord. On the 14th, after a short service in our chapel, conducted by the writer, assisted by Mr. R. Silverwood, she was interred in the churchyard. Mrs. Parks was a sincere Christian, a loyal Primitive Methodist, and an earnest worker as long as health and strength permitted. To the last she retained her interest in all that affected the cause, and enjoyed the consolations of the Gospel to the end. The Rev. R. Bryant says: “I have stayed in her home a few nights during the life-time of her husband, and always found her very hospitable, considerate and kind. She was of a kind, generous, and liberal disposition, especially where she took to anyone, and she scarcely knew how to do enough for them. By this means she favourably impressed many of the officials in the Circuits where she travelled, and made many fast friends. She was in her younger days jolly and cheerful in her home, very devoted to her children, and considerate and lenient towards them; we may say indulgent. When she was able she regularly attended the means of grace, and enjoyed her class meeting and found it to be a helpful means of grace, and an excellent form of fellowship that she much appreciated, while its meetings for prayer, testimony and counsel cheered, comforted and helped her. She was pretty regular in her attendance at the preaching service, and generally stayed to the close of the Sunday night prayer meeting. She was also a useful worker in the church, especially in its social gatherings, tea meetings, sewings meetings, bazaars, and sales of work. She was a splendid needlewoman, and rather prided herself on her needlework, and would sit for hours on a winter’s afternoon and evening when she could not get out, sewing for sales of work, charitable purposes, etc. She was always interested in the welfare of her old colleagues and their families, and generally enquired after their welfare, and would mention with grateful recollections any special incident, or act of kindness and consideration rendered by them in their Circuits. The same thing is true respecting the officials and laymen in the Circuits where she had travelled. She would speak of their excellencies as well as their failings.”

JOSEPH JOHNSON.

Bottisford, near Nottingham.

Family

Rebecca was baptised on 2 June 1811 at Barkstone, Leicestershire. Her parents were John and Elizabeth.

Rebecca married Robert Parks (1816-1873) at Melton Mowbray in 1840. Census returns identify seven children.

  • Josiah Orton (1841-1866) – a PM Minister
  • Betsy (b1842)
  • Amelia (1844-1904) – married John Hanson, a commercial clerk
  • Martin Luther (1846-1908) – railway engine driver (1881); emigrated to California.
  • Sarah Caroline (b1848) – a housekeeper in 1881
  • Thomas Morgan (1850-1871)
  • Robert (b1853) – a commercial traveller

References

Christian Messenger 1901/379; 1902/26

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

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