Stones, William (1814-1903)

Transcription of Obituary in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by William Gelley

On March 27th, William Stones, of Shildon, the oldest member of this station, passed away to his eternal rest, having lived to the ripe old age of eighty-eight years. He was a native of Patleybridge, and came to reside at Shildon about fifty-sevens years ago. Here he gave himself to God and became a member of our church at Shildon. Primitive Methodism at that time was but weak and our old chapel stood in a place called “Ranters’ Yard.” But the men of that day were full of faith and enterprise, and thirty-five years ago they built our present commodious chapel, and Bro. W. Stone was one of the trustees. He never was a man of many words, but an infant church had no harder worker or more generous supporter. For many years he was a most diligent Sunday school teacher and also society steward, and by his quiet peaceful spirit he did much to build up our Church. In his latter days he became very weak and suffered much, but no word of complaint dropped from his lips. He expressed the strongest confidence in God; and the comfort of a great hope cheered him in his suffering. The funeral service was conducted by the Rev. Thomas Elliott. Many friends gathered around his remains to follow him to his resting place in St. John’s Churchyard. Though our present generation knows little about him; yet the older men speak of him in terms of great respect as a most saintly man and devoted member of the Church.

Family

William was baptised on 4 June 1814 at Salem Independent Chapel, Pateley Bridge, Yorkshire. His parents were George and Mary.

Census returns identify the following occupations for William.

  • 1851 coal miner
  • 1861 coal miner
  • 1871 greengrocer
  • 1881 greengrocer
  • 1891 fruiterer
  • 1901 greengrocer

William’s first wife was Elizabeth (abt1817-1862) She was from Arkengarthdale, Yorkshire. Census returns identify one child.

  • George Edward (1842-1881) – a butcher

William married Dorothy Waugh, nee Forster (1824-1905) in the spring of 1873 in the Stockton Registration District, Co. Durham.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1904/323

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

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