Wood, James (1824-1915)

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Transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by T.J.

On Tuesday, February 16th, 1915, at the age of ninety-one years, James Wood entered into the rest of the “homeland.” His departure marked the severance of one of the links that connect the first two decades of London Primitive Methodism with the present. When in his sixteenth year he was taken by an aunt to a class meeting held at the Old Cooper’s Gardens Chapel. He there and then decided to serve the Lord. The conversion of James Wood added a most striking personality and valuable Connexional asset to Metropolitan Primitive Methodism. His social and educational advantages were above the average of our Church’s converts at that time, but his evangelistic fervour, and the ardour of his devotion early became conspicuous, and remained undiminished to the sunset of life. 

He was a member and official of that one society for seventy-five years. An effective preacher and public speaker, he has left behind him the record of a stainless character and noble life. 

His mortal remains rest in Chingford Mount Cemetery.

Family

James was born in 1824 at Shoreditch, London, to parents Joseph, a baker (1841), and Elizabeth. He was baptised on 5 May 1824 at Shoreditch..

Census returns identify the following occupations for James.

• 1851 clerk
• 1861 clerk
• 1871 merchant’s clerk
• 1881 manager of boot makers
• 1891 boot manufacturer
• 1901 retired boot maker
• 1911 no occupation given – noted to have become blind at age of 75

He married Ann Hitchins (1822-1905) on 25 December 1845 at London. Census returns identify two children.

• Ann Elizabeth (1846-1922) – married William Robinson, a cork trade dealer (1911), in 1872 
• James (1853-1884)  – a commercial traveller (1881)   

James died on 16 February 1915 in the Rochford Registration District, Essex.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1915/666

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers