Pigott, Enoch (1821-1887)

Transcription of Obituary in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by James R.Parkinson

ENOCH PIGOTT was born at Adwick-le-Street, a small village near Doncaster, December 8, 1821. We possess but little information as to the first twenty years of his life. One of the members of his family desired him to supply some information in reference to this period, when he replied with characteristic modesty, ‘Let my life remain in oblivion; I am but a sinner saved by grace.’ It is evident, however, that he was favoured with a superior education, as he was enabled to creditably sustain the offices of land surveyor, assistant overseer, and clerk of the school board, of which he was also elected a member; and that the board highly appreciated his services in the education of the young, as was proved by a letter of condolence forwarded by their direction to Mrs. Pigott and his family after his decease.

In the year 1842, the subject of this sketch was residing at Luddington, where a Primitive Methodist chapel had been recently erected, his uncle, Mr. Thompson, who was a large farmer in the place, having rendered the project very effective aid. Enoch Pigott became a regular attendant at this place of worship, where he was not only convinced of his need of pardon, but was also enabled to rejoice in the consciousness of sins forgiven. He at once became a member of the society, which for the last forty-five years has been one of the most prosperous in what was then the Epworth, but is now the Crowle Circuit.

Scarcely had twelve months elapsed, when his name appeared on the station plan. His abilities as a preacher were good, his services were acceptable throughout the circuit and were often in request. His sermons abounded in appeals to the heart, and his manner illustrated the views of Richard Baxter, who said –
‘I preach as if I ne’er should preach again,
A dying man to dying men.’

On entering the marriage state he was blessed with an industrious, pious partner; their abode was the house of God, and their family altar sometimes resembled the gate of heaven.

His parental duties were discharged in a manner that produced love and reverence. It was his happiness and that of his excellent wife, to see their children become members of the church of their choice; and two of their sons, the Revs. Thomas and William Pigott, are well known and highly esteemed ministers of the Primitive Methodist Connexion. Under his hospitable roof our preachers, for a long series of years, were kindly entertained. He was the leading singer, class-leader, society steward, and chapel steward at Luddington, and when the chapel was enlarged he rendered valuable aid. He also filled the office of circuit steward, and on different occasions he was elected to represent his circuit in the District Meetings and Conferences.

As a class-leader he was much respected by his members, and their perseverance in well-doing afforded him much consolation. Being clear-headed and warm-hearted, his friendship was highly valued; his faith in Christ was strong, and the assurance of his acceptance with God was undoubted.

For many years he was a regular attendant at the annual gatherings at Crowle wharf, where five or six thousand people were accustomed to assemble for worship on the last Sunday and Monday of June in each year, and when the seed was sown which has since produced an abundant harvest of genuine righteousness to the glory of the gospel of our salvation. In these important services Enoch Pigott took a leading part, and for this duty he was well qualified by his commanding stature, his well-timed, enrapturing song, and his prevalent supplications at the throne of grace. His zeal in supplying his appointments continued to the end. At a time when the water was very high in the river Trent, he was planned to preach on Sunday evening at Aincotts, the road adjoining the bank of the river. On his walking home after the service the river bank burst asunder, and he was immersed in the flood. Being exhausted by efforts to extricate‘ himself, and having called in vain for human help, he was enabled by Divine grace to resign himself to pass from the flooded fields to fields of living green. However, his extremity was God’s opportunity, who, notwithstanding the untimely hour of the night, mercifully directed the somewhat distant dwellers at Mere-Dyke, to wander towards the field where he was, and they rescued him when ready to perish. This incident greatly accelerated the progress of an affliction to which he had been for some time subject, namely heart disease, and hastened the end.

On Tuesday, February 22nd, 1887, he said to his wife, ‘I’m on the rock; it’s high and dry;’ and ere the sun had set that day, he eloquently exclaimed, as he lifted his left hand, while grasping his affectionate wife’s hand with his right, ‘Valley bright, valley bright, valley bright!’ and without a struggle or a sigh, he went sweeping through the gates, washed in the blood of the Lamb, and he now, without doubt, through faith and patience inherits the promises.

Family

Enoch was baptised on 11 July 1822 at the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, Pontefract, Yorkshire. His parents were William Pigott and Elizabeth Tomson..

Census returns identify the following occupations for Enoch.

• 1841 agricultural labourer
• 1851 agricultural labourer
• 1861 farm labourer
• 1871 assistant overseer and land surveyor
• 1881 assistant overseer

Enoch married Rachel Richardson (1817-1888) on 25 November 1841 at Luddington, Licolnshire. Census returns identify seven children.

• Mary (b abt1838)
• Thomas (1840-1902) – a PM Minister
• Elizabeth (b1842) – married John Taylor, an agricultural labourer, in 1870; a widowed dressmaker (1881)
• Richard (1844-1911) – a shipwright
• William (1846-1921) – a PM Minister
• Enoch (1849-1913) – a shipwright
• Susannah (1852-1931) – married James Barley, an iron miner, in 1872

The baptismal records of both Mary and Thomas only identify the mother, Rachel.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1888/371

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

Note: Some early records spell the surname Pygott.