Moore, Isaac (1812-1899)

Transcription of Obituary In the Primitive Methodist Magazine by Jas. Davies

Bucknell, Leintwardine Circuit, has lost :a good helper in the removal of our old friend. His familiar figure is no longer seen moving in and out the corners of the three counties, Salop, Hereford, and Radnor, where his business lay.

He had a striking personality: tall, strongly built, thickly set, strength was the one thing indicated by his presence. He was strong-minded, having a will and a way of his own, he was true to himself and wouldn’t be otherwise. He was a shrewd observer of men and things; well read in current topics, he could discuss politics by the hour, and argue on theology till his opponent was tired. Knowing him so well, I found in him a union of opposites. He could appear unkindly blunt, scathingly sarcastic, yet one of the most tender-hearted and sympathetic men I have ever known.

The strongest side of his nature was the moral; for many years he was a believer in Christ, a follower of Christ, and a worker with Christ, and these, in our judgment, constitute the Christian. His religion was seen in his constant attendance at the house of God, his faithfulness in taking his appointments, his open door and unstinted hospitality, his liberality to the cause of God, and his general interest in everything making for the betterment of the world. Mind, he was not a perfect man, humanly speaking. Who is the perfect man? There is only one perfect Son of man, and how glad we are to know that He is tenderly touched with the infirmities of all His weaker brethren.

As a business man Mr. Moore was successful. He believed in offering a good thing and getting value for it. As a father I should class him high. His children knew of his love, and how tender was the strong man for many years with the frail, loving woman who left him seven years ago.

He was born at Ballidon, Derbyshire, August 23, 1812. He was born again in his native county. When a young man he was in the employ of the great George Stephenson, of railway fame. He was treated with some favour by the great engineer, attended his death-bed, and helped to carry him to his grave. Mr. Moore came to Shrewsbury with Mrs. Stephenson, where he at once joined our people, became a local preacher, serving as school superintendent and class-leader. Here he laboured for years, and when he removed, was the recipient of valuable presents from our Church.

What about his labours in Knighton Circuit where he proved himself a tower of strength? He was a thorough Nonconformist and a loyal Primitive Methodist, and right well has he merited the honour put upon him by his circuits in being sent seven times as delegate to District Meeting, and once as District representative to Conference. Bucknell is poorer by his removal. Much more may he said, but we will leave it, only to say that the friend we loved so well has fled from the “lower house” to the upper, and we prize him none the less because he is in heaven.

And what about the end? Thank God, the end came as the sun goes down when finishing a long day’s work, calmly, peacefully, serenely.

Having served his generation by the will of God he fell on sleep November 4. As tired nature gently closed his eves to earth, the angels on the watch carried him to the bosom of God. Loving relatives and kind friends many, watched, waited, and worshipped at his burial, and with much feeling joined in singing his favourite hymn, “Rock of Ages cleft for me.” All that was mortal was left to lie and rest until the Eternal Day dawns and the shadows of earth for ever flee away.

On Sunday evening, Dec. 3, his death was improved at Bucknell by an old friend, the minister of Dawley Station. The congregation was large, and the service was inspiring and helpful in a high degree.

Family

Isaac was baptised on 4 October 1812 at Bradbourne, Derbyshire. His parents were Isaac and Ann.

Census returns identify the following occupations for Isaac.

• 1841 labourer
• 1851 gardener
• 1861 commercial traveller
• 1871 travelling agent
• 1881 general merchant
• 1891 coal merchant

Isaac married Sarah Eyre (1811-1849) on 13 March 1839 at All Saints, Bradbourne, Derbyshire. Census returns identify six children.

• Ann (abt1839- 1925) – married William Gibbins, a limestone quarryman, in 1856
• John (abt1840-1920) – a coal agent (1891)
• Eliza (b abt1842)
• Isaac (b abt1844)
• Esther Ann (1846-1885) – married Josiah Fearn, a farmer, in 1878
• Sarah (1849-1923) – assistant to a licensed victualler

Isaac married Sarah Bellingham (abt1819-1892) in early 1851 at Shrewsbury, Shropshire. Census returns identify five children.

• Thomas (b1852) – a tailor (1891)
• Deborah (abt1854-1928)
• Samuel Edward (1856-1895) – a draper
• Martha Ann (b abt1859) – married John Morrey, a builder, in 1884
• Charlotte (b1860) – married Andrew Edwards, a collector for coal company (1911), in 1888

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1901/790

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers