Saul, Isabella (nee Hope) (1834-1899)

Transcription of Obituary in the Christian Messenger

MRS. ISABELLA SAUL, the wife of George Saul, of Sheffield Second Circuit, departed this life December 19th, 1899, aged 65 years, having for over 42 years been a member of the Primitive Methodist Connexion. She was converted in February 1857, having been convinced of sin and the need of salvation whilst attending the revival services held in Sheffield by the famous Revivalist, Rev. James Caughey. She made known the state of her mind to Mr. Richard Holden, who married her sister, and for some weeks she was very near the Kingdom, but stumbled at the simplicity of faith, waiting to feel she was saved before she believed.

Mr. Holden continued to urge upon her the plain way of salvation, when one night, walking by his side on the way home, she suddenly said to him “I’m saved; all is light and joy and peace.” She joined his class at Stanley Street, and remained a member of the Connexion until her death. She at once gave proof of her conversion by heartily engaging in Sunday School work. The class meeting was her delight, and as health and circumstances permitted she was a regular attendant, her principle for over 40 years being to get to her class whatever else was neglected. Although in recent years her health greatly interfered with her attendance at the means of grace, yet when she was able to get to the class meeting her experience was always rich and full of power. Her piety was of the quiet and unobtrusive character. She never paraded her religion, but could give when needful striking testimony to its value and power. Her death came suddenly, but she was found trusting in the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Family

Isabella was baptised on 18 July 1834 at St Helen Auckland. Her parents were Ralph Hope, a railway mechanic, and Mary Ann Milburn.

Isabella married George Saul (abt 1836-1904) in early 1861 at Sheffield, Yorkshire. Census returns identify the following occupations for George.

  • 1861 bricklayer
  • 1871 bricklayer
  • 1881 builder and PM local preacher
  • 1891 foreman builder
  • 1901 manager over builder’s construction department

Census returns identify five children.

  • Mary Ann Frances (1864-1888)
  • John Thomas (1867-1953) – a window cleaner (daytime) & builder’s clerk (night) (1911)
  • Jane Elizabeth (1870-72)
  • William Hope (1873-1951) – an armour plate grinder (1911)
  • George Ralph (1876-1885)

References

Christian Messenger 1902/63

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

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