Shinkfield, Martha (1772-1836)

Martha, wife of William Shinkfield of Lynn Regis, was born in 1772; was converted in May, 1832, and died Sep. 17,1836.

In May, 1832, while sitting under the ministry of the word in the P. M. chapel at Lynn, she was convinced of her lost state; and in the evening at a prayer meeting held in one of the member’s houses, her soul was converted, she found peace through believing in Jesus.  She joined the society, met in Sister Salmon’s class, and was a consistent steady member till her death.

A few weeks after her conversion, being at Upwell on a visit to her daughter and son-in-law, who is one of our local preachers; they spoke to her on the necessity of the new birth, not knowing that she had found liberty.  They kneeled down, and she broke out in prayer and praise, acknowledging what God had done for her soul.

A few weeks prior to her death, being at Upwell, her son-in-law asked if she was ready to die.  She replied, “Yes.”

On the Tuesday before her death, her daughter, who resided in the same house with her was confined, and she attended on her.  On Friday, Sep. 16, she was uncommonly earnest in prayer for a meetness for heaven.  Saturday, Sep. 17, she rose apparently in as good health as usual.  But as she stood by her daughter’s bed-side, enquiring after the welfare of her and the child, and turning to reach something for the child, she fell down and expired, in the sixty-fifth year of her age, leaving her husband and two daughters, with families.

Her funeral sermon was preached in the chapel, to a very attentive congregation ; and it pleased God to save two souls in the prayer meeting held at the close of the service.

J.L.

Primitive Methodist Magazine, 1838.  Page 117.