Broome, John and Martha

Transcription of Obituary In the Christian Messenger

MRS. AND MR. JOHN BROOME, of Lower Wood, Church Stretton circuit, were members with us for about half a century. He was converted while yet a lad in his teens. For some time after his conversion he was afraid that he might turn back, so he joined no society, as he feared that by falling back he might bring disgrace on the cause. But after his marriage both he and Mrs. Broome became members. They went to live at The Thresholds, in the Bishop’s Castle circuit, and preaching services were held in their house. At that place the main part of his life was lived – a quiet, conscientious, blameless life. He had no great gifts of utterance nor was his life one of great public activity. Like the tiny brook that sings among the hills where most of his life was lived – that flows on from day to day – one day just like another, so was John Broome’s life. And, just as men wandermg on the hills, find out the brook with its music in its quiet seclusion, so did people discover the deep divine life that was nurtured in his heart. He would walk long distances to the house of God, and though he had a large family it was always a joy to him and Mrs. Broome to entertain the Ministers and Local Preachers. As great distance did not keep him from the house of God, neither did the occupations of the farm of which he was bailiff. His master came one Sunday and finding he was gone to the meeting got into a rage, and asking John why he went to the meeting, Mr. Broome meekly replied that he wanted to go to heaven when he died. His employer never came on a Sunday after that. But when, on his death-bed, the family asked him if they should send for the clergyman, ‘No’ said he, ‘send for John Broome, I have more faith in his prayers than in that of the clergyman.’ At length his own turn came to lie down and die. With the New Year there came to him a severe attack of bronchitis; he, his wife, and his son Edward were all stricken down with it at the same time. The doctor said he did not know which of the three might die first. Mrs. Broome died Tuesday, January 16th 1900, Mr. Broome followed her on the following Monday, January 22nd. ‘They were lovely and pleasant in their lives and in their death they were not divided.’ Their dust sleeps in the same grave in Church Stretto cemetery, but their souls dwell in the Father’s mansion fair. Mr. W. Morris preached their funeral sermon, February 11th, 1900, in the Lower Wood Chapel.

JOHN GRAHAM.

Family and other information

John Broome was baptised on 4 July 1819 at Wentnor, Shropshire. His parents were Thomas and Elizabeth.

John was described on census returns as an agricultural labourer for most of his working life. The 1891 census identifies him as a farmer.

John married Martha Pugh (b abt 1822) on 5 June 1845 at Ratlinghope, Shropshire. Census returns identify twelve children.

• Elizabeth (1846-1926) – married William Challinor, a labourer, in 1872
• Mary Ann (b1847) – married William Thomas, a railway porter, in 1877
• Sarah Jane (b1850) – married Evan Davies, a farmer, in 1873
• Fanny (b abt1852) – only identified in 1861 census
• William (1853-1925) – a farm labourer
• Martha (b1855) – only identified in 1861 census
• John (b1857) – a railway shunter (1881); a cowman on farm (1911)
• Thomas (1859-1928) – a railway guard (1911)
• Edward (b1861) – a farmer (1901)
• Annie (1862-1958) – married Thomas Lownds, a wood sawyer, in 1894
• Samuel (b1865) – an insurance agent (1891); journeyman plasterer (1901)
• Jane (b1867) – married William Peate, a coal salesman, in 1898

References

Christian Messenger 1900/127

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers