Holley, Sarah Ann (nee Surridge) (1841-1905)

Transcription of Obituary in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by Charles Leafe

The subject of this memoir was born at Bristol, May 20, 1841, and died at 42, Hemingford Road, Barnsbury, London, June 20, 1905, in her sixty-fourth year of age. Mrs. Holley had all the advantages of a Christian home; her parents were devoted members of the Primitive Methodist Connexion for many years, and no sacrifice was too great for them to make for the Master’s sake. From her earliest infancy she had been the subject of religious impressions, and when once converted she set out on a Christian journey from which she never deviated till the end was reached and the victory was won. She was married to Mr. Benjamin John Holley, October 2, 1865. Between those two persons there was ever the most cordial religious understanding and sympathy, their aims and joys were one. How gratefully she spoke of the almost uninterrupted confidence and love which characterised their married life. Shortly after marriage they went to reside in Wales, but after the birth of their first son, Thomas, they returned to London and began at once to worship with our King’s Cross society, and they did much to facilitate the building of our commodious chapel and premises at Winchester Street. She supported the various funds of the church to her utmost ability. Let us trust that as our ranks are broken others may be raised up by God to step into the breach and follow her as far as she followed Jesus Christ. Mrs. Holley was a great lover of the class meeting, and hence she maintained a continuous membership for over forty years. Her religious experience was full, rich, clear, and pronounced. Her religious life did not fluctuate like that of some, but was even, bright, cheerful, and hopeful. Her class leader observes that her presence at the class meetings was always very welcome to himself and the other members of the class. She seems to have won a good place in the affection of all she came in contact with. Mrs. Holley was not a strong person, and did not enjoy the best of health. Her friends could see sometime before her death that she was a constant sufferer. A few weeks before her death she attended our Sunday evening open-air service and took a chill, which resulted in an attack of pneumonia. She gradually got weaker until the end came. Her devoted daughters, however, ministered lovingly to her needs, and dying was made as easy as human assistance could make it. Almost her last words were to her friends who stood by her bedside: “I have no fear; meet me in heaven.” She leaves two sons and three daughters to mourn her loss. For the bereaved family we will pray that our loving tender Father, who wept with the sisters‘ of Lazarus, may continue to sustain and bless them until they meet their “loved one gone before.” The funeral took place on Saturday afternoon, June 24th. The minister, Rev. Charles Leafe, conducted the service in the Winchester Street Church and at the grave in Finchley Cemetery, when many of the relatives and friends of the deceased were present to pay their tribute of sincere respect and love. A memorial service was held in the Winchester Street Church, on Sunday evening, July 16th, when the minister, Rev. C. Leafe, preached to a good congregation.

Family

Sarah was born to parents Thomas, a cordwainer, and Ann.

She married Benjamin John Holley (1845-1902). Benjamin was a railway foreman at the time of his death. Census returns identify five children.

  • Thomas John (1866-1931) – a postal sorter (1891); a stationary engine driver (1901)
  • Ada Rosina (1873-1922) – married Arthur Charles Garside, a bookbinder (1911), in 1892
  • Florence Maria (abt1875-1927) – married Frank Love, a taxi driver (1911), in 1900
  • Frederick Samuel (abt1877-1935) – a railway porter
  • Rosa Nellie (abt1885-1938) – a bookbinder (1911)

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine1906/576

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

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