Adams, Thomas (1839-1911)

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Transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by J.B.

Thomas Adams was born at West Heslerton (near Scarborough) in 1839. At forty years of age he was converted and immediately joined our Church at Wykeham, where for seventy years the services were held in cottages. In this fellowship Brother Adams developed a sturdy piety, which won for him a firm place in the esteem and goodwill of the neighbourhood. His wife, who survives him, kept pace with him in his religious progress, and when need arose their home was offered for our services, which were held there for twenty-five years. 

Our brother and sister lived a life of simple and unostentatious piety, and all their activities were marked by an unbending integrity. Towards the building of the pretty chapel which some years ago was opened at Ruston, free of debt, our deceased friend collected no less a sum than £25 15s. 6d., a clergyman of the State Church, out of respect for Mr. Adams, contributing £5 5s. It was a day of triumph for him when the new chapel was opened, and he never ceased to glorify therein.

On February 14th, 1911, he suffered from a stroke, and on June 8th, at the age of seventy-two, he passed to the home and temple on high.

Family

Thomas was born in 1839 at West Heslerton, Yorkshire, to parents John Adams, who worked the land (1841), and Ann Hope. He was baptised on 10 March 1839 at West Heslerton.

Census returns identify the following occupations for Thomas.

• 1851 farm labourer
• 1861 carter
• 1871 farm labourer
• 1881 agricultural labourer
• 1891 general labourer
• 1901 general labourer
• 1911 estate labourer

He married Elizabeth Milner (1847-1933) on 22 December 1869 at Stillingfleet, Yorkshire. Census returns identify eight of nine children.

• Sam (1870-1929) – general labourer (1911)    
• Jane Ann (1874-1888)       
• Alice (1875-1918)  – a general domestic servant (1901)        
• Frederick (1877-1945) – a domestic groom (1911)
• James (b1879) – a shepherd (1911)
• Ruth (1881-1961) – married Thomas John K Scott, a house painter (1911), in 1906
• Esther (1884-1917 – dressmaker (1911); married Alfred Young in 1915
• Rhoda (1886-1953) – laundress (1911); married William Hart, a farm waggoner (1911), in 1917

Thomas died on 8 June 1911 at Wykeham, Yorkshire.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1913/665

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers