Allen, George (1849-1914)

Transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by R.H.

George Allen was born at Stainbro’ Park Lodge, Barnsley, on August 5th, 1849, and died at Stairfoot on the 21st of May, in his sixty-fourth year. In early life he was associated with the Crane Moor Society, but it was not till he was twenty-nine years of age that he was converted through the preaching of Billy Dawson. Soon after he became a local preacher, and removing to Stairfoot, joined the little society, of which he was a member, Sunday school teacher and class leader for thirty years. In 1908 he obtained his diploma from the Sunday School Union. As a local preacher he was quaint and original, very earnest and evangelical. He had great power in prayer, and was deeply spiritual. He was regular in his attendance at the means of grace, and faithful in the keeping of his preaching appointments.

His illness was not of long duration, and he was conscious almost to the last, resting upon the “arms of the Beloved.” His funeral was conducted by Rev. R. Heppenstall and Mr. J.J. Clixby. On Sunday, June I4th, a memorial was held at Stairfoot.

Family

George was born on 5 August 1849 at Stainborough Park Lodge, Barnsley, Yorkshire, to parents John Allen, a coal miner (1951), and Eliza Horn. He was baptised on 1 September 1849 at All Saints, Siltstone with Stainborough, Yorkshire.

Census returns identify the following occupations for George.

1861 no occupation – with grandparents
1871 colliery brakesman
1881 coal miner
1891 labourer in coal mine
1901 coal miner
1911 retired coal mine labourer

He married Caroline Holling (1854-1891) on 26 June 1872 at Silkstone, Yorkshire. Census returns identify eight children.

Eliza Annie (1872-1917) – married Walter Albert Thewlis, a chemical labourer (1911), in 1894
Herbert (1874-1947) – clerk at glass bottle works (1911)
Oswald (1876-1946) – a coal miner – road underground repairer (1911)
Lily (1878-1969) – married William Samuel Cutts, assistant superintendent of assurance (1901), in 1897
Alphonso (1881-1933) – a coal miner (1901)
Ernest (1884-1971) – a coal miner (1901)
Gertrude (1885-1945) – a dressmaker (1901); married Ernest Burgin, a coal miner, in 1906
Walter (1888-1907)

George died on 21 May 1914 at Stairfoot, Yorkshire.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1914/668

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers