Allison, Christopher Paddison (1832-1909)

Transcription of Obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by A.R. Walsham

MR. CHRISTOPHER P. ALLISON, of Theddlethorpe, Louth, finished his mundane career on March 17th, 1909, after attaining seventy-seven years of age. He was associated with Primitive Methodism all his life. The relation of the family to Methodism goes much further back than the birth of our own Church. It was in the home of one of his forbears that the founders of Methodism obtained rest as they went through the marshes of Lincolnshire.

When twenty-two years of age Brother Allison was converted. He immediately joined our North Somercotes Society and was soon made a class leader, an office he filled to the time of his death. He was also quickly chosen to proclaim the Evangel, and for fifty-two years served as a local preacher.

It was not until a few months before the end that he manifested signs of weakness. From his cottage on the sea bank, and in sight of the ocean he had loved all his days, he went out to meet his Pilot face to face. 

He was buried in the green churchyard on the Sabbath after his decease, amid many signs of respect. The service was conducted by the Rev. C.R. Bower.

He has left one daughter and three sons, one of whom fills the prophetic office and has been chosen to succeed his father as class leader.

Family

Christopher was born abt1832 at Theddlethorpe, Lincolnshire, to parents Frow Allison and Mary Addison. He was baptised on 26 February 1832 at Theddlethorpe – St. Helen. His father died before the 1841 census leaving his mother described as a pauper.

Census returns identify the following occupations for Christopher.

• 1851 agricultural labourer
• 1861 carter & Methodist local preacher
• 1871 freehold cottager of 3 acres & PM local preacher
• 1881 cottager & 2nd captain of lifeboat
• 1891 farmer & PM local preacher
• 1901 farmer

He married Ellen Stubbs (1832-1882) in the spring of 1863 in the Louth Registration District, Lincolnshire. Census returns identify four children.

• Charles (abt1865-1928) – a wheelwright (1911)
• Joseph (1869-1944) – a general labourer (1901); a farmer (1911)
• Christopher (1871-1911) – a fisherman (1911)
• Jane (1875-1959) – a domestic housekeeper (1911)

Christopher died on 17 March 1909 at Theddlethorpe, Lincolnshire.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1909/658

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers