Austin, Thomas (1840-1909)

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1909

Transcription of Obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by Alfred Smith

MR. T. AUSTIN was born at Hannington Highworth, November 25th, 1842. His early life was thoughtless and trifling. Going one Sunday evening to the Primitive Methodist Chapel with some others to have “much fun,” the words of the preacher struck home, and under deep conviction he came to the penitent form. His conversion led to the connection of the whole family with our Church.

Our brother became a local preacher at the age of nineteen years, and has done a great amount of good work in this circuit and Faringdon. Mr. Austin was of genial and kindly disposition, and generally beloved. He was hardly ever absent from the public services. His illness was of very brief duration. He leaves a widow and some grown-up children to mourn his loss. The funeral was largely attended, and sincere respect paid to his memory.

The writer conducted a memorial service, when many friends spoke of his early devotion to the Church. 

For twenty years he was superintendent of the Sunday School, and played the harmonium for a long time at our Highworth Society. His cheerful, faithful life is greatly missed by the family and church.

Family

Thomas was born on 25 November 1840 at Hannington, Highworth, Wiltshire, to parents Robert, a carpenter, and Elizabeth. he was baptised on 6 December 1840 at Hannington.

Thomas spent his working life as a baker.

He married Selina Ford (1844-1911) in the spring of 1863 in the Highworth Registration District, Wiltshire. Census returns identify six children.

  • Frederick Thomas Ford (b1866) – a baker (1881)
  • Elizabeth Jane (1868-1876)
  • Robert Ernest (1870-1937) – a refreshment room keeper (1911)
  • Florence Selina (abt1876-1940) – married William Henry Watts, a picture frame maker, confectioner, tobacconist and general dealer (1911), in 1895
  • Lily Beatrice (1879-1954) – married Antliff Richard Smith, a railway clerk (1911), in 1902
  • Thomas James (1882-1929) – a baker (1911)

Thomas died on 11 March 1909 at Highworth, Wiltshire. He was buried on 17 March 1909.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1909/658

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

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