Bailey, Sarah (nee Brooks) (1835-1913)

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

Our Cloud Society has suffered a great loss by then decease of Mrs. Sarah Bailey, who passed peacefully to the higher service on February 9th, 1913, in the seventy-ninth year of her age. Mrs. Bailey had been associated with Cloud society all her long life as scholar, teacher, and class leader, and rendered faithful and ungrudging service.

Born a Primitive Methodist, her family and her husband’s family were mainly instrumental in the building of the Cloud chapel, which is the oldest in the Connexion, and her husband, who was a carpenter and wheelwright by trade, constructed the coffin in which the mortal remains of the venerable Hugh Bourne were laid to rest. Mrs. Bailey was always present at the services, both Sunday and week-day. Her class, too, was very dear to her, and she was a most faithful and conscientious leader. Many a preacher has been helped by her subdued but fervent responses in the public service.

The end came suddenly. Mrs. Bailey leaves behind a son and a daughter who are also associated with our Cloud society, and it is a joy to record that her grand-daughter is taking up much of the work that was so dear to our sister’s heart. She will be long and tenderly remembered.

Family

Sarah was born abt1835 at Leekfrith, Staffordshire, to parents Thomas Brooks, a mason (1835), and Mary Downes. She was baptised on 19 April 1835 St Lawrence, Rushton Spenser.

In 1851 Sarah was a servant at the Bailey family home at Wolfe Lowe, Rushton James, Staffordshire. This is about 1/2 mile from Cloud Chapel.

She married Moses Bailey (1817-1892), a wheelwright (1851) and later a farmer, on 21 November 1852 at St Edward, Leek, Staffordshire. Census returns identify seven children.

Mary (1852-1943) – married William Pickford, a general labourer (1901), in 1876
Margaret (1853-1927) – married William Chaddock, a coal miner (1911), in 1878
Jane (1855-1930) – married Ralph Holland, a farmer (1911), in 1883
Hannah (1857-1930) – married John Woodward, a farmer (1911), in 1879
Nathan (1860-1937) – a wheelwright (1911)
Matthew (abt1864-1937) – a blacksmith (1891)
Ann (1868-1948) – a housekeeper (1891); married Joseph Baddeley, a farmer (1911), in 1898

Sarah died on 9 February 1913 at Rushton James, Staffordshire.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1913/498

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

Note: In online records the surname spellings Bayley and Bailey are equally found.