Baldwin, Esther (nee Hobday) (1842-1915)

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Transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine 

By the passing of Mrs. T. Baldwin our Selly Oak Church (Birmingham III. Circuit) has lost one of its oldest and most devoted members. Born at Bromsgrove in 1843, her early religious training was received in the Anglican Church, but on removing to Selly Oak, nearly fifty years ago, she was soundly converted, and became a typical Methodist. She delighted in worship, believed in the prayer meeting, was regular at the class, and was always ready to witness for Christ. Her association with her fellow members was of the happiest kind. She ever supported God’s cause, and extended hospitality to the preacher to the best of her ability. In the district she was well known and highly respected, and in the home she was a faithful wife and good mother. 

She suffered some time, but her faith never wavered, and on August 22nd she entered peacefully into life. The funeral was conducted by Rev. T.A. Kelley, assisted by Messrs. E. Wakeman and W.J. Short. A memorial service was held on September 5th.

Family

Esther was born in late 1842 at Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, to parents John Hobday, a farm labourer (1851), and Hannah Brown. She was baptised on 29 January 1843 at Bromsgrove.

The 1861 census return records Esther as a nurse servant.

She married Thomas Baldwin (1848-1919), a plumber’s brass founder (1871) and later a greengrocer (1881), in the spring of 1870 in the Kings Norton Registration District, Worcestershire. Census returns identify four children.

• Henry (1871-1895) – a chocolate mixer 91891)
• Hannah Maria (1873-1922)
• Thomas (1876-1925) – a printer (1901)
• Emma (1879-1894)

Esther died on 22 August 1915 at Selly Oak, Worcestershire.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1915/999

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers