Beasley, Jonathan (1824-1910)

Transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by John S Buckley

The Stewkley Circuit has within the past few weeks suffered great and irreparable loss by the death of three* of its most esteemed and devoted local preachers.

Jonathan Beasley had resided all his life in the village, and had attained the ripe age of 86 years when called to his rest. He was converted in the early years of manhood, and giving evidence of usefulness was soon placed upon the plan of what was then the Aylesbury Circuit. His manual labour as a well-sinker was often most exhausting, but this did not deter him from taking long journeys on the Sabbath in his loved work of preaching. It was no uncommon thing for him to walk thirty miles on the Sunday and preach three times. He put the best into the service, and led many to the feet of the Saviour that he himself loved so well. The later months of his life were spent in much weakness and suffering, but his witness to the truth was unfaltering, and he passed in triumph to his reward.

Family

Jonathan was born abt1824 at Stewkley Buckinghamshire, to parents John, who worked the land, and Rebecca.

Census returns identify the following occupations for Jonathan.

• 1841 agricultural labourer
• 1851 agricultural labourer
• 1861 agricultural labourer
• 1871 agricultural labourer & P Methodist local preacher   
• 1881 farm labourer
• 1891 bootmaker
• 1901 ordinary labourer on parish relief

He married Eliza Taylor (abt1820-1869) on 30 November 1845 at Wing, Buckinghamshire. Census returns identify five children.

• Henry (b abt1848)
• Ann (b abt1851) – a straw plaiter (1871); married William Mead, a general labourer (1881), in 1872
• Betsy (abt1853-1906) – a straw plaiter (1871); married John Rowe, a labourer (1901), in 1873
• George (1856-1899) – a labourer (1881)
• Sarah Rebecca (b abt1859)

He married Sarah Prentice, nee Bates (1831-1897) in late 1877 in the Winslow Registration District, Buckinghamshire.   

He married Ann Keasey, nee Stapleton (1837-1914) in late 1899 in the Winslow Registration District, Buckinghamshire.   

Jonathan died in early 1910 at Stewkley, Buckinghamshire.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1910/827

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Register

* The three referred to here are Jonathan, Edward Beasley & Thomas Pitkin whose obituaries are together in the 1910 Magazine.