Beasley, Lewis James (1869-1915)

Transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by Wm. Pickering

Lewis James Beasley was born near Thirsk in 1869, and became attached to Primitive Methodism in Darlington when sixteen years of age. Nineteen years ago he removed to Consett to work for the Consett Iron Company.

For eighteen years he preached the Gospel in the pulpits of the Shotley Bridge Circuit with great acceptance. He was president of the Consett C.E. Society for eleven years. On removing to Knitsley he became class leader, Sunday school superintendent, trust secretary, and general adviser. His work in this small society was valuable beyond measure.

After only a few days’ illness he passed away on the last day of 1915. At the funeral service in our Consett Church Rev. W. Pickering spoke in appreciation of his life and work. The body was laid to rest in Benfieldside Cemetery.

Family

Lewis was born in 1869 near Thirsk, Yorkshire, to parents Lewis Beasley, a railway labourer (1871), and Hannah Waggett. He was baptised on 11 May 1873 at Thormanby, Yorkshire.

Census returns identify the following occupations for Lewis.

1881 scholar
1891 steel founder
1901 iron moulder
1911 iron founder

He married Ann Elizabeth Manning (1871-1954) in late 1892 in the Darlington Registration District, Co. Durham. Census returns identify five of six children.

Bertha Harrison (1892-1949) – married Joseph Tomlinson in 1916; married John Hall Lamb, a newsagent (1939), in 1921
Charlotte Emily (1894-1972) – a grocer’s assistant (1911); married Fred Tomlinson in 1921
Walter (1897-1984) – a blacksmith (1921)
Lilian (1900-1987) – grocery assistant (1921); married William H Holin, a colliery hewer (1939), in 1921
Wilfred Lewis (1905-1989) – apprentice iron turner (1921)

Lewis died on 31 December 1915 at Knitsley, Co Durham.

Ann married George Manning in 1937.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1916/860

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers