Bilton, John William (1860-1912)

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Primitive Methodist Magazine 1912

Transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by John Bradley

By the death of John William Bilton on April 11th a name long familiar disappears from the circuit plan. Though only fifty-two years of age he had for considerably more than thirty years been a most efficient and acceptable local preacher. For many years he served his church in the offices of circuit steward, trustee and trust treasurer. But the work of preaching was his delight. He had a high sense of the honour and duty and opportunity which the preaching of the gospel imposes, and he laboured to be a workman that needed not to be ashamed.

As husband, father, friend and neighbour he was almost ideal. His radiant personality enabled him to get quickly into touch with people. Coupled with that naturalness was his deep spirituality by which he could pass from mirth to devotion as the April skies pass from sunshine to refreshing shower. 

His death was tragically sudden. The interment, at the Ripon Cemetery on Monday, April 15th, was conducted by the writer, a service being held previously in our Allhallowgate Church. A large congregation was present, including representatives of the Free Church Council, of which he had been president; also the Ripon Temperance Society, Liberal Federation, and other institutions. Rev. R.H. Auty and Mr. Hutchinson, of Knaresborough, represented the Leeds District Committee.

Family

John was born in the summer of 1860 at Ripon, Yorkshire, to parents Joseph Bilton, a carter (1861), and Mary Ann Robinson.

Census returns identify the following occupations for John.

• 1871 scholar
• 1881 shopman
• 1891 boot & shoe dealer
• 1901 boot dealer & maker
• 1911 boot & shoe dealer (shopkeeper)

He married Mary Jane Blackburn (1855-1933) in late 1885 in the Wharfedale Registration District, Yorkshire. Census returns identify one child.

• John Ewart (1888-1952) – a bank clerk (1911)

John died on 11 April 1912 at Ripon, Yorkshire.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1912/834

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers