Bragginton, Phoebe (nee Hughes, nee Perry) (1829-1907)

Transcription of Obituary in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by J.C. Livesey

Phoebe Bragginton was born at Brierley Hill, in Staffordshire, on July 13th, 1829. Her father was a local preacher, and her mother was a godly woman (William and Jane Perry); hence, she was brought up under godly influences, and was often heard to refer to the happy times she had spent in the Sunday School and Church there. She has been twice married, both times in Dudley Church. Her first husband was Mr. William Hughes, to whom she was united on December 22nd, 1850, but he was killed by a fall of coal in the mine where he worked, on June 4th, 1859, leaving her a widow with three boys and one girl. Her second husband was Mr. Charles Bragginton, to whom she was married on July 27th, 1863, and her family was increased by three boys and three girls. Of her ten children seven are left with her husband to mourn her loss.

She joined Rehoboth Society twenty years ago, during a revival mission conducted by Mr. and Mrs. Evans (the latter being better known as the Gipsy Lass, and sister of the well-known Free Church Council Evangelist, Gipsy Smith). Religion was more than a mere form to her, it was life – meat and drink, – unstinted pleasure, a fountain of continuously flowing blessing. She was not a demonstrative Christian, but one whose gentleness, sympathy, uprightness, and Christlikeness, impressed you more and more, the longer you knew her. Her profession of religion was one to be seen in the life she lived, yet when in her class meeting her verbal testimony was clear, rich and confident, and brightly cheerful.

To get into private conversation with her on good things was a treat, and a real spiritual feast. The writer of this memoir visited her during her last and a previous illness, and was uplifted by her strong grip of the glorious verities of our faith, – by her calm readiness for the Master’s call and will. Truly it was a foretaste of heaven to listen to her witness for Jesus.

On Sunday, May 26th, she became unconscious at 11 p.m. and quietly passed away to the home of the redeemed on Monday afternoon at 3.45. Prior to losing consciousness on the Sabbath evening, her family and friends sang her favourite hymns for her: “Safe in the arms of Jesus,” “Lead kindly Light,” and “When I survey the wondrous Cross.” She was interred at Scholemoor Cemetery on Friday, May 31st, in the presence of a large company of relations and friends, after an impressive service in Rehoboth Church. A memorial service was held on the following Sunday morning, conducted by the writer.

Family

Phoebe was baptised on 2 August 1829 at Brierley Hill, Staffordshire.

She married William Hughes (abt1830-1859), a coal miner, on 22 December 1850 at Dudley, Staffordshire. Census returns identify four children.

• William (abt1852-1935) – a hawker (pots) (1901)
• Maria (abt1854-1884) – a worsted spinner (1871); married Ralph Hudson Winder in 1880
• Edward (1856-1935) – an iron moulder (1911)
• Samuel (abt1859-1914) – a coal miner (1871); a yarn scourer (1911)

She married Charles Bragginton (1839-1926), a labourer, on 27 July 1863 at Dudley, Staffordshire.  Census returns identify four of six children.

• Henry Thomas (1863-1919) – a bill poster (1911)
• Phoebe Ann (abt1866-1955) – married William Edward Brumpton, an egg merchant (1911), in 1892
• Charles Joseph (1868-1948) – a railway waggon repairer (1911)
• Sarah Jane (abt1873-1936) – a worsted weaver (1911)

Phoebe died on 27 May 1907 at Bradford, Yorkshire.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1907/745

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers