Calvert, David, J.P. (1847-1915)

Transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by T.E.

Mr. Calvert was a County Justice of the Peace, and at one time Chairman of the School Board, Rural District Council, Parish Council, and other public bodies.

Born at Crook in 1847, he gave himself to God in his youth. In every department of the church he laboured. As a teacher he held a long service diploma, going back forty-six years. He was choirmaster for thirty years, and as circuit steward he made a deep impression upon the circuit. A man of few words, trusted by his brethren, and loved by all. How strong and true he was! His great heart went out to every case of need.

On September 27th, when it was known that he had suddenly passed away, a feeling of intense loss and sadness passed over the district. In the funeral service Revs. J. Rutherford and A. Westwood, and Messrs. H.J. Mein and J.J. Spoor took part. On October 17th a memorial service was conducted by Rev. J. Rutherford. Much sympathy is felt for his widow and children.

Family

David was born in 1847 at Crook, Co. Durham, to parents Thomas Calvert, a railway station master (1851), and Jane Jackson.

Census returns identify the following occupations for David.

1861 railway clerk
1871 clerk
1881 land steward (fem bailiff)
1891 no occupation recorded
1901 land agent
1911 estate agent

He married Mary Harriet Cobb, nee Proudlock (1848-1905) in late 1866 in the Stockton Registration District, Co. Durham. Census returns identify nine children.

Lily Jackson (1867-1900) – married William Ponting, a coke-yard labourer (1891), in 1889
Elizabeth Jane (1868-1891) – married Joseph Browbank, a coal miner (1891), in 1890
Thomas William (1871-1952) – a gardener (1911); colliery labourer (1939)
David Edwin (1875-1910) – a pupil teacher (1891)
Henry Albert (1878-1924) – a general engineer (1911)
Frederick George (1881-1947) – a blacksmith (1901); emigrated to Australia
John Charles (1885-1929) – a colliery clerk (1901); no occupation (1911); entered Southwark Workhouse in 1921, occupation – cook
Joseph Monkhouse (1888-1959) – a mason – brick and stone (1911)
Euphemia Rose (1891-1967) – married Fred Smith, a grocery7provision manager shopkeeper (1921), in 1912

He married Ada Hawley (b1872) in the summer of 1906 in the Guisborough Registration District, Yorkshire. Census returns identify two children.