Carr, George (1840-1913)

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Transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by A. Wood

By the decease of Brother George Carr our Langley society has lost one of the few remaining links with the olden days. For upwards of fifty years he was connected with our Spring Street church. His conversion was a striking one. He was sitting in a public-house when a band of Primitive Methodists passed by, singing “Turn to the Lord and seek salvation.” A deep spiritual impression was made upon him and he left the public-house and followed the singing band to the service in which he gave his heart to God. From that time he manifested great devotion and loyalty in the work of the Church. He became an abstainer and brought up his family as abstainers. When the present church was built in 1872 he became a trustee and made great sacrifices for the Zion he loved. 

At the erection of the Sunday School in 1876 he evinced a similar earnestness. His daily occupation demanded from him one hundred hours a week; yet his attendance at Sabbath and week evening Services was exemplary. By a quiet, confident, Christian life our brother bore his witness to the saving power of Christ, never flagging even in his last illness in his earnest desire to see the work of the Lord prosper. 

His transition came suddenly. A memorial service was conducted by the writer in the Spring Street church. 

Family

George was born in 1840 at Oldbury, Worcestershire, to parents Daniel, a cordwainer, and Frances. He was baptised on 4 December 1842 at Oldbury aged 22 months.

Census returns identify the following occupations for George.

• 1851 scholar
• 1861 iron forge man
• 1871 labourer
• 1881 labourer at alkali works
• 1891 labourer in chemical works
• 1901 chemical labourer
• 1911 pensioner from chemical works

He married Hannah Hodgetts (abt1840-1902) on 17 April 1865 at Christ Church, Quinton, Worcestershire. Census returns identify five children.

• Matilda (1867-1871)
• George Edward (1875-1949) – a coal merchant (1911)
• Annie (b1877) – married Thomas Clarke, a brewer’s labourer (1911), in 1902
• Samuel (1879-1962) – auxiliary postman (1901); postman (1911)
• Daniel (1881-1940) – engine driver (gas) at chemical works (1911)

George died on 18 January 1913 at Langley, Oldbury, Worcestershire.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1913/498

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers