Cheshire, John (1828-1910)

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1911

Transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by Nathaniel Watts

Another aged veteran of the Cross of Christ has finished his work, after having served his day and generation faithfully for eighty-two years. Born April 2nd, 1828, in the village of Whitchurch, in the Aylesbury Circuit, when four years old he was sent to our Sunday School, and there he received what education he ever had. Before he arrived at man’s estate, he gave his heart to the Lord and became a teacher and then Superintendent of the School.

His name was placed on the plan during the ministry of the Rev. T. Jackson, forty-seven years ago, since when he has rendered great service as a plain, wholesome preacher. In that wide Circuit, some of the places being fourteen miles from his home, neither distance, snow nor rain daunted Mr. Cheshire. Off he would start travelling the fourteen miles out and back again, sometimes coming home wet through and weary, but rejoicing because he had been enabled to do his duty.

He married the wife who now survives him sixty-one years since, and they lived a happy, long life together, and had a family of thirteen children, eight of whom are still living. Of a very independent disposition, honest, and industrious, believing in helping himself, Mr. Cheshire succeeded so well that he was enabled to spend the latter years of his life without having to work, and has left his widow in comfortable circumstances.

Nearly fifty years since he came to reside in Aylesbury, and about twenty-five years ago he removed to the Tunbridge Wells Circuit to manage Tangier Farm for Mr. Snowden, a thorough-going Primitive, who greatly respected him for his faithfulness to duty. Mr. Cheshire took a very active interest in the Church that was established in an upper room in one of the farm buildings, and which increased and prospered under his and his wife’s fostering care.

About four and a half years since, owing to the weight of his years, he gave up his work and settled at Stoke Mandeville, near Aylesbury. He preached his last sermon in our Church at Aylesbury in October, 1908. His last days were spent in waiting for the Master’s call. He had held nearly all the offices a layman can hold, and had discharged his duties satisfactorily for many years. He was loved for his honesty and straight- forward conduct, his integrity and goodness.

He passed away quietly on the 16th Of December, 1910. The funeral took place on the 21st of December, and was numerously attended. A service was held at his late residence, conducted by the Circuit Minister, Rev. T. Hunter, who also officiated at the grave in the Churchyard at Stoke Mandeville.

And so one after another the fathers pass away to their well-earned rest. May the rising generation worthily fill the places of these departed veterans, and carry forward successfully the work so well begun.

Family

John was born on 2 April 1828 at Whitchurch, Buckinghamshire, to parents Foster, a labourer (1841), and Hannah. He was baptised on 6 April 1828 at Whitchurch.

Census returns identify the following occupations for John.

1851 dealer in rags
1861 agricultural labourer
1871 farm labourer
1881 general labourer
1891 farm bailiff
1901 farm bailiff

He married Jane George (1830-1914) in late 1849 in the Aylesbury Registration District, Buckinghamshire. Census returns identify nine of thirteen children children.

Mary Ann (abt1850-1926) – married George Wheeler, an engineer’s labourer (1901), in 1867
Thomas (1851-1908) – a coal miner (1901)
Hannah (b1853) – married Frederick Miller, a foundry furnace man (1881), in 1871
Harriett (1856-1939) – married Joseph Allen, a carpenters labourer (1891), in 1879
John Foster (1858-1922) – a general labourer (1911)
Julia Ann (1860-1938) – married Nathaniel Watts, a PM minister, in 1884
Alice (1862-1942) – married Henry Howard, an engine driver (1891), in 1881; married James Caple, a boot trade laster (1901), in 1896
George (1867-1934) – a bricklayer (1911)
Frederick James (b1875) – agricultural labourer (1901)

John died on 16 December 1910 at Stoke Mandeville, Buckinghamshire.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1911/408

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers