Corfield, Sarah (nee Hughes) (1844-1904)

Transcription of Obituary in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by George Lee

The Whitchurch society, and the family bereaved, have suffered a painful loss in the decease of Mrs. John Corfield, of this town. Sister Corfield was the daughter of pious parents, and enjoyed the unspeakable advantage of godly training. She was converted at the age of sixteen years under the evangelical and earnest ministry of the late Miss Bennett. A few years later she was joined in matrimony to Mr. John Corfield and became the mother of three sons and five daughters, who now mourn their irreparable loss.

In her home life our sister was most exemplary, and her connection with our Church for a period of over forty years, supported by a blameless life, has been of unspeakable worth. About a year and a half ago she became the unfortunate subject of a malignant tumour. For a time it was hoped that this was being successfully treated; but medical skill failed. Bravely the sufferer contended with her foe, and till within two hours of her final struggle she entertained hope of recovery. Her sufferings during her last moments were beyond description, but not a murmur escaped her lips. Among her last words were the following:- “I am willing to go if it is the Lord’s will; but for my family’s sake I should like to stay.” “Tell my sons in Africa when you write I am going home;” and “He who has been my refuge in the past is with me now.” . . “Hush, I Call hear the angels’ wings.” She then embraced each member of her family present, and tried to assuage their grief, and besought them to love the Saviour and meet her in Heaven. She then summoned her remaining strength and said, “Now for the last struggle,” and her spirit took its final flight, and so by death our sister escaped from death, and life eternal gained. May our sister’s dying wish be abundantly fulfilled.

Family

Sarah was born abt1844 at Whitchurch, Shropshire, to parents John, a labourer, and Sarah.

Sarah married John Corfield (1848-1923), a builder, in the summer of 1873 at Whitchurch, Shropshire. John had previously been married to Ann Lewis (1850-1869); they had one child who was brought up by his maternal grandparents. Census returns identify John and Sarah having eight children.

  • Sarah (1874-1965) – a clerk to a builder (1901); married Percy Edward Robinson, a master cooper, in 1905
  • John Wesley (1875-1975) – a joiner
  • Mary (1877-1957) – a domestic servant (1901); married Clement Pace, a house painter, in 1901
  • William (1880- – a bricklayer (1901); travelled to South Africa in May 1903
  • Annie Elizabeth (1882-1960) – married Reginald Claude Groom, a baker, in 1903; emigrated to Australia in 1928
  • George (abt1885-1962) – a milk dealer & bricklayer (1911)
  • Rhoda (1887-1949) – married Edwin John Hartshorn in 1922
  • Ethel Hughes (1891-1953) – married James A. Mullock in 1912

Sarah died on 12 November 1904 at Whitchurch, Shropshire.

John married Emma Amelia Whitaker in the spring of 1908 at Barrow-in-Furness.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1905/750

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

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