Dodsworth, Clara (nee Chaffer) (1805-1866)

Family

Clara was born in 1805 at Eastrington, Yorkshire.

Her obituary records that Clara was converted in Mill Street chapel, Hull about 1830. She soon became a local preacher. She was appointed to work as a travelling preacher with Rev. W. Howcroft at Patrington, however, the sudden illness and death of her sister prevented her from taking up the appointment.

Her obituary (see attachment) records some of the difficult domestic situations she faced as a minister’s wife in the early days of Jeremiah’s ministry.

She married Jeremiah Dodsworth (1812-1867), a PM Minister, on 3 November 1836 at Sutton on Hull, Yorkshire. Census returns and birth records identify six children.

• John (abt1839-1878) – a commercial clerk (1871)
• Elizabeth (1841-1875) – married Lewis Frederick Armitage, a PM Minister, in 1863
• Jeremiah (1844-1916) – a drapers apprentice (1861); a PM Minister (1863-1874); a Wesleyan Minister from 1874
• Joshua (1846-1847)
• Joshua (1849-1863)
• Jesse (1855-1927) – a publisher’s traveller (1891); a bookseller (1911)

Clara died on 22 August 1866 at Wakefield, Yorkshire, following a long battle with cancer.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1867/167

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers