Devenish, Joseph (1851-1916)

Transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by John Redhead

In the spring of 1916, Joseph Devenish came to reside in Hillsbro’, and identified himself with the Church at Woodland View. The cause was low, and great hopes were awakened by his advent. A serious illness seized him, against which he bravely struggled. He bore his illness as he had lived his life.

For many years he had been a local preacher in the Motcombe Circuit; the long distances often entailing the arrival at home in the early hours of Monday morning. He afterwards came to London, joined the Church Army, entered their training college, and became a missioner. This work was congenial, but the restrictions of that organization became irksome to him, and he returned to the Methodist fold. In the ’eighties he returned to Sheffield, and joined the John Street Church where, as class leader and local preacher, he rendered excellent service. In 1916 he retired from his farm and came to reside at Hillsbro’, but the retirement was soon followed by the call “Come up higher.”

Family

Joseph was born in the summer of 1851 at Sydling St. Nicholas, Dorset, to parents Edward Devenish, who worked the land (1861), and Elizabeth Samways.

Census returns identify the following occupations for Joseph.

1861 work on farm
1871 agricultural labourer
1881 carter
1891 carter & cow keeper
1901 farmer
1911 farmer

He married Esther Frost (1852-1925) in the summer of 1873 at Sheffield, Yorkshire. Census returns identify three of four children.

Sarah Ann (1876-1949) – married George Clifton Fisher, a commercial traveller (1911), in 1900
Edward (1878-1956) – a domestic chauffeur (1911)
Lily (abt1896-1923) – a car driver (1921)

Joseph died on 3 November 1916 at Sheffield, Yorkshire.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1917/807

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers