Eccles, Joseph (1836-1910)

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1911

Transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by W. Eccles

Mr. Joseph Eccles, the writer’s father, was born in 1836, at Escrick, Yorks. Converted in 1866, from then until his death, December 17th, 1910, he was a consistent and active member of our Church. For many years he did valuable service as Class Leader, Sunday School Secretary, and especially as Local Preacher. He was in great request for the pulpits of various denominations.

During his lengthened period of labour he saw many conversions. From his sermon-journal I find that he preached in the Circuit Chapel at Tadcaster no fewer than three hundred and twenty-times. He had a good grasp of the essentials of Methodist Theology, and his own witness to the saving power of Christ was definite and certain. His Circuit on four occasions honoured him by sending him as delegate to District Meeting. Once also he was District Committee delegate to District Meeting, and he was a member of the Hull Conference of 1881.

During the last few years his health failed to some extent, and broke down completely after mother’s death in November, 1909. Nearly fifty years they had travelled together in happy married life, helpers of each other in both temporal and eternal matters. All their children are earnest Primitive Methodist workers.

In his thirteen months’ illness father took a keen and constant interest in Connexional life. He longed to work again if it might be God’s will, but was fully ready to go. He knew Him to whom he had entrusted everything for so long; and just before Christmas, went to be with the Lord in light. His remains were laid to rest in the Tadcaster Cemetery (of which he had been the curator for thirty-four years), the Revs. J.P. Osborne, J. Pearson, and J. Olliver conducting the funeral. A Memorial Service was conducted on Sunday, January 8th, the Rev. J. Olliver preaching an appropriate sermon.

Family

Joseph was born in 1836 at Escrick, Yorkshire, to parents Robert, who worked the land, and Mary. He was baptised on 11 September 1836 at Escrick.

Census returns identify the following occupations for Joseph.

1851 scholar
1861 potter
1871 potter
1881 cemetery keeper
1891 superintendent of cemetery
1901 curator of cemetery

He married Rachel Chappell (1840-1909) on 21 January 1860 at Howdenshire, Yorkshire. Census returns identify seven children.

Mary (1860-1935) – married George Almack, a farmer, in early 1884; married George Cross, a carpenter (1911), in 1908
Charles (1865-1960) – a solicitor’s clerk (1901)
Wilson (1867-1952) – a PM minister
Frances Harriett (1869-1937) – a school mistress (1891); married John Swinden, a PM minister, in 1897
Rachel Elizabeth (1873-1940) – a dressmaker (1911)
Joshua Maylott (1876-1926) – a maltster’s clerk (1911)
Ruth Christina (1882-1968) – school teacher (1939)

Joseph died on 17 December 1910 at Tadcaster, Yorkshire.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1911/320

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers