Edwards, Richard (1833-1916)

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Transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by T. Maland

Another link with the heroic and romantic early days of our Church was snapped on the morning of Monday, November 27th, when Richard Edwards passed away to his well-earned rest in the Lord, after eighty – three years on earth. In the morning of his life he gave his heart to God, and joined our Maesbrook Church on the Llanymynech Circuit. At the March Quarterly Meeting in 1857, he was called to be a preacher, and for sixty years he faithfully served, as teacher and preacher, the Church he loved so dearly.

His last days were full of excruciating pain, but amid it all he never ceased to pray for the welfare of Zion. For fifty-four years his wife encouraged and helped him in his Christian activities, and though she and their five sons and two daughters mourn his loss, they confidently and patiently await the glorious re-union on the “other side.”

Family

Richard was born abt1833 at Knockin, Shropshire, to parents Edward Edwards and Elizabeth. He was baptised on 28 April 1833 at Knockin, Shropshire.

Census returns identify the following occupations for Richard.

• 1861 carter
• 1871 horse driver
• 1881 gardener
• 1891 gardener domestic
• 1901 gardener (domestic)
• 1911 late gardener – old age pensioner

He married Mary Jones (b abt1843) in he summer of 1862 in the Oswestry Registration District, Shropshire. Census returns identify nine of 13 children

• Robert (b1863) – a coal hewer underground (1901)
• Joseph (1865-1934)  – a coal dealer (1891)
• John (b1868)
• Samuel (b1869) – a railway inspector (1901)
• Mary Harriet (b1873) – laundress (1911)   
• Richard Arthur (b1877) – iron worker (1891)
• Margaret Hannah (b1878)
• Lily Gertrude (1881-1881)
• Jonathan Ewart A (1882-1971) – railway porter (1901)        

Richard died on 27 November 1916 in the Brighouse Circuit, Yorkshire.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1917/441

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers