Evans, Ellen (nee Smith) (1844-1916)

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Transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by G.D.

Our Whittle Brook Church (Walkden Circuit) has suffered a severe loss in the decease of Ellen Evans, beloved wife of William Evans, the society steward. Mrs. Evans, with her husband, had been attached to our Whittle Brook cause since its inception, which is some forty years ago. In her home she always gave a warm welcome to the preachers, to whom she showed the truest hospitality. To know her was to love her. She was kindly and sympathetic; a lady to the manner born; one of God’s choice souls. She was treasurer of the B.W.T.A. (Walkden Branch) for about thirty’ years. 

Mrs. Evans passed away on June 27th, 1916, in her seventy-third year, after a long illness. The funeral service was held in our Whittle Brook Church, where the Revs. R.W.B. Whiteway, L.J. Jackson, G. Dash and R.W. Ferguson took part. The remains were interred in Monton Unitarian Churchyard.

Mrs. Evans leaves a husband, six daughters and one son to bemoan the loss of their dearest earthly friend. Her memory is precious and fragrant.

Family

Ellen was born in the spring of 1844 at Worsley, Lancashire, to parents John Smith, a farmer (1851), and Mary Leigh.

She married William Evans (abt1837-1928), who worked the land (1871), in early 1867 in the Barton upon Irwell Registration District, Lancashire. Census returns identify eight of nine children.

• Mary Leigh (1867-1952) – married John Thomas Sherlock, a mill foreman (1901), in 1891
• Elizabeth (1879-1956) – married James Halliday, a Co-op grocery manager (1911), in 1895
• Smith (b1871) – only identified in the 1871 census return
• Ettie Jane (1873-1950) – married Walter Edwin Walker, an engineer’s clerk (1911), in 1901
• Alice (1875-1948) – married James Cooke, an insurance agent (1911), in 1903
• Ellen (1877-1945)
• Gertrude (1882-1975) – married John Thomas Yates, a watchmaker & optician (1939), in 1907
• Hubert (b1885) – a house joiner (1911)

Ellen died on 27 June 1916 at Walkden, Lancashire.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1916/928

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers