Evans, Henry (1840-1914)

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Transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by J.K.

The little cause at Elsecar, Hoyland Circuit, has suffered a great loss by the death of Brother H. Evans. Born at Elsecar seventy-three years ago, until mid-life he was a stranger to God. Drink was his bane. When he sought marriage with her who now mourns his loss a twelve-months’ test of sobriety was imposed upon him, and during that time he was converted.

On his marriage he joined the Church with which his wife was already connected at Elsecar. He soon became society steward and held the position for twenty-three years. He loved God’s house, and allowed nothing but the imperative duties of his calling to prevent his attendance. His enjoyment of worship and the ministry of the word was evident.

The end came sooner than either he or his friends anticipated. His brief illness took an alarming form and he passed into the higher service on January 4th. The funeral service and the memorial service on the following Sunday were conducted by Rev. J. Keightley.

Family

Henry was born abt1840 at Elsecar, Yorkshire.

Census returns identify the following occupations for Henry.

• 1861 labourer at coal mine
• 1881 railway engine driver
• 1891 railway engine driver
• 1901 railway engine driver
• 1911 stationary colliery engineman

He married Sophia Dodson, nee Easthope, nee Nock (1853-1931) in the summer of 1880 in the Rotherham Registration District, Yorkshire. Census returns identify three children. Sophia had two living children by previous marriages at the time of her marriage to Henry.

• Thomas Henry (1882-1969) – a coal miner (1911); a colliery deputy (1939)
• Annie (1885-1964) – married Alphonzo Whittlestone, a coal miner (1911), in 1902
• Lily Nock (1890-1891)

Henry died on 4 January 1914 at Elsecar, Yorkshire.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1914/332

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers