Everett, Caleb (1836-1914)

Transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine J.G.B.

Mr. Caleb Everett was born at Shipham, Norfolk, August 14th, 1836. The growth of his family and the lack of opportunities for their advancement caused him to remove to Stockton in 1872. Here he entered one of the shipyards and continued at his employment until he was seventy-five years of age. He was a member at first of the Paradise Row Church, but, when the mission was started in Ware Street, he took up his membership with the pioneer cause, and through all the years was closely identified with the society, first in Ware Street, then in Norton Road and finally at Victoria Avenue. For fourteen years he was the steward of the society, and for twelve years he was the Sunday school superintendent.

The “father” of the church he came to be. Three years ago the members of the Victoria Avenue Church Presented a golden wedding gift to Mr. and Mrs. Everett. They have three sons, three daughters, nineteen grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. His eldest son, Mr. Fred Everett, has been the superintendent of the Victoria Avenue Sunday school for many years. Mr. Caleb Everett had a deep and joyous religious life. He loved the means of grace, and his influence in the Church was of the happiest kind.

Great sympathy is felt for his widow, who is an invalid, and with his sorrowing family. A large company attended his interment in the Durham Road Cemetery on Monday, October 12th. The service in the Victoria Avenue Church was conducted by the Revs. Emerson Phillipson and the present writer. We magnify the grace of God in him. He was a good man, a true commendation of the Gospel of Jesus.

Family

Caleb was born on 14 August 1914 at Shipdham, Norfolk, to parents William Everett, a thatcher (1861), and Charlotte Watts. he was baptised on 11 September 1836 at Shipdham.

Census returns identify the following occupations for Caleb.

1861 thatcher
1871 thatcher & farmer of 4 acres employing one man
1881 labourer
1891 labourer in shipyard
1901 shipyard labourer
1911 labourer shipyard

He married Elizabeth Leggatt (1833-1915) in late 1861 in the Mitford Registration District, Norfolk. Census returns identify six children.

Ellen Sarah (1862-1935) – a domestic servant (1881); married William Lipscombe, a labourer (1911), in 1883
Frederick (1864-1955) – a wood sawyer (1911)
Walter (b1866) – a ship joiner (1891)
Clara (1869-1917) – married William Shield, an engineer (1891), in 1888; married Henry Herbert Grey, a foreman (1911), in 1903
Jabez (1871-1943) – a watchmaker (repairing) (1911)
Edith Emily (1875-1952)

Caleb died in October 1914 at Stockton on Tees, Co. Durham.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1914/915

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers