Fletcher, Emily (nee Cussons) (1835-1910)

Transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by Alex. R. Walsham

In the passing of Mrs. Fletcher, widow of the late Rev. T. Fletcher, there has gone one of the sweetest and ripest of Christians. Born of devout parents, she was nurtured in the fear and admonition of the Lord. Married to Thomas Fletcher in 1859, they travelled at Ilkeston, Crowford, Wellow, Sheffield, Nottingham, Leicester, Winster, Horncastle (twice), Donington, Derby, Alfreton, Newtown, and Market Rasen. Both are laid to rest in the cemetery of the latter town. Seven years after her husband’s decease, Mrs. Fletcher went to reside at Lincoln, and was associated with Portland Place Church. In April, 1908, she and one of her daughters came to Saltfleetby, near Louth, where she spent her eventide.

Of cheerful disposition, well informed.and of ready wit, well versed in the secrets of the spiritual life, she could guide, comfort, and instruct others. For several months she was failing, and on September 17th, 1910, sank to rest. Her days had been solaced by the loving and tender ministry of one of her daughters. At her request, her sons and daughters wore a bow of white ribbon and strewed flowers on the path to the grave. Four members of our church bore her remains to the tomb.

Family

Emily was born on 6 August 1835 at Horncastle, Lincolnshire, to parents John Cussons, a miller & baker (1851), and Elizabeth Jackson. She was baptised on 2 September at the Wesleyan methodist Chapel, Horncastle.

She married Thomas Fletcher (1828-1890), a PM minister, on 28 April 1859 at the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, Horncastle. Census returns identify nine children.

Sarah Elizabeth (b1860)
Emily Annie (1862-1930) – married George Gilbert Bett, a dairy farmer
Frances Lucilla (1865-1956) – an evangelist (1911)
Ebenezer James (1868-1959) – a shoeing smith
Edwin Arthur (1869-1948) – an assurance agent
Florence Edith (1871-1962) – married Frederic Reynoldson Crowder, a manager for wire manufacturers (1911)
Samuel Thomas (b1873)
Percy Wallis (1876-1937) – a storekeeper
Pattie Laura (1879-1958) – married Herbert Seneschall, an assurance agent

Emily died on 17 September 1910 at Saltfleetby, Lincolnshire.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1911/158

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers