Fletcher, Joseph (1828-1912)

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

Born in 1828 our highly esteemed brother early made himself acquainted with our church, and laboured in various sections of this station. Ultimately he joined the society at Prince’s End, in 1868, serving as a Sunday School worker. Becoming a trustee, he, together with others, made himself responsible for a debt of £400, which he laboured ardently to remove.

Peaceful and unassuming, he could always be relied upon to give good counsel in church and school work. As a citizen he was greatly respected and honoured, and they loved him most who knew him best.

After serving the Prince’s End church and school for nearly forty-three years he passed peacefully away on October 26th, 1912, to his well deserved rest.

Family

Joseph was born in 1828 at Tipton, Staffordshire, to parents William Fletcher, a stone miner (1841), and Rachel Turner.

Census returns identify the following occupations for Joseph.

1851 miner
1861 labourer
1871 coal miner
1881 coal miner
1891 coal miner
1911 no occupation

He married Sarah Haynes (abt1832-1887) in the summer of 1852 at Sedgeley, Staffordshire. Census returns identify six children.

William (1853-1924) – a coal miner (1911)
Joseph (1857-1939) – a coal miner (1911)
Mary (1859-1931) – married Thomas Meakins in 1887
Paul (abt1862-1907) – a coal miner (1901)
George (b1867) – not identified after 1881
Hannah (1872-1947) – married John Henry Ellis, a carpenter & joiner (1911), in 1892

He married Nancy Pritchard (abt1831-1906) in late 1890 in the Dudley Registration District, Staffordshire.

Joseph died on 26 October 1912 at Princes End, Coseley, Staffordshire.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1913/497

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers