Ford, Susannah (nee Thompson) (1799-1881)

Transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by G Beale

SUSANNAH FORD, widow of the late Rev. Thomas Ford, died at Newbury, June 2, 1881, in her eighty-third year. She was brought to God early in life through the instrumentality of the Primitive Methodists, joined the Connexion, and was a consistent member upwards of sixty years. No record being kept, and being deprived of her speech for more than six years, we cannot give particulars of many things we should like.

I have known her for these last thirty-three years, had the privilege of travelling with her sainted husband the last two years of his life. I found her to be a very pious, devoted woman, and a kind dear mother to her children. She was particularly kind to the young ministers, and as far as her circumstances would admit delighted in making them comfortable. The Rev. H. Portnall says, ‘I cannot forget her great kindness, her tender sympathy, her loving manner, her genial disposition, her wise counsel, her encouraging words, and her suitable advice to me while I stayed with her. When coming in weary and exhausted after a hard day’s toil, her loving words and sunny presence would cheer and revive my drooping spirit. Her religion was life and power, her heart was always full and flowing like a perennial spring; her tongue was so wont to talk of holy things, that the holy fire would burn until her soul would be set all on fire with love, so that many times I have caught the flame and rejoiced with unspeakable joy.’

She was left a widow thirty-one years with a heavy family, and her means of supporting them very limited; consequently she had many difficulties and trials to pass through. She knew where to look in time of trouble, and He who hath said, ‘Call upon Me in the day of trouble, and I will deliver thee,’ never failed her. The words of her dear husband, which were, ‘Put your trust in God,’ often comforted and sustained her. Her religion shone at home; she always paid attention to the reading of God’s Word and offering up prayer with, and for, the children and the Church. She was very mighty in prayer, not only in the family, but in the house of God, and in the sick chamber. She was often sent for to visit the sick, and was the means of leading some to the Saviour. She was strictly honest; though her means were limited she never allowed herself to be involved.

Just before the writer was superannuated she was smitten down with paralysis and softening of the brain, which rendered her quite helpless and speechless for six years and more. It seemed quite a providence for her that her daughter (my wife) was able to be with her during the time of her affliction, which at times was very painful and distressing. Though deprived of her speech she was sensible and very much enjoyed our devotional exercises. Sometimes she was extremely happy; one time when I was praying with her she was so filled with God, it seemed as though she would pass away under the mighty power. We were in hopes she would have been able, before she passed away, to have spoken to us, but it was not permitted. ‘Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Thy sight.’

Family

Susannah was born abt1799 at Colton, Yorkshire.

She married Thomas Ford (1796-1850), a PM minister, on 6 November 1825 at Sinnington, New Malton, Yorkshire. Census returns identify eight children.

• Thompson (1829-1919) – emigrated to USA in 1861; a moulder (1880)
• Sarah Ann (1833-1911) – married George Beale, a PM minister in 1851
• John (b abt1835)
• Mary (1837-1863) – married William Fulbrook, a police constable (1861), in 1857
• Martha (b abt1840) – a house servant (1861)
• Susannah (b1842)
• Selina (b1844) – a dressmaker (1861)
• Jabez  Frederick (1848-1922) – a PM minister and later a coal merchant 

Susannah died on 2 June 1881 at Newbury, Berkshire.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1883/369

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers