Forman, Elizabeth (nee Pearce) (1821-1908)

Transcription of Obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by Mark Knowlson

MRS. ELIZABETH FORMAN, of the Barwell Society, in the Hinckley Circuit, was converted in early youth and maintained an unbroken connection with our Church for more than fifty years. The best part of her more active life was spent in Birmingham, where, with her husband, she did much to promote the cause of Christ.

She was pre-eminently pious and generous, loved the means of grace, and was never absent except when prevented by affliction and the feebleness of age.

Her home was ever open to ministers and local preachers, and her constant talk was of God’s gracious love and power. Public prayer meetings were regularly held in her house on Wednesday afternoon, and none can tell how much the church at Barwell is indebted to the enthusiasm of those who attended them. She gave a yearly subscription of £1 1s. to the Missionary Society, for which she steadfastly refused to accept any thanks, saying, “It is the Lord’s.” One of her last acts was to promise £5 to the Centenary Fund and to give £5 to the Organ Fund.

When she celebrated the last anniversary of her birth she invited all the senior members of the Society to her house. There was general rejoicing and the festivities of the day closed with an old time prayer meeting.

Her last affliction was painful, but brief. From the first she realised that there was no hope of recovery, but her confidence was in God. A last message to the Church was left with her son-in-law, a much-esteemed local preacher and class leader. Large numbers attended her funeral. The writer gave a brief address and interred her amid many tokens of sorrow, in the graveyard of the village of Stapleton. “She rests from her labours and her works follow with her.”

Family

Elizabeth was born in 1821 at Much Wenlock, Shropshire, to parents Charles, a wheelwright, and Sarah. She was baptised on 1 April 1821 at Much Wenlock.

She married John Forman (1828-1892), a baker, in early 1856 at Birmingham, Warwickshire. Census returns identify three children.