Gardner, Martha (nee Young) (1848-1913)

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Transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by E. Campbell

Mrs. Thomas Gardner, of our Lemington Church, was a most devout Christian and an energetic worker. Converted at Blaenavon, she joined our church when eighteen years of age, and for forty-eight years maintained an unbroken membership. In 1873 Mr. and Mrs. Gardner removed from Monmouthshire to Pegswood Colliery, Northumberland, thence to Low Fell, Gateshead, and for twenty years they have resided in Lemington. At each place Mrs. Gardner worked hard and gave liberally to the cause. At the time of her fatal illness she was busily engaged in working for the extinction of the debt at Lemington. 

Of a retiring disposition, she was hospitable, kindly, and charitable. The secret of her usefulness was her goodness. Of ripe piety and a rich experience of divine grace, she was gifted with rare natural abilities; a woman of deep insight and sound judgment. Her memory will be cherished by those who met with her in the society class meeting. When health permitted she was seldom absent from the services of the sanctuary. 

Mrs. Gardner died suddenly on February 18th, 1913, and a memorial service was held in the Lemington church. We pray that much grace and consolation may be with the husband and family.

Family

Martha was born in 1848 at Pitcombe, Somerset, to parents William, a miner, and Letita. She was baptised on 20 August 1848 at Pitcombe.

She married Thomas Gardner (1844-1925), a coal miner, on 18 September 1865 at Llanfoist, Monmouthshire. Census returns identify eleven of twelve children.

• Mary Elizabeth (abt1867-1940) – married Oliver Webster, a miner, in 1883; died in New Zealand
• Thomas (1868-1932) – a coal miner; died in New Zealand
• William James (1870-1947) – a coal miner (1901)
• Benjamin (1872-1952) – labourer in steelworks (1901); died in New Zealand
• Letitia (1875-1949) – married Matthew Grissenthwaite Atkinson, a colliery blacksmith (1911), in 1895
• Richard (1876-1895) – a pony driver in coal mine (1891)
• Eliza (1879-1946) – married James Stanley Murray, a joiner (1901), in 1900; died in Australia
• Emmiline (1881-1882)
• John (b1882) – an apprentice metal moulder (1901)
• Jonah (1885-1957) – lance corporal in Royal Engineers (1911); died in New Zealand
• Isaac (1886-1863) – a colliery labourer (1911); a store man (1928); died in New Zealand

Martha died on 18 February 1913 at Lexington, Northumberland.

Thomas emigrated to New Zealand after Martha died.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1913/415

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers