Gibbs, Emma (nee Spenceley) (1827-1912)

Transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by G.P.

On May 24th, in her eighty-fourth year, Emma Gibbs quietly passed away at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Sheppard, Northampton.

From her early years she preserved an honoured and unbroken connection with our Church. She was a member of our West Street Church, Hull, and met in the class of the venerable William Clowes. In 1850 she removed to Northampton, where she became the wife of the late Mr. George Gibbs, and was a member at Horsemarket until Mr. Gibbs removed to London, when they joined our people at Elim Chapel, Fetter Lane. In the course of time Mr. Gibbs opened a mission in Cole Street, the Borough, and they worshipped there until the struggling cause was removed to what had been a Catholic Apostolic Church in Trinity Street. When our people disposed of that edifice she joined our Church in Wareham Street, Kennington Park.

The funeral service, held in Kettering Road Chapel, in the work of which she and her family had taken such an active part, was conducted by the Revs. J.H. Saxton and George Parkin.

Family

Emma was born in 1827 at Hull, Yorkshire, to parents John and Alice. She was baptised on 3 November 1827 at All Saints, Sculcoates.

She married George Gibbs (1820-1871), a shoemaker (1851) in late 1850 at Northampton, Northamptonshire. Census returns identify two of four children. George had two children from a previous marriage.