Gill, Robert (1839-1913)

Transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by J.W.L.

A great loss has been experienced by the Wigan Station in the death of its devoted and much beloved steward, Mr, Robert Gill, on September 14th, at the age of seventy-four. Mr. Gill was well known locally, and for fifty-one years had been the tenant of the well-known Giant’s Hall Farm. He joined our Church when he was seventeen years of age. At eighteen he was appointed steward of the Carr House Lane Society in the Chorley Circuit, which office he held until his removal to the Wigan Circuit in 1862, when he joined the Society at Crooke. There he was at once appointed society steward, and held the office up to the time of his death, a period of fifty-one years.

Fourteen years ago he was also appointed circuit steward, and during all the years he ever had a warm place in the esteem of his brethren. His farm was always a preacher’s home— hospitable, sunny and welcome. In this Mrs. Gill and members of their family were all in hearty accord. For many years also he took a very active part both in the Sunday School and the choir.

His personality, generous sympathy and cheery presence will be keenly missed in our village church at Crooke, and indeed throughout the entire Circuit. His counsel and foresight in every time of need could always be depended upon and was full of the Christly spirit.

The funeral took place on Sept. 16th. A brief service was conducted in the house by Rev. J.W. Lancaster. The ceremony in the church was conducted by Revs. C.C. Goodall and J.W. Lancaster, the latter also reading the service at Wrightington Parish Church. Later memorial services were conducted at Crooke by the writer, and at Central Hall by Rev. F.M. Ridge.

Family

Robert was born abt1839 at Wrightington, Lancashire, to parents Joseph Gill, a farmer (1841), and Ann Berry.

Census returns identify the following occupations for Robert.

1851 scholar
1861 farmer’s son
1871 farmer of 30 acres employing 1 man and 2 boys
1881 farmer of 110 acres
1891 farmer
1901 farmer
1911 farmer

He married Mary Astley (1839-1928) in early 1862 in the Wigan Registration District, Lancashire. Census returns identify four of six children.

Ellen (1864-1923) – married Daniel Farrimond, an insurance agent (1901), in 1898
Susannah (1866-1943) – married Thomas Bond, a brewery book-keeper (1891), in 1889; married Robert James Ingram, a street superintendent (1911), in 1904; married Thomas Fairhurst, a colliery underground contractor (1921), in 1917
Ann (b1868) – married William Thorburn Lord, a sub estate agent (1901), in 1893
Jane (b1870) – married Robert Lutterworth Lord, a farmer, in 1897

Robert died on 14 September 1913 at Giant’s Hall, Standish, Lancashire.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1914/242

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

Note: Early census records, up to 1871, have the surname as Guill.