Gladwin, Stephen (1836-1915)

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

Primitive Methodism, and the churches in West Hartlepool in particular have lost an outstanding figure by the death of Mr. Stephen Gladwin on September 12th, 1915. He began his course at Moseley, near Hetton, over seventy-eight years ago. Much of his youth was spent at Shildon, where, at the age of seventeen, he became a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ, and attached to our Church. Soon his name appeared on the preachers’ plan. Eloquent in speech and powerful in prayer, at the age of twenty-seven he was appointed town missionary at Darlington.

When forty-seven he accepted a call to be temperance missionary at West Hartlepool. All the time he has been faithful to the church of his choice, rendering signal service in her pulpits. Great was his joy in the fact that his son, Rev. T.J. Gladwin, had entered her ministry. A delegate to the last London Conference, Mr. Gladwin preached with marked effect at the great camp meeting. 

He has left a widow, two daughters and a son to mourn their loss.

Family

Stephen was born in 1836 at Moseley, Co. Durham, to parents Stephen, a coal miner (1841), and Jane. He was baptised on 7 May 1836 at West Rainton, Co. Durham.

Census returns identify the following occupations for Stephen.

• 1851 coal miner
• 1861 coal miner
• 1871 town missionary
• 1881 town missionary
• 1891 temperance missionary
• 1901 coal merchant
• 1911 old age pensioner with small private means

He married Ann Duke (1830-1872) on 1 September 1856 at Shildon, Co. Durham. Census returns identify five children.

• Thomas John (1858-1925) – a PM minister      
• Robert William (1861-1913) – an engine fitter (1891)
• Elizabeth Julia Jane (abt1863-1932) – married William Archer, superintendent at G.P.O. 91911), in 1889
• Annie Amelia (1865-1946) – married Thomas William Walshaw, a cloth finisher (1911), in 1895
• Stephen George (1867-1883)

He married Jane Jefferson (1826-1879) in the spring of 1873 at Darlington, Co. Durham

He married Annie Knox (1843-1923) in early 1881 in the Hartlepool Registration District, Co. Durham

Stephen died on 12 September 1915 at West Hartlepool, Co. Durham.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1915/999

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

Note: Early records have the surname Gladden.