Goodrich, William (1835-1912)

Transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by John Hallam

William Goodrich, a native of Kegworth in Leicestershire, at twelve years of age joined our Church, became a local preacher at sixteen, and two years later went to Sheffield to reside with his uncle, the Rev. R. Robinson. Mr. Goodrich himself entered our ministry and for some little time travelled on the Winster Station, but ultimately gave himself up to commercial pursuits, and was very successful, being connected with one Sheffield firm over fifty years. Most of these years were spent in Newcastle-on-Tyne, where he joined a small church worshipping in Derby Street, now known as the Derby Street Church, and into which he threw mainly the interest and energy of his large soul.

He laid the foundation stone of Derby Street church, was one of the first trustees and a local preacher and class leader. His attachment to this church was admirable. Mr. Goodrich was distinctly a Connexional man. He knew many of our ministers and esteemed and reverenced them for their work’s sake. The Connexional Institutions had his sympathy; he read with deepest interest the magazines and periodicals of his Church. Very little took place within its borders with which he was not intimately acquainted. To his church and his friends he was generous and kind, and he gathered into his home ministers and laymen of his own and of other Churches.

The end came on Dec. 21st, 1912. Many gathered in Derby Street Church and the EIswick Cemetery to show respect to their friend, and the writer, with Revs. T. Sykes, F. Beal, and H. Pratt took part in the services. We commend the family to the Eternal Father who changeth not.

Family

William was born on 17 November 1835 at Kegworth, Leicestershire, to parents Edward Goodrich, a cooper, and Ann Markey. He was baptised on 16 December 1835 at Kegworth.

Census returns identify the following occupations for William.

1851 hand-loom weaver
1871 no occupation
1881 commercial traveller
1891 agent for files
1901 commercial traveller
1911 retired agent

He married Elizabeth Kirkpatrick Barton (1839-1879) in early 1865 in the Loughborough Registration District, Leicestershire.

He married Fanny Brown (1860-1948) in late 1881 in the Market Bosworth Registration District, Leicestershire. Census returns identify two children.

Anna Robinson (1882-1955) – a governess (1911)
Susan Brown (1884-1864) – a teacher of music (1911)

William died on 21 December 1912 at Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1913/410

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

Note: Although the obituary suggests that William was stationed as a travelling preacher, he does not appear in Leary’s index. It is probable that he may have been a hired local preacher for a short time.