Gorry, William Henry (1851-1916)

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Transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by T.B.

In an old-fashioned Manx revival William H. Gorry, a youth of fourteen years, gave his heart to the Lord. Sturdy of body and soul, the sea called him, and to the last he followed the occupation of fisherman. Shipwrecked when sixteen years old off the Irish coast, he knew that God would take care of him. His spared life he dedicated to God’s service. At first his companions were sought and won; then little knots of his fellow fishermen were gathered in from the boats harboured at the little fishing villages of Ireland and Scotland. For over twenty-five years the Churches have called him, winter by winter, to conduct mission services. His last mission at Agneash resulted in the ingathering of fifty souls.

As he was attending to the lamp of his vessel he was stricken with a seizure, and the call came a week later, May 9th, 1916. His remains were reverently laid in the graveyard at Peel on May 12th.

Family

William was born in 1851 at Braddan, Isle of Man, to parents James Gorry, labourer at lead mine (1861), and Margaret Callister. He was baptised on 4 May 1851 at Braddan.

Census returns identify the following occupations for William.

• 1881 fisherman
• 1891 fisherman
• 1901 evangelist
• 1911 fisherman & evangelist

He married Jane Elizabeth Callister (1856-1927) on 20 January 1876 at German, isle of Man. Census returns identify one of two children.

• Annie Margaret (b1895)

William died on 9 May 1916 at Peel, Isle of Man.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1916/927

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers