Green, John Piercy (1843-1914)

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

The death of John Percy Green marks the removal of the oldest member of the Meanwood Road Church, Leeds. The pioneer of Primitive Methodism in Woodhouse Carr, he laid the foundation of the church. Its first class leader, and one of the first band of trustees, in the long record of amazing toil and heroic self-sacrifice the name of our departed brother looms large. His class numbered nearly one hundred members, and its meeting was to him the great event of the week. No stranger visited the church without receiving a cordial welcome from Brother Green.

A man of great strength of character, his simple habits and quiet confidence were singularly impressive. A man of prayer, he spent much of his time in communion with the unseen. The welfare of his Church was his chief concern, and nothing gave him greater joy than its prosperity.

Throughout his brief illness our departed brother maintained a calm and courageous bearing. To the Church to which he gave the best energies of his life he has left a rare legacy of high moral and religious sentiment.

Family

John was born in the summer of 1843 at Holme on the Wolds, Yorkshire, to parents Robert Green, a labourer (1851), and Hannah Pearcy. He was baptised on 11 June 1843 at Holme on the Wolds.

Census returns identify the following occupations for John.

1851 scholar
1861 agricultural labourer
1871 leather dresser
1881 baker
1891 confectioner
1911 baker

He married Sarah Jane Spink (1840-1907) in the summer of 1860 in the Beverley Registration District, Yorkshire. Census and birth records identify six of seven children.

William (b1861) – a currier; not identified after 1891 census
John Nicholas (1870-1941) – a woollen buyer (1911)
Edith Ann (1874-1874)
Joseph (b1876) – a tailor’s apprentice (1891)
Mary Ellen (1878-1933) – married Fred Samuel Morland, a glass cutter (1911), in 1900
Robert Percy (b1882)

John died on 3 February 1914 at Leeds, Yorkshire.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1915/583

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

Note: John’s second name is variously spelt Piercy, Piercey or Pearcy, but appears to have been shortened to Percy in later years.