Hunter, Edward Maughan (1834-1909)

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Primitive Methodist Magazine 1909

Transcription of Obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by John Jenkinson

The Whitehaven Circuit has suffered a serious loss in the death of Mr. Edward Hunter, at the good old age of seventy-four years. He belonged to the old school of local preachers, and for the last forty-five years no man was more acceptable in the pulpits of the district. The deceased was a native of Haltwhistle, and in early life was much impressed by secularism, and a regular reader of “The National Reformer.” He decided, however, to read the Bible for himself, and this led to his conversion.

He soon began to preach, and at that time there was no circuit trap, but no journey was too long for our brother, and he soon took a foremost position in the district. Looking back on an experience of nearly forty years the writer never remembers hearing the deceased’s equal as an open-air camp-meeting preacher.

There was a directness, pathos, and force in his discourses that seldom failed to reach the hearts of the people, and some of his old time sermons are remembered until this day. According to his means the deceased was a generous supporter of the station first, and even while ill he had placed his class money in an envelope ready for his leader when he called.

The attendance at his funeral, conducted in our Whitehaven Church by the Rev. E. Simkin, the superintendent, attested the hold the deceased had on the affections of the people, while the church on the Sunday night, when a memorial service was held, was very largely attended. The Rev. E. Simkin gave an eloquent appreciation of the deceased’s life-work, which made a marked impression on the congregation.

His life and influence will live long in the hearts and affections of those who knew him, and our church in Whitehaven will be the poorer for the loss we have sustained. If Primitive Methodism is the poorer heaven is undoubtedly the richer, and the great loss we have sustained is his eternal gain. ’Tis but a little while and we shall meet him again.

Family

Edward was born abt1834 at Haltwhistle, Northumberland, to parents Robert, a shoemaker (1841), and Elizabeth. He was baptised on 23 March 1834 at Haltwhistle.

Census returns identify the following occupations for Edward.

• 1851 labourer at brickworks
• 1861 fire brick maker
• 1871 brick maker
• 1881 brick maker
• 1891 assurance agent
• 1901 assurance agent

He married Mary Jackson (abt1842-1873) in early 1860 at Whitehaven, Cumberland. Census returns identify three children.

• Mary Ellen (1865-1942) – married John McGuffie, an insurance agent (1911), in 1886
• Elizabeth (1868-1950) – married Oliver Glanville, a coal miner (1911), in 1889
• Sarah Ann (b1870)

He married Mary Fox, nee Pattinson, (abt1846-1901) in late 1876 at Whitehaven, Cumberland. Census returns identify six children.

• Ada (1877-1963) – a paper bag maker (1901); married Thomas Richardson, a plate layer & farmer (1911), in 1902
• Hannah (1878-1959) – a housekeeper (1901); married John Lucas, working for a tanner (1911), in 1902
• Ruth (1880-1947) – a leather worker (1901); married John Edward Nicholson, a coal miner (1911), in 1901; married Thomas Mahone, a coal miner (1939), in 1919
• Robert Pattinson (1882-1956) – joined Border Regiment in 1899; coal miner 1911
• Mary P (b abt1883) – only found in 1891 census return
• Edward Maughan (1883-1956) – a farm labourer (1901); died in California, USA
• Ethel (1891-1896)

Edward died in early 1909 at Whitehaven, Cumberland.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1909/490

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers