Jeffery, Mary (nee Beeson) (1836-1915)

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

Mrs. Jeffery, Ravensdale Park Farm, passed quietly to the Homeland on October 1st, 1915. Born at Ireton Wood, December 5th, 1836, she gave her heart to Jesus early, and joined our Church at Cross of Hands, in the Belper Circuit. In the church and Sunday school, and in the homes of the people, her sterling worth and her intense desire to be useful in her Master’s service were evident.

She became a local preacher, and had the joy of seeing many turned from darkness to light. In recognition of her successful efforts to secure a chapel at Ireton Wood, she received a letter of thanks from the Nottingham District Chapel Committee in 1873. The same year she married Mr. George Jeffery, also a local preacher. Removing to Ripley, they were used of God in the promotion of a great revival.

In 1900, removing to a farm in Ravensdale Park, they joined the Cross of Hands Society, which they served devotedly. One of our sister’s chief delights was to entertain the ministers.

Family

Mary was born on 5 December 1836 at Ireton Wood, Derbyshire, to parents William, a farmer (1841), and Elizabeth .

Before her marriage Mary worked as a dressmaker (1861)

She married George Jeffery (abt1844-1906), a farmer of 12 acres (1881), in the summer of 1873 at Belper PM Chapel, Derbyshire. Census returns identify five children

Charles Henry (1874-1912) – working on farm (1911)
John William (1875-1923) – dairy farmer (1921)
Hugh Buxton (1877-1920) – a joiner & wheelwright (1911)
Mary Annie Elizabeth (1879-1959) – dairy work (1911); married William Heath, a dairy farmer (1911), in 1924
Georgina (1880-1948) – married George Wainwright, a coal inspector (1911), in 1907

Mary died on 1 October 1915 at Ravensdale Park, Derbyshire.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1916/162

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers