Kent, Thomas Blake (1848-1909)

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1910

Transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by R.W.

Mr. Thomas Kent was born at Washingborough, near Lincoln in 1848. At eighteen years of age, at a band meeting in the Richmond Street Chapel, Middlesbrough, he was converted. There he met his wife, Miss Hannah Robinson, who proved a true helpmeet to him for 41 years.

In 1873 he came to Brandon, joined the Church, entered the Sunday School as teacher, and was made a class leader. As class leader, not only were the absentees immediately visited, but all his members received their regular visitation.

Rev. J.G. Bowran says:— “He was a splendid man, a truly religious and devout man. I remember him so well, and all the great service he rendered to the Church. He was one of the best men I ever knew.”

His end came unexpectedly, and was extremely sudden. On Monday evening, Sept. 27th, 1909, he attended a meeting in the chapel, in his usual health and spirits. He went to his work on Tuesday morning, but at dinnertime he was brought home unconscious, and on Thursday passed away, leaving a widow, a son, and three daughters to mourn his loss.

His funeral was on Sunday, October 3rd, when a large company of people followed his remains to the grave. The service was held in Brandon Chapel, conducted by Rev. R. Walton, who was assisted by Messrs. J. Barker and R. Holliday.

Family

Thomas was born in 1848 at Washingborough, Lincolnshire, to parents John Kent, who worked the land, and Elizabeth Long. He was baptised on 8 February 1848 at Washingborough.

Census returns identify the following occupations for Thomas

1871 labourer
1881 general labourer
1891 labourer at coke ovens
1901 leveler at coke ovens

He married Margaret Hannah Robinson (b abt1851) in the summer of 1868 in the Stockton Registration District, Co. Durham. Census returns identify four children.

John William (1871-1922) – a coal miner (1891); an oil hawker (1911)
Joanna (b1872)
Henrietta Adeline (1884-1963) – married John Robert Ramsey, a colliery joiner (1911), circa 1905
Gertrude Mary (1886-1944) – a housekeeper (1911); married John T Scott, a cool miner (1939), in 1917

Thomas died on 27 September 1909 at Brandon, Co. Durham.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1910/154

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers