Kneeshaw, Mary (nee Smith) (1829-1910)

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Primitive Methodist Magazine 1910

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

Mrs. Kneeshaw (nee Smith) was born at Great Givendale June 4th, 1829, and died Feb. 11th, 1910, aged 80 years.

She joined our church at the age of 12, and her daughter Annie holds her first class ticket (on trial) dated 1841. She remained a faithful and consistent member to the end of her life.

Born of Primitive Methodist parents, our sister was a fine type of Christian womanhood, deeply religious, regular and punctual at public and private means of grace, preaching, class meeting, prayer meeting, band meeting, and love-feasts, for these she had a great admiration, always ready to take part with a rich and ripe experience; she loved to talk of the good old times, and ministers of 40 and

50 years ago. She married in 1858 at Sutton-on-Forest, in the Easingwold Circuit, where she resided for over 20 years prior to removing to York.

She was quiet and unassuming, a true helpmeet and dutiful wife. She was a kind and indulgent parent, and for many years she and her family were constant worshippers with us at our Ebenezer Church, York.

At the death of her husband she and her daughter Annie removed to Melbourne in the Pocklington Circuit. Her affliction came gradually, but she bore it with patience and Christian fortitude. She was only confined to her bed for two days.

She leaves three daughters to mourn her loss. She loved them dearly, and they reciprocated that love. The home, the church, and the world are the poorer, but heaven is the richer.

Her remains were laid to rest in York Cemetery on February 14th.

The last rites were performed by Rev. W. H. Maxwell amid the sorrowing family and many friends, who said farewell “until the day break and the shadows flee away.”

Family

Mary was born on 4 June 1829 at Great Givendale, Yorkshire, to parents Thomas Smith, who worked the land, and Mary Shepherdson. She was baptised on 22 June 1829 at Great Givendale.

Mary worked as a house servant before her marriage (1851).

She married Robert Kneeshaw (1827-1898), a wheelwright (1881), in late 1858 at Sutton-on-Forest, Yorkshire. Census returns identify four children.

• Richard (1860-1861)
• Mary (1863-1946) – married Harry Shields, a warehouseman (1911), in 1885                     
• Annie (1866-1935) – a dressmaker (1901); married John W Cook in 1913
• Margaret Hannah (1869-1952) – a parlourmaid (1911); married Samuel Williamson in 1918

Mary died on 11 February 1910 at Melbourne, Yorkshire.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1910/657

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers