Leason, Samuel (1820-1908)

Transcription of Obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by T.M. Lakin

Samuel Leason was born April 5th, 1820, and died March 25th, 1908, in his eighty-eighth year. His boyhood days were spent at Boylestone, where, it is supposed by many, the first Sunday School in Primitive Methodism was started. In this school Brother Leason received his early religious impressions and also all the secular training he ever had. At the early age of seventeen he was converted and became a decided Christian and an ardent Primitive Methodist. For twelve years he served as class leader at Mill Dale, then in the Leek District. He also became a local preacher and as such did yeoman service. He counted it an honour to do this work and rejoiced in the strenuous labours it involved. When he commenced his work as a local preacher the journeys were long and the difficulties great but he cheerfully fulfilled his appointments. Even when in his eightieth year he walked a distance of two miles and preached.

Being brought into early association with our Church he was naturally thrown into the company of our pioneers. He knew Hugh Bourne and heard him preach many times. Brother Leason was a good man and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith. He was passionately fond of reading but he delighted most of all in reading his Bible, and only a short time before his death he read his New Testament through in one week. He was devoted to God’s House and as long as strength permitted was found in his accustomed place in the Sanctuary in time for the commencement of the service. He was a bright and cheerful Christian. Religion to him was not a thing of melancholy but a thing of joy and an experience of perpetual gladness. His cheerfulness was a real ministry of helpfulness to others, inspiring them to hope and gladness.

He retained all his faculties to the last and the report of good services and progress in the Church afforded him immense delight. His end was calm and peaceful as a summer’s eve. During his last moments he could not speak but there was every indication of a sweet and holy calm, a spiritual restfulness, an unwavering faith and a glad assurance of an abundant entrance into the kingdom of God. His mortal remains were laid to rest in Uttoxeter Cemetery on Sunday, March 29th, 1908, in sure hope of a joyful resurrection.

Family

Samuel was born on 5 April 1820 at Boylestone, Derbyshire, to parents Samuel and Mary. He was baptised on 5 April 1820 at Boylestone.

Samuel was a farmer

He married Sarah Pountain (abt1812-1900) on 25 April 1841 at Boylestone, Derbyshire. Census returns identify four children.

Ann (b1842) – not found after 1861 census
William (abt1846-1923) – a farmer (1911)
Mary (1847-1933) – married John Ward, a coal merchant & cabinet maker (1881), in 1872
Henry Samuel (1849-1932) – a groom (1891); a railway carman (1911)

Samuel died on 25 March 1908 at Uttoxeter, Staffordshire.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1909/915

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers