Lloyd, Margaret Clarissa (nee Sillifant) (1857-1915)

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

A valuable personality has been removed from Stafford Church by the decease of Margaret Clarissa Lloyd on July 8th. A native of London, she removed in early life to Wolstanton, Staffs, where, at the age of twenty years, the spiritual crisis of her life took place. She then left for Stafford, married into one of our leading families, and gave Snow Hill Church thirty-six years’ uncommon service.

Her education was beyond the average for her day, and her religious experience high and full. She revelled in the best parts of our hymnology, and knew her Bible intimately. Her service included that of teacher, leader, president of C.E., Band of Hope and Women’s Meeting. She also visited at the infirmary and workhouse, and was an active member of the local B.W.T.A. But the testimony of her surviving husband and family of four is that her best ministry was to her own.

Latterly she was a great sufferer, but still toiled for the Master. With characteristic carefulness she made many arrangements, and said, “I’m going home to-day.” In point of time she was slightly incorrect, but in point of fact she was blessedly accurate and real.

Family

Margaret was born in the summer of 1857 at Islington, London, to parents Horatio Sillifant, a surgeon (1861), and Betsy Hamer Jackson.

She married Richard Lloyd (b1860), a mechanical engineer (1911), in late 1888 at Stafford, Staffordshire. Census returns identify five children.

Thomas Richard Sillifant (1889- 1974) – a clerk (1911); local government officer (1939)
Arthur Sillifant (1890-1973) – a cycle mechanic (1911); barman wines & sprits (1939)
Bessie Sillifant (1893-1925) – married James Edward Hatton in 1923
Ernest Sillifant (1894-1918) – died in WW1
Maggie Owen (1897-1973) – confidential stenographer (1921); married Alec Edmund Thomas in 1931

Margaret died on 8 July 1915 at Stafford, Staffordshire.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1916/154

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers