Main, Charles Storey (1842-1911)

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1912

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

In the death of Charles S. Main, at the age of sixty-nine, the Ashington Church and Circuit have sustained a severe loss. Born at Lowick, during his early life he lived at various places in Durham and Northumberland until forty years ago he removed to Ashington. For thirty-nine years he was an official under the Ashington Coal Company, acting as overman for eighteen years.

Bro. Main was converted at Netherton in 1862, and shortly after became a Local Preacher. He took part in the formation of the Ashington Society, and was a leading member until he died. A devoted and successful preacher for the last fifteen years, he had fulfilled the post of Circuit Steward.

He was interested in the wider life of the Kingdom, but his chief concern was his own Church, and to it he gave unstinted time and thought. Letters received speak of him as upright and straightforward, a man to rely on, marked by splendid loyalty, radiant faith, strenuous service.

Revs. G. Fawcett, J.F. Loveday and W. Pickering took part in the funeral service in our Ashington Church, and the remains were laid in the Ashington Churchyard.

Family

Charles was born abt1842 at Lowick, Northumberland, to parents Charles Storey Main, a coal miner (1851) and Joan Bruce.

Census returns identify the following occupations for Charles.

1861 coal miner
1871 coal miner
1881 coal miner
1891 under manager at coal mine
1901 overman miner below ground
1911 colliery master waste man

He married Eleanor Gregory (1846-1913) in the summer of 1864 in the Tynemouth Registration District, Northumberland. Census returns identify nine children.

Charles Storey (1865-1921) – coal waste man below ground
Isabella (b1867)
Joanna (aka Annie) (1869-1953) – married John Norris, a school caretaker (1911), in 1890
Christopher Gregory (1871-1931) – colliery deputy overman (1911)
Edward (1874-1932) – a coal miner, master shifter (1911)
Lizzie Jane (1875-1915) – married George William Hayes, a colliery rolleyway man (1911), in 1903
Mary Ann (1877-1950) – married John William Melling, a tailor’s cutter (1911), in 1903
Margaret Ellen (1882-1970) – married Thomas Forsyth Donnison, a butcher (1911), in 1903
Edna Alice (1886-1958) – married William Dixon, a roller driver (1939), in 1905

Charles died on 15 December 1911 at Ashington, Northumberland.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1912/246

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers