McKechnie, Elizabeth (nee Dent) (1830-1914)

zoom

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

The passing of Mrs. McKechnie, of Keighley, widow of Rev. A. McKechnie, breaks another link with the early days. A woman of fine courtesy and charming manner, with winsome face and lovely white hair, Mrs. McKechnie was a striking personality. Nourished on the great things of God, with intimate knowledge of the Bible and her hymn book, she was through life marked by “a beautiful behaviour,” and in her there was seen the “happy seriousness”of the highest Puritan type. She had known strenuous days, and though great joys had been experienced, suffering had shared in moulding both face and character. 

Fifty years of active ministry were shared with her husband, then some years of quiet work and patient waiting. In the home, with a growing family, amidst privation and hardship, she won highest praise. During the great cotton famine the work done by Mr. and Mrs. McKechnie made their names fragrant in Colne and Bingley Circuits. She sought the best in people. With quick sympathy, alert mind, and loving spirit her interests in life continued unabated. 

She loved the Church and worked and prayed for its good; she showed a lively concern in politics, and to the end was a great reader. Living to be eighty-four, she was still young at heart. Her children and grandchildren call her blessed; there was “no one like her.” Beautiful in life, she was beautiful in death. God touched her and she was not. 

In the funeral service in Alice Street Church, Keighley, Revs. H. Taylor, J.H. Hirst, J. Dodd, C.R. Dallow, and A.J. Harding took part. The following Sunday a memorial service was held.

Family

Elizabeth was born in 1830 at Middleton Tyas, Yorkshire, to parents Matthew Dent and Frances L’Anson. She was baptised on 16 January 1831 at Middleton Tyas.

She married Alexander McKechnie (1820-1901), a PM minister,  on 1 August 1849 at Middleton Tyas, Yorkshire. Census returns identify twelve children.

• Alexander (1850-1883) – a clerk/book-keeper
• Mary Jane (1852-1932) – married James Ellis Vero, a printer
• Frances (1855-1921) – a teacher
• Annie (b1857) -married Joseph Edward Day, an insurance agent
• Elizabeth (1859-1946) – a teacher
• Lily (1861-1921) – married John William Robson, a bank manager
• Arthur (1863-1947) – a schoolmaster
• Alice Flesher (1865-1956) – a teacher
• Charles Henry (1867-1951) – a printer
• Agnes (1869-1953) – married William Henry Moulden, a chemist and druggist
• Kate (1871-1922)
• Herbert Ellison (1873-1893) – a lithographic artist apprentice in 1891

Elizabeth died in early 1914 at Keighley, Yorkshire.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1914/328(2)

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers