McKee, William (1835-1909)

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Primitive Methodist Magazine 1910

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

William McKee was born May 14th, 1835, being also born again of the Spirit, at the Table of the Lord, in the Mariner Street Church, Hull. In 1855 he joined Mr. Newton’s Class, at Thornton Street Church, and began his real life’s work for the Master. Here he met the maid who became his wife, and through sunshine and shadow she right nobly mated him. 

In 1857 the Quarterly Board authorised William McKee to take appointments as planned. In 1862 York Circuit called him to labour as Missionary. With gladness and success he served until his health, never robust, failed. Returning to Hull on his health being somewhat restored, he resumed his work for Christ and His Church. In later years he served the District Missionary Committee as Rural Evangelist, and in both Holderness and Lincolnshire, without fee or reward (save God’s smile), he travelled far and served many village churches, multitudes of souls being won for God.

He also lectured in the interests of many struggling Rural Trust Estates. William McKee also served as secretary of the Hessle Road Trust Estate., Hull, during the ministry of the Rev. Henry Clark, inaugurated a scheme to reduce the debt on the premises by £500, and with the hearty co-operation of his co-workers and the generous aid of the Connexional Insurance Company, the liabilities were lessened £1,200 during his secretarial term. 

Failing health compelled him to quit his posts of active service that he might suffer for Jesus, and for long years he uncomplainingly endured the Cross, and cheerfully confided in God his Saviour. He now rests from his labours, which were more abundant, he having travelled mainly on foot, 5,800 miles, preached and lectured 2,500 times, and witnessed not fewer than 140 souls step out of darkness into light.

Family

William was born on 14 May 1935 at Hull, Yorkshire, to parents William, a master shoemaker (1851), and Charlotte. He was baptised on 8 June 1835 at Holy Trinity, Hull.

Census returns identify the following occupations for William.

• 1851 shoemaker
• 1861 labourer & PM local preacher
• 1871 friendly society collector
• 1881 insurance agent (& PM local preacher)
• 1891 insurance agent
• 1901 insurance agent & local preacher

He married Ann Brown (1834-1923) on 4 April 1858 at Holy Trinity, Hull, Yorkshire. Census returns identify nine children.

• Fanny Harrison (abt1859-1960) – a housekeeper (1881); married Samuel Smith, a PM minister, in 1886
• Caroline Anne (1860-1905) – married James Christopher Langton, a schoolmaster (1901), in 1883
• Charlotte Atkinson (1862-1953) – married Herbert John Langton, a Post Office clerk (1911), in 1889
• George William (1865-1949) – a marine stoker (1901); a trade union official (seaman) (1911)
• Emily Kate (1867-1944) – married James Arthur Graystone, a shopkeeper (1911), in 1891
• Edmund Irving (1869-1947) – a GPO unestablished employee (1911)
• Mary Branton (1873-1951) – married Charles Brown Mowforth, a plumber’s labourer (1911), in 1902
• Alice Elizabeth (1875-1953) – married Albert Thomas Hayman, a shipwright & boat builder (1901), in 1899; married James Benjamin Butcher, a naval pensioner & seaman’s union secretary (1911), in 1907
• Alfred Ernest (1877-1946) – a steam lorry driver (1911)

William died in 1909 at Hull, Yorkshire.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1910/235

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers