Meakin, Isaiah (1836-1913)

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

By the translation of Isaiah Meakin Primitive Methodism loses a picturesque figure and faithful member. Massive and well-knit in frame, he possessed a splendid intellect, a warm heart, and an ardent spirit. His convictions were deep and strong, his attachments fervid, and his faith intense. His love of the Church was irreproachable and his interest unbroken. Naturally, he lived much in memories, but did not neglect the present. He was at the services whenever possible—although at times he came in difficulty and pain. He spent much of his time in visitation and was actually planning a large tract distributing campaign when his illness assumed more serious conditions.

He gloried in all that spelt good for the Church of his choice and gave himself unremittingly. For nearly fifty years he was associated with West Bromwich Circuits, and at the time of his death was the oldest local preacher on the Second Circuit’s plan. He had filled the offices of class leader, trust treasurer and secretary, Sunday school secretary, and vice-president of the P.S.A. But what gave him most joy was the part he played in missioning West Smethwick and his success in collecting for the missionary cause among comrades in the Force. In his last days he treasured the little old collecting book as a precious possession, and spoke of the Smethwick church with fatherly pride and interest. One in whom the war spirit still burned and who was jealous for the cause and the King.

A painful illness gradually stole his strength, so that he passed to God in his sleep on March 5th, 1913, aged seventy-six years. The earthly remains were interred in West Bromwich cemetery, Rev. W.W. Price officiating.

Family

Isaiah was born in 1837 at Ilkeston, Derbyshire, to parents John Meakin, a frame work knitter (1841), and Elizabeth Hofton. He was baptised on 30 June 1837 at Ilkeston.

Census returns identify the following occupations for Isaiah.

1851 pot maker
1871 police constable
1881 stock taker at iron works
1891 foreman canal boat loading
1901 wharf foreman
1911 canal wharf foreman

He married Catherine Fairclough (1846-1872) on 5 May 1869 at St Jude, Birmingham, Warwickshire. Census returns identify three children.

Zipporah Elizabeth (1870-1943) – a laundress (1901); married William Padbury, a general labourer (1911), in 1908
Meshullemeth Miriam Asenath (1871-1956) – married Frederick James Eyre in 1905; a cook (1939)
Catherine (b1872) – a general domestic servant (1901)

He married Eliza Baggott (1846-1918) in late 1873 in the Kings Norton Registration District, Worcestershire. Census returns and birth records identify nine children.

Paul Theophilus (1874-1951) – in 1st Life Guards (1911)
Epaphroditis Simeon (1876-1976)
Alphaeus Ebenezer (1877-1965) – a screwing tool maker (1911)
Zephaniah Enos (1879-1946) – a bank messenger (1911)
Adbell Trophimus (1882-1950) – a corporation horse driver (1939)
Keturah Abigail (1883-1959) – married Thomas Perry, a charge attendant at borough asylum (1911) in 1908
Israel Isaiah (1886-1893)
Eliza Hannah (1888-1978) – a clerk (1911); supervisor in systems printing (1939)
Elsie Harriet (abt1891-1933) – a typist (1911)

Isaiah died on 25 March 1913 at West Smethwick, Worcestershire

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1913/662

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

Note: The probate record gives the date of death as 25 March 1913, not 5 March as stated in the obituary.