Mossop, Isaac (1841-1908)

Transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by William Spedding

In the long roll of men who have earnestly unceasingly, and successfully wrought in the extension of Primitive Methodism the name of Mr. Isaac Mossop must find an honourable place. 

He was one of its choicest and most faithful spirits. For a long stretch of years he served our church with conspicuous ability and unswerving devotion. In the town of Maryport, where he resided nearly the whole of his life, and throughout West Cumberland, no man was more highly esteemed by all sections of the community. His removal involved an incalculable loss to the church, and his memory will fragrantly live where he was so well-known and appreciated. 

During a period of nearly fifty years he incessantly and ungrudgingly toiled in the service of that church which he so unquestionably loved, and to which he never hesitated to give his best. This service assumed many forms, evident from the fact that he was a local preacher forty-seven years, secretary of the Maryport Trust thirty-two years, and the superintendent of its Sunday School thirty years. 

His home was always open to all Primitive Methodist workers, and in this and all other service for the church he and his dear wife were affectionately one. It is impossible to exaggerate the value of the service rendered to Primitive Methodism in that particular locality, by these two devoted souls, both of whom have now entered upon their heavenly reward. To this fact the unqualified testimony of many ministers and friends is warmly given.

Mr. Mossop was a ‘‘strong” man, and this in nearly every sense of the word. His entire personality commanded respect and deference and constituted him a leader of men. A man of great natural intelligence and undoubted ability, his personal influence was always potent and happily for good. Reliable in judgment, painstaking in method and strictly conscientious in all matters, he was a trustworthy and capable business man. His honesty and honour were never in question. He was a successful business man and won the entire confidence and esteem of all who knew him. Withal he was invariably courteous and kindly.

His religious life was virile and robust, based upon deep conviction, and imbued with a spirit of catholicity and a profound sense of righteousness. It was neither ostentatious nor demonstrative, as the latter word is generally used, and yet there was a strong undercurrent of emotion which the sterner faculties somewhat held in check. Consistency was certainly a striking feature of his character, and in the words of a ministerial admirer: “His life never shamed his sermons.” 

In public gifts he was richly endowed, and as a local preacher always acceptable in the pulpits of his own and other churches. To thoughtful, earnest, and progressive people his utterances were never ineffective. His early service as a local preacher covered a very wide area, namely that now occupied by the Maryport, Cockermouth, Wigton, Workington, and Whitehaven Circuits.

Within two or three years of his death Mr. Mossop retired from business and went to reside at South Shields, near to his son-in-law, the Rev. M.T. Pickering. Accompanied by his daughter, Miss Mossop, he sought to further interest himself in religious activities, but unfortunately his health began to fail, and he peacefully passed away on January 20th, of the present year. A few days later he was laid to rest in the Maryport Cemetery in the presence of a large concourse of sympathising friends. Many beautiful wreaths were laid upon his grave, but none more beautiful than the grateful and loving thoughts with which friends and children clothe his sacred memory. To the memory of no man have we ever given a tribute of affectionate regard more unfeignedly than we do to that of Isaac Mossop. A man of sterling character and unsullied life his name is like unto precious ointment poured forth.

Family

Isaac was born in 1841 at Bridekirk, Cumberland to parents Moses, a farmer of 110 acres (1861), and Jane. He was baptised on 10 October 1841 at Dearham, Cumberland.

Census returns identify the following occupations for Isaac.

• 1861 farmer’s son
• 1871 grocer
• 1881 grocer &c.
• 1891 grocer and butcher
• 1901 grocer & butcher, shopkeeper

He married Elizabeth Mulcaster (1840-1899) in late 1866 in the Cockermouth Registration District, Cumberland. Census returns identify three children.

• Moses (1870-1943) – a chemist (1911)
• Elizabeth Ann (1876-1959) – married Matthew Tulip Pickering , a PM minister, in 1895
• Jane (b1879)

Isaac died on 20 January 1908 at South Shields, Co. Durham.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1908/492

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers