Nicholson, George Foster (1848-1913)

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

The Eaglescliffe church in the Stockton Circuit has suffered a severe loss in the death of George F. Nicholson. Born at Tunstall in the Richmond station, and beginning work when only eight years of age, our friend was converted in his twentieth year when living at Toft Hill, in the St. Helen’s Auckland Circuit. For the last fifteen years his home was at Eaglescliffe Junction. 

Through the influence of the late John Bainbridge, his brother-in-law, and the well-remembered evangelist, he became a local preacher. For forty years he served the churches in the St. Helen’s, Darlington and Stockton stations. He was a rare personality. His commanding figure, his striking face, his deep-toned voice gave him distinction everywhere. There was a rugged strength and independence in him. A vigorous thinker, with original views, yet frank and generous, his counsels were of value in the affairs of his church. 

He had a unique power in prayer. God was real to him. To him prayer was true communion. He spoke to God in familiar and confiding ways. It was always an experience to hear him pray on a Sunday evening. He was full of kindly thoughts and appreciations. Often he lingered behind in his shy and unconventional way to say a word of thanks to a preacher. He was a true lover of our Church, the class meeting was very precious to him. He will be greatly missed, but his life will be an abiding memory and blessing. 

He was laid to rest at Eaglescliffe, the Rev. P.S. Carden conducting the service in the chapel. Many of our friend’s quarrymen comrades attended. The Rev. J.G. Bowran spoke appreciative words on the following Sunday evening. 

Family

George was born abt1848 at Tunstall, nr. Scotton, Yorkshire, to parents Thomas Nicholson, who worked the land (1851) and later a brick and tile maker (1861), and Ann Dunn.

Census returns identify the following occupations for George.

• 1861 labourer
• 1881 foreman quarryman
• 1891 quarry labourer
• 1901 traffic manager at quarry
• 1911 quarry foreman

He married Jane Margaret Bainbridge (1854-1934) in late 1876 in the Auckland Registration District, Co. Durham. Census returns identify eight children.

• Thomas (1877-1955) – a brickworks labourer (1901)
• Robert Bainbridge (1879-1908) – general labourer (1901)
• Florence (1881-1960) – married Samuel Smithson, a railway signalman (1911), in 1904
• Selina (1883-1950) – married William Jackson, a gardener (1939), in 1906
• Jane Margaret (1887-1951) – married Thomas Lowther, a granite quarryman (1939), in 1911
• George Foster (1890-1963) – a labourer (1911); steel furnanceman (1939)
• John William (1892-1961) – an ironmonger’s shop assistant (1911)
• Charles (1895-1962) – gardener’s helper (1911); overhead electric cableway driver (1939)

George died on 25 May 1913 at Eaglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees, Co. Durham

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1913/661

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers