Porter, William (1840-1908)

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1909

Transcription of Obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by Mark Knowlson

MR. WILLIAM PORTER, of Hinckley, passed to his reward December 20th, 1908, after a short but severe affliction. A native of the town, in early life in comparative poverty, he commenced business as a leather merchant, and by his integrity won the confidence of those with whom he did business. He found time to attend to the wider interests of the town, and for years he sat as a member of the Local Board. He was regular and punctual in his attendance at all the services and generous in his gifts.

At the age of eighteen he experienced a genuine conversion. Possessing more than ordinary ability, many were the calls made upon him. For forty-eight years he served as a local preacher. Soon after his conversion he entered the Sunday School as teacher and afterwards became superintendent. When he retired from this office an illuminated address was presented to him.

As a class leader he was quaint and original. His class contained sixty members when he died. Very apt in the sick room, he was frequently called upon to pray with the dying.

A widow, four sons and three daughters mourn his loss. His funeral was largely attended by all classes of society. Local preachers and class leaders bore him to the grave, and when the writer preached his funeral sermon on January 3rd, the chapel was crowded in every part.

Family

William was born in late 1840 at Hinckley, Leicestershire, to parents William, a shoemaker, and Sarah.

Census returns identify the following occupations for William.

1861 shoemaker
1871 leather seller
1881 leather seller
1891 leather seller
1901 leather merchant

He married Charlotte Bailey (1838-1916) in the summer of 1859 at Hinckley. Leicestershire. Census returns identify twelve children.

William (1859-1930) – a leather merchant (1911)
Mary Ann (1863-1908) – married Arthur Bedford, a hosiery Trimmer (1901), in 1888
Thomas (1865-1883)
Fred (b abt1866) – a shoe riveter (1881); only found in 1881 census
Elizabeth (1867-1943) – married William Robinson, a hosiery warehouseman (1911), in 1891
Albert (Bertie) (1867-1890)
Sarah Jane (1870-1871)
John (1872-1915) – a greengrocer (1911)
Kate (1873-1948) – married Frederick Jarvis, a boot manufacturer, in 1896
Ernest (b abt1878)
Walter (1879-1918) – a painter & decorator (1911); died in WW1
Florence Gertrude (1883-1943) – married John Edwin Harris, a builder & contractor (1911), in 1908

William died on 20 December 19089 at Hinckley, Leicestershire.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1909/656

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers