Read, James (1850-1910)

Transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by Hy. Peach

A few hours after the death of Edward VII., Bro. Read—one of the king’s of our Church at Gt. Gonerby—went to his higher coronation. For 60 years he had lived in the same house, during 43 years he had been a member of our society, and for 37 a trustee. For many years he was society steward, which office he held to the time of his decease, and to which his widow has now been appointed. He was made overseer of the poor after the election of the Gonerby first Parish Council, and held the post at his decease. 

A memorial service was conducted in our church by Dr. Peach, after which “devout men carried him to his burial” in the churchyard, the Vicar joining in the procession. At the grave, Bro. Peach summarised his chief excellencies—his love of peace, his intense interest in God’s work, his proverbial good nature, and his readiness for the “end,” which is but the beginning. The same minister on Sunday, May 29th, preached for him a funeral sermon, taking as subject, “The Blessed Dead.”

That his sorrowing widow and bereaved family circle may be comforted by the matchless solace of the Master, until the return of the chariot for their own ascent to rejoin him in the fields of Paradise, in the coming of the dawn, is the prayer of the writer. Our brother is not lost, he has only gone before.

Family

James was born abt1850 at Great Gonerby, Lincolnshire, to parents Robert, a general dealer (1851), and Hannah.

Census returns identify the following occupations for James.

• 1871 tin man
• 1881 cottager of 8 acres
• 1891 tinman, brazier and gas fitter
• 1901 cottager

He married Mary May (b1849) in the spring of 1873 at Great Gonerby.

James died on 7 May 1910 at Great Gonerby, Lincolnshire.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1910/746

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers