Richards, Henry (1815-1907)

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Primitive Methodist Magazine 1908

Transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by E. Parsons

By the death of Mr. Henry Richards, October 30th, 1907, in his ninety-second year, Brierley Hill, has lost its oldest local preacher. He was converted in a small Primitive Methodist Chapel in Duke Street, Stourbridge, soon after was put on full plan and served as a local preacher for over. sixty-five years with devoted zeal. He would walk many miles on a Sunday to carry the Gospel, sometimes taking his dinner in his pocket, the people being too poor to offer him hospitality. Many a time he has removed the snow from the hedge to make a seat while he ate his meal. For forty-five years he never missed a single appointment.

When our present Enville Street Church was erected Mr. Richards prayed, worked, and gave to his utmost. At Wollaston, where he was living, we had no church, and our brother, with others, started services in his own house, until to their great joy a church was built in this place. During the last few years of his life Mr. Richards could not do much active work, but his interest in God’s cause and especially in Primitive Methodism never waned. He was always thinking of the Connexion and praying for its prosperity. To hear that the work prospered was the joy of his life, and his first enquiry was always as to the welfare of the circuit. His last words to the writer were, “i am on the Rock, Jesus Christ.” On Sunday, November 17th, 1907, a memorial service was conducted in our church at Wollaston when a good congregation assembled to pay respect to his memory. We pray that great comfort may come to his family in this time of sadness. May they live as their sainted father lived and meet him in heaven.

Family

Henry was born on 1 April 1815 at Stourbridge, Worcestershire, to parents John and Mary. he was baptised on 31 July 1815 at Stourbridge Independent Chapel.

Census returns identify the following occupations for Henry.

• 1841 fitter up
• 1851 engine fitter
• 1861 fitter
• 1871 machine man and stocktaker in ironworks
• 1881 fitter
• 1891 living on own means
• 1901 retired engine fitter

He married Jane Smith (abt1820-1885) in early 1838 at Stourbridge, Worcestershire. Census returns identify ten children.

• Thomas (b1838) – a packer of glass (1851); a fitter (1861)
• Sarah (1841-1920) – married James Careless (d1874); married Isaac Winn in 1875
• William (1842-1884) – an iron moulder (1881)
• Eliza (1844-1904) – married Joseph Cooper in 1870; married Mark Fulford, a labourer in ironworks (1881), in 1879
• Henry (1847-1940) – a blacksmith (1871); a carter (1881)
• Samuel (1849-1919) – a roll turner at iron works (1871); a checker on railway (1881); a gas service layer (1911)
• Joseph (b1851) – an iron moulder (1871)
• Mary (b1853)
• Jane Kezia (1857-1938) – married Henry Nickless, a farmer, in 1878
• George Eli (1865-1935) – an agent for a mineral water manufacturer (1901)

Henry died on 30 October 1907 at Wollaston, Worcestershire.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1908/155

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers