Ride, Martha (nee Riley) (1893-1820)

Transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine

Memoir of Martha Ride, wife of John Ride of Turnditch, who died in the Lord at Sparta, in the New York State of North America, on Friday September 7, 1820, in the twenty-seventh year of her age.

MARTHA was a daughter of Samuel Riley, of Hulland Ward, in Derbyshire. In the year 1811, the Primitive Methodists first visited Mercaston, Turnditch, and Hulland, and a great work of religion broke out under their ministry. Martha was one of the first fruits of their labours, and she joined the class at Mercaston. Her conversion to the Lord was very clear and striking. And after this a peculiar strain of piety was manifest in her conduct and conversation.

In August 1812, she was married to John Ride, who was converted to the Lord in January 1812. They went to reside near Turnditch, and took in the preaching: and a flourishing Sunday school was raised up in their house which he superintended: and on one occasion, when he was exhorting the children during the noon hour, a remarkable work of grace broke out among them. After some time a chapel was built at Turnditch, in which the school continued to flourish.

Some of their relations having removed into America, they, on the 10th of May 1820, set sail for that Country: and, arriving safe, they settled at Sparta, in the State of New York.

During the passage, which was about eight weeks, Martha seemed to be entirely devoted to God; and her pious conduct appeared to attract the attention of all the passengers.

At Sparta, in America, the means of grace were not plentiful, but they held prayer-meetings, and her husband preached occasionally; and family prayer and pious conversation abounded among them and their relations who lived in that place. Others also joined in these pious exercises.

August 20, 1820, she was suddenly taken ill, which prevented them from attending a large camp-meeting about to take place. From the commencement of her illness she believed it would end in death; and she wished to spend the time fully to the Lord. They had two children, and, on one occasion, in a conversation with her husband, she observed, that she had given him and them up to the Lord, and the Lord would provide. 

On Sunday September 3, 1820, she said to him: “This is the last Sunday we shall live together!—Stop with me, and let us spend it in singing and prayer.” On the Friday morning following, she seemed to be more than ever given up to God, and longed to be gone. Her husband then thought her end was near, and the same morning about seven o’clock she died. Her last words were: “I am going! The Lord Jesus is come for me.”

Note. On account of her death, her pious husband returned with his two children into England; and is appointed a local preacher on the Plan as usual.

Family

Martha was born in 1793 at Hulland Ward, Derbyshire.

She married John Ride (1790-1862) on 10 August 1812 at Duffield, Derbyshire. They had two children.

• Hannah (1815-1905) – she married Samuel West, a PM minister, in 1842
• John (1820-1824)

They arrived in New York on 3 July 1820 on the ship General Griswald.

Martha died on 7 September 1820 at Sparta, New York State, USA.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1821/37

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers