Smith, Mary (nee Barnett) (1819-1899)

Transcription of Obituary In the Primitive Methodist Magazine by J. Lambert

MARY SMITH, of Audlem, was born at Burland, in the Nantwich Circuit, in the parish of Acton, October 19, 1819. Very little is known of her early life, her parents belonged to the Church of England, and brought up their children to fear God and speak the truth.

One Sunday she heard a sermon by the Rev. R. Bowen, and felt deeply impressed with divine things, and also felt her need of Christ, she quietly resigned herself to the Divine will, and found peace and salvation at her own home. She was united in marriage to Mr. George Smith, of Sound Heath, a true Methodist, a man of meek and quiet spirit, who sincerely sympathised with her in all her endeavours after the Christian life. For forty years she was a loyal member of the Primitive Methodist Connexion, and led a blameless life. We have known her for twenty-seven years, and can truly say she was a most consistent Christian; her profession was free from all extravagance and pretence, her religious life was a patient continuance in well doing, seeking for glory, honour, immortality and eternal life. She was very liberal to the cause, and a great lover of Christ-like men.

She was very kind and charitable to the poor, a regular attender at the means of grace, a firm believer in class meetings, and did all in her power to bring up her children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord; and such was her gentle and quiet influence, that largely through her example all her children, one son and four daughters, are members of the Christian Church, all with one exception members of our own Connexion, the other is a member of the Wesleyan Church.

For some time before she died she had an impression that her end was near, and said she was ready and waiting for the call. About a week before her death she had an attack of paralysis and lost her speech.

On Sunday, November 12, 1899, she fell asleep and departed to be with Christ, which is far better. She was buried in the Audlem Cemetery, service being conducted by the Rev. H. Owen.

Mrs. Mary Smith was a most remarkable woman, a Methodist of the Hugh Bourne type such as are rarely seen in- the present day. The world cannot but be better because she has lived in it. What more can be said, or need be said, of any woman, than that her children arise up and call her blessed. May her husband, son, and all her daughters meet her in heaven.

Family

Mary was probably Mary Barnett, baptised at St. Mary, Acton, Cheshire on 24 October 1819. Her parents were William, a labourer, and Elizabeth.

She married George Smith (abt 1825-1902), a farmer, in late 1852 at Chester, Cheshire. Census returns identify seven children.

  • Martha (b1853)
  • William (b1855) – a law clerk and assistant overseer of the poor 91911)
  • Harriet (b1857)
  • Mary (b1859)
  • Charlotte (b1861) – married Benjamin Jackson, a bookbinder, in 1884
  • Elizabeth (b abt1863)
  • Ann (b abt1865)

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1901/944

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

 

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