Scales, William (1838-1910) and Robert (1850-1910)

Transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by T.G.

About two days apart, two brothers passed into the homeland, both from the Pickering Circuit. Mr. William Scales died at Thornton-le-Dale, on February 9th, aged 72, after several years of paralysis. 

His church work in the days of his strength was of a strenuous order. He was a trustee, leader and school superintendent at Daisy Hill, Bradford. From Adel, where he served as a Parish Councillor, he and his wife walked four miles to the chapel at Kirkstall. He loved the services of the sanctuary, and at Thornton often painfully and slowly made his way there when strength and walking power were unequal. 

As he lived he died, and by the wish of the widow his remains were the first to be interred in the village churchyard with Primitive Methodist rites. Rev. T.. Graham conducted the service in the presence of a large assembly of friends.

Mr. Robert Scales died at Pickering, February 7th, aged 60. His call came suddenly. For two years he had lived in town, where his voice was familiar in prayer and class meeting. He will be remembered for his delight in song. During a long period he stood as a pillar in the Moorland Society at Stape, where he discharged with fidelity and acceptance the duties of trust treasurer and leader.

He was a frank, honest Christian, with an attractive disposition, and his passing evoked an unusual measure of open sympathy. The interment took place in Pickering Cemetery on Saturday, February 12th, a service being previously conducted in the house by the Rev. T. Graham. 

Family

William was born in 1838 at Pickering, Yorkshire, to parents George, who worked the land (1851) and Hannah.

Census returns identify the following occupations for William.

• 1851 farm labourer
• 1861 farm servant
• 1871 domestic gardener
• 1881 gardener
• 1891 gardener
• 1901 domestic gardener

He married Elizabeth Holmes (1840-1916) in early 1862 in the Pickering Registration District, Yorkshire. Census returns identify two children.

• Hannah (1863-1938) – a dressmaker (1891); married Elisha Boyce, a mechanical engineer (1901), in 1893
• Alice (b1864) – a dressmaker (1881)

William died on 9 February 1910 at Thornton-le-Dale, Yorkshire.

Robert was born in 1849 at Pickering, Yorkshire.

Census returns identify the following occupations for Robert.

• 1871 agricultural labourer
• 1881 gardener
• 1891 gardener
• 1901 gardener

He married Rachel Hart (1855-1878) in early 1876 in the Pickering Registration District, Yorkshire.

He married Hannah Brown (1854-1927) in the spring of 1884 in the Scarborough Registration District, Yorkshire. Census returns identify four children.

• George (1885-1942)
• Alfred (1886-1938) – a grocer’s assistant (1911)
• William (b1888) – assisting in market garden business (1911)
• John (b1890)   – assisting in market garden business (1911) 

Robert died on 7 February 1910 at Pickering, Yorkshire.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1910/321

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers