Smith, John (1833-1915)

Transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by Leonard Miles

In the passing of Mr. John Smith, of North Sutton Farm, Craven Arms Station has lost a true friend, a loyal supporter and an untiring worker. Fifty-four years ago he found salvation, and for fifty years he has distinguished himself as a local preacher, class leader, society steward, and for some time circuit steward.

Up to the age of eighty-three he walked two miles every Sunday morning to the public service at Peaton, and not infrequently preached and creditably sustained the pulpit at short notice. He took great interest in the circuit as a whole. In the home he took the initiative in family devotion and Bible reading, and was ably supported in this by his devoted wife who survives him. His children rise up to call him blessed. He was a good father, a kind neighbour and a devout Christian.

Family

John was born in 1833 at Diddlebury, Shropshire, to parents John, who worked the land (1851), and Sarah. He was baptised on 1 December 1833 at Diddlebury.

Census returns identify the following occupations for John.

1851 shoemaker
1861 journeyman shoemaker
1871 cordwainer and farmer of 25 acres
1881 shoemaker & farmer of 20 acres
1891 bootmaker & farmer
1901 farmer
1911 farmer

He married Emma Evans (1845-1919) on 6 April 1868 at Stanton Lacy, Shropshire. Census returns identify four children.

George (b1869) – a carpenter (1891)
Alfred (1873-1919) – farmer’s son working on farm (1911)
Jonathan (1876-1904) – a shepherd (1901)
Annie (1879-1961) – farmer’s daughter (1901); married Benjamin Massey, a farmer & haulier (1911), in 1905

John died in the spring of 1915 at North Sutton Farm, Diddlebury, Shropshire.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1915/832

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers