Stocking, Barnabas (1816-1914)

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Transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by J.D.

On November 10th, 1914, Mr. Barnabas Stocking, of Acton, in the Ealing Circuit, passed away in the ninety-ninth year of his age. He was born in East Anglia, and very early in life was brought into contact with Primitive Methodism, becoming a member of our Church more than eighty years ago. Very soon he began to be useful, and as a local preacher did excellent work in the villages of Suffolk. 

In the early fifties of last century he removed to London, and in the metropolis manifested the same enthusiasm in religious work. Identifying himself with what was then the London Second Circuit, he laboured most ardently, and at the request of the late Rev. George Lamb he missioned Notting Hill. 

Previous to the end he had been “out of action” for some time, but he ever remembered with pleasure the “fighting days’ of the past. His wife, the partner of his life for so many years, predeceased him. She was a godly woman and helped her husband in every way. The funeral took place at Acton, and was conducted by Rev. J. Dobson, assisted by Rev. W. Roberts. He had lived a long life, and his works follow him.

Family

Barnabas was born abt1816 at Onehouse, Suffolk, to parents Jonathan, a gardener (1841), and Susan.

Census returns identify the following occupations for Barnabas.

• 1851 carpenter
• 1861 carpenter
• 1871 carpenter & Local Methodist preacher
• 1891 builder
• 1901 living on own means
• 1911 retired builder

He married Maria Garwood (1820-1852) in the spring of 1842 in the Ipswich Registration District, Suffolk. Census returns identify five children.

• Frederick William (1843-1926) – a builder’s assistant (1911)
• Thomas Jonathan (1844-1927) – a carpenter (1911)
• Emma Anna (1847-1879) – married William Looker, a railway employee, in 1873
• Elizabeth Susannah (1850-1918)   
• Caroline Maria (1852-1916) – married George James Dullea; married Frederick John Edwards, a warehouseman, in 1886      

He married Mary Ann Eden (abt1828-1907) in the summer of 1859 in the West London Registration District. Census returns identify four children.

• Amelia Eden (1860-1945) – a dressmaker (1891)      
• Herbert Edward (1864-1941) – a builder (1901)
• Ellen Rosanna (1866-1945) – married Robert Dunridge Ford, a schoolmaster (1921), in 1890
• Frank Barnabas (1868-1945) – a builder (1891)

Barnabas died on 10 November 1914 at Acton, Middlesex.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1915/416

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers