Sturdy, George (1839-1913)

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Transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by R.A.B.

Kirbymoorside and district suffered a great loss in the passing of Brother George Sturdy on December 4th 1913. A local preacher of over thirty years’ standing, he had remarkable success in bringing men to a decision for Christ. Prior to his conversion, nearly forty years ago, he led a very wild life. He never cared to talk of these times; when he did it was only to show the power of the gospel in his own life. Though his own Church and Sunday School had always the first claim upon his time and energy, he was heart and soul with the Adult School Movement, and was President of the Kirbymoorside branch held at the Friends’ Meeting House. 

Of transparent sincerity and of becoming humility, he was loved by all who knew him. It was an inspiration to visit him during his illness and to witness his confident faith in God. 

The funeral was conducted by Revs. J. Bilton and R. A. Buckley.

Family

George was born in the summer of 1839 at Kirbymoorside, Yorkshire, to parents Jeremiah Sturdy, a farm labourer (1851), and Alice Storr. He was baptised on 7 September 1839 at Kirbymoorside.

Census returns identify the following occupations for George.

• 1851 scholar
• 1861 plumber
• 1871 tin plate worker
• 1881 tin plate worker gas manager
• 1891 tin plate worker
• 1901 tin plate worker
• 1911 tin smith

He married Mary Allison (1843-1906) in late 1863 in the Gainsborough Registration District, Lincolnshire. Census returns identify six children.

• John William (1866-1939) – gas stocker & district superintendent to the Provident association (1891); gas manager (1911)
• Jane Elizabeth (1872-1958) – married Edward Southward, a bye workman in colliery (1911), in 1900
• George (1875-1961) – a blacksmith (1911)
• Charles Allison (1878-1889)
• Walter (1880-1967) – a fish dealer & auctioneer (1911)
• Fred (b1883) – house painter (1911)

George died on 4 December 1913 at Kirbymoorside, Yorkshire.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1914/497

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers