Travis, Joseph (1843-1933)

Christian Messenger 1913

Transcription of ‘Sketch’ In the Christian Messenger

MR. JOSEPH TRAVIS bears an honoured name in our Church. He is related on his father’s side to one of our most stalwart denominational leaders. He springs from Lancashire, and was born December 16th, 1843. His early years were full of change, owing to the moving about of his parents to different parts of the kingdom. His youth was full of perils, and he speaks of these years as “dark days of drifting.”

About the year 1863 our Primitive Methodist friends held open-air services on London Fields, Hackney. He was deeply impressed by these services, which were the means of producing serious thoughts, and subsequently change of life. In a mission meeting in Goldsmith Row, Hackney, he surrendered himself to Christ. Then followed an earnest devotement to Christian work, varied and enthusiastic: in the Ragged School Mission, among the City arab, in the Port of London, among the sailors, and in other places where doors opened, to bring to the neglected the message of hope.

For this work he received considerable recognition, and possesses treasured memorials of such appreciation. In 1882 he removed from the East of London to Shepherd’s Bush, and immediately connected himself with our Dalling Road Church, Hammersmith. Here he began a course of usefulness, which, if more concentrated than formerly, has proved no less intense and influential. As local preacher and Class leader he has served with marked ability.

He has had a more than ordinary share of domestic troubles, but these have left no traces upon him, save of richness of experience and tenderness of service. He is a brother beloved. He speaks out of a heart divinely nourished.

Family and other information

Joseph was born at Brecknock, Breconshire. His father was Christopher Travis.

Census returns identify the following occupations for Joseph.

  • 1871 assistant foreman on docks
  • 1881 school board clerk
  • 1891 school board officer
  • 1901 school board officer
  • 1911 pensioned school attendance officer

Joseph married Emma Eliza Daniels (1849-1929) on 25 December 1871 at St. Botolph, Aldgate, London. Census returns identify thirteen of fourteen children.

  • Emma Eliza (b1872)
  • Joseph Ernest (b1874)
  • Alice Sarah (1875-1951) – a fine art shop assistant (1901)
  • Edgar (1877- 1939) – a commercial traveller (1904)
  • Eleanor Maud (b1879) – an ironmonger’s cashier (1901): married George Edward Gilbert, an estimating clerk, in 1902
  • Lilian Jessie (1881-1976) – a draper cashier (1901); married Claud Harry Swan, an accountant’s clerk, in 1909
  • George Herbert (b1883) – a clerk in waste paper warehouse (1901)
  • Christopher Percy (b1885) – a gentleman’s valet (1911)
  • Kate Edith (abt1887-1960) – a typist (1911)
  • Richard Cecil A (b abt1889)
  • Daisy Ethel (b1891) – a desk cashier (1911)
  • May Dorothy (b1893) – an entering clerk (1911)
  • Constance Irene (b1896) – married John H Connor in 1919

Joseph died in the spring of 1933 at Shepherds Bush, London.

References

Christian Messenger 1913/239

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

 

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