Thorp, Esther (nee Frudd) (1849-1913)

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Transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by M.K.

Mrs. Thorp, widow of the late Rev. G. Thorp, passed to the higher life on Tuesday, July 15th, and was interred at Hinckley on Friday, July 18th, but eight months after her husband. The loss of Mr. Thorp so unexpectedly was a great blow from which she never recovered. For some time prior to his death she was in feeble health, but hoped with attention and care to prolong her days. 

Born at Fernley in the Clayton West Circuit, of godly parentage, she was well brought up and diligently cultivated her religious life. From her youth up she loved the Lord, and throughout her life manifested a conduct consistently Christian. She knew whom she believed, hence her experience was real. Her early womanhood was spent in keeping house for her father, Mr. Frudd, until he died. When Mr. Thorp was bereft of his wife she was invited to go and take charge of the home and the three motherless children. Providence so directed that she should become the second Mrs. Thorp. The union was never regretted by either. It proved most happy. The children loved her. 

She was never in any sense a public woman. While thoroughly interested in everything that promoted the welfare of those around her, she was not fitted by nature to take any public post. Her chief sphere was her home. That she made a true haven of rest and peace to her husband and children. She fully sympathised with and assisted to the utmost of her ability all the projects for circuit extension in which her husband engaged. In organising and preparing for bazaars for new chapels and debt reduction she had her share, and no doubt her enthusiasm in this department of Christian toil accounted for much of the success of Mr. Thorp.

Family

Esther was born in 1849 at Middlestown, Yorkshire, to parents William Frudd, a coal miner (1851), and Sarah Dickenson.

Before her marriage Esther worked as a worsted weaver (1871 & 1881) and later a cook (1891).

She married Gad Thorp (1850-1912) a PM minister in late 1893 at Huddersfield, Yorkshire.

Esther died on 15 July 1913 at Hinckley, Leicestershire.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1913/913

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers