Williamson, Ann Maria (nee Blanchard) (1849-1901)

Transcription of Obituary In the Christian Messenger

MARIA WILLIAMSON, the daughter of George and Ann Blanchard, of Cobra Farm, South Willingholme, entered upon this life September 19th, 1849. She was born again on a date of which we have but little information, though of the fact itself we have abounding evidence, and her third birthday into that life which is within the veil she celebrated on December 24th, 1901. She was united in wedlock to her esteemed husband, Mr. Williamson, on December 10th, 1870, in our Barton-on-Humber Chapel by the Rev. W. Harland, and they afterwards resided for some years at East Holton, where our sister proved herself to be emphatically a worker for Christ. As far back as 1878 she took a very active part in securing the erection of a new chapel there, during the able ministry of the Rev. Arthur Beanland, and always presided at the annual tea meeting, providing a tray gratis. Her esteemed class leader, Mr. D. Blanchard, of East Holton, writes: “I can only give a faint idea of the departed worth of that dear sister in Christ. She was always ambitious to do something for the Master, both in word and deed. And to the time of their leaving us she and her husband were zealous workers, nor was there ever a shy look, or an unpleasant word.” She worked in a quiet way, having very lowly views of herself. The violet is never so pretentious as the sunflower, but it is even more fragrant. The deep river makes not the noise of the foaming waterfall, but it contains a greater liquid volume. The mighty forces of growth and gravitation are silent. So our sister’s quiet piety was a great force. The two yearly men-servants kept in their house were generally converted ere the year expired, however rough they might be when they came. It was her delight to be a peacemaker. She would not hear anyone spoken against, and would say there are not many of us that can throw the first stone. In the class meeting, which she often attended, she had a flow of language that brought upon others an excellent influence. After their removal to Howsham, in the Brigg Circuit, the loss of a beloved daughter was to them a great trial, but it mellowed our sister’s experience. Her regard for the poor was exemplary and maintained to the last, so that the widows and the impoverished felt that in her departure they had lost a friend who had sought them out and helped them. The home of the Williamson’s has ever been open to the preachers, one of the ministers regularly staying with them. Nor has our sister’s decease interrupted this, for her husband and family believe as she did, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me.” Early in the year 1901 the affliction which ultimately proved fatal manifested itself. For a time hopes were entertained of her recovery, but as the year advanced the work of the fell destroyer became more marked. On several occasions during this period she expressed to Dr. Peach and others her unshaken confidence in God. The last scene was a somewhat brief one. She had just been arranging for her husband’s intended visit to the Brigg market, when the call of the Master came suddenly, and she quickly ascended the celestial staircase and passed into the presence-chamber of the King. That her sorrowing husband and family may there rejoin her is the prayer of the writer. HENRY PEACH.

Family and other information

Maria was born at South Killingholme, Lincolnshire. She married Thomas Williamson (b abt1849-1908). Census returns identify four children.

  • George Henry (1871-1940) – a farmer
  • Elizabeth Ann (1874-1897)
  • Joseph (1879-1940) – a harness maker (1911)
  • Charlotte (1880-1935) – running a boarding house in Hull (1911)

References

Christian Messenger 1903/127

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

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