Wyatt, Charles (1845-1898)

Transcription of Obituary In the Primitive Methodist Magazine

Brother  Charles Wyatt was born in the village of Brize Norton, in the Witney Circuit, Oxfordshire, September 17th, 1845. Being left fatherless at a very tender age, he was required to begin work when seven years old to assist in supporting his widowed mother. He proved a diligent and faithful servant and worked on the same farm for twenty years. When thirteen years old, in 1858, by the agency of our own Church, he was brought to God. Changed by Divine grace, he at once entered into close fellowship, and in two years, when but a laid of fifteen, was put upon the plan of the Witney Circuit, and in the usual course became a full local preacher. The Circuit at this time was very wide, and so numerous were the places that Brother Wyatt was often planned ten or twelve times in a quarter, frequently returning so fatigued that he was unable to work next day. Being very pious, an acceptable preacher, conscientious in the performance of his duties, and possessing considerable natural ability, our brother was desired on more than one occasion to seek entrance into the ministry. But, in deference to his mother’s wishes and needs, he stayed at home for her support.

In November, 1871, he removed to West Smethwick in the West Bromwich Circuit, in which station he continued a member an worker for twenty-seven years. In addition to continuing his local preachership, he sustained the office of class leader, superintendent of Sunday school and secretary for society. In 1884, he was sent as delegate to the District Meeting, the West Bromwich Circuit thus doing honour to one of its ablest and most faithful officials. In later years our brother was connected with Queen Street Church, and took a prominent part in leading a large Bible class, of which he was vice-president as long as he was able to attend. The last two years of his life he suffered much from heart complaint and was obliged to relinquish both his preaching and his daily employment. In June last year he returned, under medical advice, to his native place and so far rallied as to be able to preach on several occasions the last time being September, 1898. From this time his old malady became worse, and on Sunday morning, December 11th, he died and passed to the higher service of Heaven. He was interred at Swinbrook on the following Thursday. The vicar, although Mr. Wyatt was not his parishioner, very kindly permitted our minister, Rev. J. Jones, to conduct the service in his own way and expressed his deepest sympathy with the family and the church.  Our brother loved the deep things of God and preached in a manly and intelligent way the truth of our holy religion. When he could only speak in gasps, he told the writer that he had learned much through suffering, and felt that he had a genuine message of enlightenment and comfort for the people if he only might be permitted to deliver it However, it was not so. Brother Wyatt lived well and worked hard and, because of his worth and work, will be long held in memory and high esteem both in West Bromwich and Witney. “The memory of the just is blessed.”

Family

I have not been able to identify Charles in census returns before 1881.

The 1881 and 1891 census returns identify his occupation as foreman, nuts and bolts factory.

He was married to Harriett (b abt1848), who was born in Swinbrook, Oxfordshire. I have not been able to identify a marriage record. No children are identified in census returns.

Charles was interred on 15 December 1898 at Swinbrook, Oxfordshire.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1902/238

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

No Comments

Start the ball rolling by posting a comment on this page!

Add a comment about this page

Your email address will not be published.