Walton, William (1841-1914)

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

In the translation of William Walton, Sheffield Primitive Methodism lost one of her best sons and the city one of its noblest citizens. Born in a Yorkshire village, January 26th, 1841, he passed within the veil September 18th, 1914. Commencing life with few advantages, he attained and filled for forty-five years the post of foreman of the Highways Department of Sheffield. 

For over half a century he was honourably and usefully associated with our Church. One of the first members of Princes Street Mission, he later joined John Street Church, where for many years he served with rare fidelity and usefulness, and especially as teacher of the young men’s class, two members of which, Revs. J.H. Hirst and W.A.R. Collins, are now rendering distinguished service in our ministry. Removing to Ecclesall a few years ago, he and his family did very much to establish our new society at Endcliffe.

The end came suddenly, and on September 21st his body was laid to rest.

Family

William was born on 26 January 1841 at Wales, Yorkshire (a village to the east of Sheffield), to parents Valentine Walton, who worked the land (1841) and was later a road surveyor (1861), and Sarah Hinchcliff. He was baptised on 21 February 1841 at Wales.

Census returns identify the following occupations for William.

• 1861 labourer
• 1871 foreman of highways
• 1881 over checker of highways
• 1891 foreman of highways
• 1901 overlooker of highways
• 1911 highway foreman Sheffield

He married Fanny Husbands (1841-1910) on 19 May 1863 at St Michael and All Angels, Bramcote, Nottinghamshire. Census returns and birth records identify seven children.

• Elizabeth (1863-1930) – married William Henry Machin, a manager of surgical instrument works (1911), in 1883
• Sarah Frances (1865-1891) – married Nettleship Bingham, a grocer’s assistant (1891), in 1890
• John William (b1870) – a mason (1891)
• Thomas Husbands (1873-1873)
• James Edward (1875-1950) – a stone mason (1901)
• Arthur (b1879) – Co-operative clerk (1911)
• Herbert (1881-1915) – a cost clerk (1911)

William died on 18 September 1914 at Sheffield, Yorkshire.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1915/413

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers