Transcription of obituary published in the Minutes of Conference by Joseph Timmins
OBADIAH HEATHCOTE was born near Buxton, in 1840. In early life he removed with his parents to Leek, in Staffordshire. He was blessed with a pious, prayerful, and wise mother. The influence of her piety and prayers was felt throughout the family. Her wisdom was manifested in sending her son to our Sabbath school, where he received religious instruction and good impressions, and he became a member of the Band of Hope.
When our brother was old enough to be put to a trade she acted the part of a good and thoughtful mother, by placing him under the care of a pious local preacher, whose spiritual life was revealed in his family matters and business transactions. Under these blessed influences, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, Mr. Heathcote was convinced of sin, and obtained salvation by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ. He became a member of our society at Leek. It was soon discovered that he possessed the capabilities of a useful local preacher, and his name was placed on the Leek circuit plan.
In 1864 he was called into our regular ministry. He has laboured successfully in the following stations: Sheerness, Red Hill, Aylsham, Downham, Hadleigh, St. Giles, Buxton, Newark, and Barrowford. He was a true Christian, and in his ministerial life he sought most earnestly the salvation of men; in business matters he was punctual, careful, and conscientious.
After many months of suffering his useful life on earth was ended by death, at Barrowford, on Friday, December 28th, 1888. In his death he was calm and hopeful. He was often heard to say, ‘The gates are open for me. I am going home; all is well.’ He was interred at Buxton on January 1st, 1889. May his good and faithful wife and the three dear children meet him in the heavenly home.
Family
Obadiah was born in 1840 at Macclesfield, Cheshire, to parents Joshua and Mary.
Before entering the ministry Obadiah was a baker and confectioner.
He married Betsy Sanders (1839-1921) in the summer of 1868 in the Chorlton Registration District, Lancashire. Census returns identify three children.
- Betsy Minnie (b1871) – a music teacher; married Samuel Wheeldon in 1892 – divorced 1905; married Thomas Hampson in 1912
- Frederick (1881-1959) – a commercial traveller (1909)
- Ernest (b abt1887) – a commercial traveller (1911)
Obadiah died on 27 December 1888 at Barrowford, nr Burnley, Lancashire.
Circuits
- 1865 Redhill
- 1867 Settle
- 1869 Hertford
- 1871 Diss
- 1872 Aylsham
- 1875 Downham
- 1879 Hadleigh
- 1880 Chalfont St Giles
- 1882 Buxton
- 1884 Newark
- 1886 Barrowford
References
PM Minutes 1888/9
W Leary, Directory of Primitive Methodist Ministers and their Circuits, 1990
Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers
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