Knibb, William (1847-1880)

A transcription of William’s obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine is attached.

Joseph Ferguson writes as follows about his character; “ His bearing was gentlemanly and gentle, and gave especial pleasure to different classes with various tastes. He was meek in spirit, and enjoyed the benediction of the peacemaker. His convictions were intelligent and deep, but they did not in him, as in many others, excite to enthusiasm. He patiently sought the end desired; his ministrations were quiet and thoughtful, and compassed the well-known round of gospel truth. He was successful in his work. Rough, low men, once despised by religious fastidiousness, but now somewhat polished and socially elevated, will, in the day of God, ‘be the stars of the crown of his rejoicing.’ 

As a colleague he was obliging and faithful; as a husband he was affectionately considerate. His children were his joy and life-charm, and his love to them shone out in deeds that will long live in memory’s richest soil. As a friend he was honest and honourable; he was genial and good-hearted, free from guile and full of affection. He never indulged in rancorous and splenetic expressions relative to his brethren; being good himself, he easily recognised good in others, and he rejoiced in a freedom from that peevishness and fretfulness which is the weakness of some and the life-bane of others.” 

Family

William was born on 7 October 1847 at Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, to parents Charles, a stone mason (1861), and Mary. He was baptised on 31 October 1847 at Great Berkhampsted.

He married Emma Dakin (abt1849-1933) in the summer of 1873 in the Nantwich Registration District, Cheshire. Census returns and birth records identify two children.

• Lilian Elizabeth (1874-1948) – married Ralph Henry Gent, a PM minister, in 1907
• Elsie Emma (1875-1890)

William died on 17 March 1880 at Presteigne, Radnorshire. He was buried at Leek, Staffordshire.

Circuits

• 1869 Nantwich & Crewe
• 1871 Talke
• 1873 W Bromwich
• 1876 Old Hill
• 1878 Asbury
• 1879 Presteign

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1881/115

PM Minutes 1880/9

W Leary, Directory of Primitive Methodist Ministers and their Circuits, 1990

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers