Williamson, Ann (nee Noble) (1812-1848)

Transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by J Norton

ANN WILLIAMSON, whose maiden name was Noble, was born at Darley-abbey, near Derby. Her youth passed away without much anxiety for spiritual good. But at the age of eighteen years, as she was taking a pleasure-walk on a sabbath evening, she was told that John Wait, a popular local preacher, was preaching at the Primitive Methodist chapel. In search of momentary amusement, she listened outside the door. And while the 390th hymn was being sung, the necessity of fleeing from the wrath to come was powerfully impressed upon her mind. On her way home she resolved to devote herself to God. When she retired to rest, her distress would not permit her to sleep; she therefore arose, and, after pacing her room to and fro for some time, she laid her case in prayer before God, and loudly pleaded for mercy. She recalled to her mind the following lines of the before-mentioned hymn:

“Wash in the fountain of His blood—
This is the gospel day;”

and, like a conductor to the blind, they led her at once to the sinners Friend, on whom she believed, and arose from the conflict happy in God.

Her companions soon discovered the change in her conduct, and rallied their hostile forces to regain their lost ground. She joined our Society at Darley, and in a little while was called to exhort sinners to flee from the wrath to come, In 1834, on receiving a pressing invitation to travel, she removed to Bradwell, and thence to Bolton. But finding herself destitute of that degree of physical strength which was necessary to support the toils and requirements of a Primitive Methodist travelling preacher, she retired from the itinerant work, and, up to the time of her affliction, laboured as a local preacher with good success. She was much respected, and commanded large congregations.

Her lot, for some eight or ten years, was to experience a series of gloomy events. Poverty, painful afflictions of body, and severe conflicts of mind, bestrewed her path to heaven. During the last few years of her mortal existence she lived at Measham, in the Ashby-de-la-Zouch circuit, and opened her house for public worship. In the spring of 1848, her health gave way; and, after a painful affliction, she finished her course in peace on the 13th October. 

As she drew near her journey’s end, she often expressed a wish to depart and be with Christ. When I made reference to her infant and other little ones being left to hired care, she said it would all be right; God would find her motherless children a friend. To my brother she related what a clear sight she sometimes had of the holiness of God and of heaven; with the vision of which, I doubt not, she is now happily blessed.

Family

Ann was born in 1812 Darley Abbey, nr Derby, Derbyshire, to parents James and Elizabeth. She was baptised on 6 December 1812 at Derby.

She married William Williamson (abt1801-1879), a tea dealer (1851). I have not been able to identify a marriage record online. Birth records identify four children.

• George (b1842) – a cotton tape weaver (1861); a railway agent (1881); a cottage farmer (1901)
• Emma (1844-1878) – a fancy wool knitter (1861)
• Martha (18461856)

Ann (1848- a fancy wool knitter (1861); not identified after 1881

Ann died on 13 October 1848 at Measham, Leicestershire.

Circuits

• 1835 Bolton (6 mths)
• 1835 Bradwell (18 mths)
• 1837 disappears

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1849/137

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers