Elizabeth Parton, Little Wenlock

ELIZABETH PARTON was born at Little Wenlock, near the Wrekin, in Shropshire, October 25th, 1827. Her father died when she was five months old but ‘the Lord was a kind father to her, and provided for her daily wants.’

She was quiet and peaceable child and used no bad words and didn’t quarrel with other children. She was a very dutiful child and sympathetic to poor and afflicted people. ‘Still she did not fell much concern for the salvation of her soul till about six or seven months ago, when she joined the Primitive Methodist Society at Frame-lane, in Wrockwardine-wood circuit. From that time she was very diligent in attending the means of grace, and very earnest in seeking a preparation for heaven.’

She was a sickly child and got worse once she had joined with the people of God. ‘She, however, had no wish to live; on the contrary, she desired her death to take place before that of her parents, and as her bodily strength decayed, her soul ripened for eternal glory.’ She said to her mother “Do not weep for me; Christ is waiting to receive me. The Lord will provide for me better than you can.” She said to her grandmother “Lift me up; Jesus is waiting for me; yonder he is – I must go;” and then she added “Come, Lord Jesus, come now.” She died on the 3rd October 1844 aged 16.

(John Petty)

Ref: P.M. Children’s Magazine 1845 Vol 3 Page 1-5