Ireland, Isaac (1840-1904)

Transcription of Obituary In the Christian Messenger

ISAAC IRELAND, of Workington. — On Sunday morning, March 6th, 1904, Brother Isaac lreland passed away to his eternal home after many years of suffering and infirmity, borne with a patience and fortitude much admired by all who knew him. Though originally connected with the Wesleyan Church, he became a Primitive Methodist after his marriage, and maintained an unbroken membership for over forty-two years; and for forty years his name appeared on the local preachers” plan. He was a devout Christian man, and in his early manhood an acceptable local preacher; but for many years he was unable to render any public service through severe and chronic rheumatism. Incapable of movement, except in a bath chair, he was not so well known to the younger generation, but the older members speak of him as an acceptable preacher and valuable worker in the church. Occasionally, when less tortured with pain, he would be brought to the religious services, and would talk of those precious lessons for many days. To visit him and sit by his side was a benediction. Though so sorely crippled, he was always bright and cheerful, and intensely interested in the prosperity of Zion. He never murmured in the days of suffering, but lovingly praised God for His tender care and manifold blessings. The illness which terminated in death was of brief duration. Having caught a chill while going to one of his daughters’ houses, pneumonia supervened and despite all that medical skill and affectionate nursing could do, he passed away to his rest within a week of his seizure.

Visiting him but an hour before the end, he could only say to the writer, “Jesus my Saviour,” and as we knelt in prayer by his side, and commended him to God, he was heard to whisper “Yes, yes.”

His remains were laid to rest in the Workington Cemetery on Wednesday, March 9th, “in sure and certain hope of a resurrection to everlasting life”; and we thanked God that his years of suffering were ended and he has entered “the rest that remains for the people of God.”

F. RICHARDSON

Family and other information

Isaac was born abt 1840 at Great Clifton, Cumberland, to parents Joseph and Elizabeth. Joseph was a coal miner, an occupation with Isaac also followed.

Isaac married Jane Barber (1840-1884) in late 1862 in the Whitehaven Registration Distrct, Cumberland. Census returns identify four children.

  • Elizabeth (b abt1863)
  • Mary J (abt1868-1909) – married William Burrows, a steel rail worker, in 1896
  • Dora (1873-1937) – married John Potts, a brewer’s drayman, in 1899; married John Cowen in 1927
  • Eleanor (b1876)

References

Christian Messenger 1905/31

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

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