Kirton, Jane (1840-1899)

Transcription of Obituary In the Primitive Methodist Magazine

JANE KIRTON was born at Manea, in Cambridgeshire, on April 5, 1840. She was naturally of a quiet and gentle disposition, and ever manifested a thoughtful care for the interests of those around her, and took the greatest delight in promoting the welfare of others.

In her early days the loss of her mother brought many great responsibilities upon her in youth. She lived a good moral life, and was much esteemed and beloved by those who knew her, although she made no outward profession of religion.

In 1863 she married Mr. Thomas Kirton, who mourns her loss.  The great change of heart with the blessings of pardon and peace through believing was sought and obtained by her at the mercy-seat in her own home in the year 1866, and was brought about through the silent influence of the prayers and godly life of her husband, who some time previously had commenced to serve the Lord. Her conversion was not characterised by the enthusiastic or exciting experiences witnessed in the case of some, but as might have been expected from her naturally quiet and thoughtful disposition, was the result of much quiet thought and reflection upon the subject as it became daily more and more clearly and fully seen in the change wrought in the life and character of her husband. She at once united in fellowship with the children of God, and became a member of the Primitive Methodist Connexion at Manea, which at that time was part of the Downham circuit. The means of grace, both public and private, on Sunday and week-days were regularly attended, and became a source of spiritual strength and blessing to her soul, especially the class-meetings, which she found to be wells of salvation and times of great refreshing.

Coming to reside in Sheffield just twenty-one years ago, she, with her husband, joined the society at Grimesthorpe, afterwards finding it more convenient to join the society at Carlisle Street, in the Sheffield Third Circuit, in connection with which she continued to the end of her life. Her naturally retiring disposition and quiet demeanour kept her back from the more prominent positions in the Christian Church, whilst her residence during the last few years of her life at the farm at Lowshire hindered her from attending the means of grace as frequently as she desired, but her piety shone forth most brightly at home, and as ministering, Martha-like, to the servants of God, whether itinerant or local preachers, ever making them welcome, and doing her utmost to promote their comfort. Her liberality of disposition was such that she could frequently remind her husband than he must not go with a small contribution when a collection would be made, or the position of chairman had to be taken.

The sustaining power of God’s grace was powerfully and clearly demonstrated in the closing months of her life by the way in which she patiently endured the painful affliction from which she suffered. She had but few periods of cessation from pain, but her cheerful resignation and desire to avoid giving trouble to her friends was revealed by her thoughtfulness for them, and her expression of gratitude for their services. In the visitation of the Rev. M.B. Stamp during her illness her responses to the prayers offered were fervid and full of childlike confidence in the faithfulness of God to His promises and His loving tenderness. Truly her hope was bright, blooming with immortality and eternal life. As the end drew near she surprised the friends around who had never heard her sing before, although she took much pleasure in the services of praise, by commencing to sing with much sweetness and fervour, the hymn with the chorus:
“Hallelujah! send the glory! Hallelujah! Amen.
Hallelujah! send the glory and revive us again.”
Also the hymns —
“Wash me in the blood of the Lamb,
And I shall be whiter than snow.”
“Draw me nearer, blessed Lord.”
And —
“I am thine, O Lord,”
with others; the choruses being repeated again and again.

And now she is found among the blood-washed in the presence of the King, and strikes a loftier note and raises a higher strain as she sings: “Unto Him that hath loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, be glory and honour, dominion and power, for ever and ever.”

Family

Jane was born at Manea to parents Thomas, who worked the land, and Ann.

She married Thomas Kirton (1841-1924) on 8 May 1863 at Manea, Cambridgeshire. Thomas worked on the land, and latter became a farrier and dairyman. Census returns do not identify any children.

Thomas married Eliza Ann Stacey in the spring of 1901, having returned to Manea.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1901/551

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers