Smith, Robert Bruce (1825-1914)

Christian Messenger 1908
Primitive Methodist Magazine 1915

Transcription of ‘Sketch’ in the Christian Messenger

Robert Bruce Smith was born at Drux, in the East Riding of Yorkshire, in 1825. He was converted to God in early life and joined our church just sixty-one years ago in his native village which had just been missioned by the late Rev. J. Garner. Through these long years Mr. Smith has been closely connected with our cause, attending other churches only where he resided where our church had no existence. In his early years he was most intimate with some of the veterans of our church. He delights to speak of such men as the sainted John Petty, R. Smith and R. Tanfield, whose influence did much to shape his life. Some thirteen years ago Mr. Smith came to reside with his eldest son, Dr. Bruce Smith, Principal of Ealing Grammar School. He at once joined our church, and for the past ten years has been a most devoted Class leader. It is not surprising that our brother retains much of the religious ideals and phraseology of an earlier time, John Garner and John Petty were men of robust character and of high spirituality. They had known what persecution was; their religion had been developed amid the stern conditions which prevailed sixty and seventy years ago. The trials and persecutions and hardships of those days developed a robust type of religious life, and made men with an abiding sense of the spiritual world, and a reliance on the power of God which was one of the great secrets of their success. It was by such men that our brother was trained. He belongs to the old type, he believes that converted men and women should have an experience, and be glad to express it.

Though over eighty-two years old he is most regular and punctual at his class. He feels the burden of his years, but as he says in his experience he is “already packed up and waiting.”

W. Roberts.

Family and other information

Robert was born in 1825 at Drax, Yorkshire.

His obituary records that for many years Robert was associated with the Ebenezer Church, York. Later circumstances led him into Lancashire and South Wales before he settled at Ealing.

Census returns identify the following occupations for Robert.

  • 1851 agricultural labourer
  • 1861 flour warehouseman
  • 1871 coal agent
  • 1881 general carter
  • 1891 labourer
  • 1901 retired farmer
  • 1911 private means

Robert married Agnes (abt 1830-1893) census returns identify five children.

  • Benjamin Bruce (1850-1912) – a schoolmaster
  • Robert Edward (b abt1853)
  • Charles Henry (b1855)
  • Frederick (b1860) – a general labourer (1881)
  • Willie (b abt1874) – a collier (1891)

Robert died on 12 October 1914 at Ealing, London.

References

Christian Messenger 1908/209

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1915/497

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

Note: Records after 1891 record the surname as Brucesmith for Robert and Benjamin.

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