Edwards, Thomas (1819-1905)

Transcription of Obituary In the Christian Messenger

THOMAS EDWARDS.— Thomas Edwards was born at Ashley Moor. When about nineteen years of age he was brought under deep conviction, and realized a sense of sin forgiven while walking along Adley Moor Lane, on the Leintwardine Circuit. Shortly after his conversion he began to labour for the Master, and he laboured earnestly, acceptably, and successfully as a local preacher for over half a century. He preached and held prayer meetings in the homes of the people at Bucknell before the chapel was built, and held open-air services in different parts of the neighbourhood to persuade men to be reconciled to God. In the midst of a life of toil and trial he was a firm believer in an all-wise and overruling Providence. He held the eternal verities of our faith with a firm grip, and rejoiced in the clear consciousness of his acceptance with God. As the end of life approached he was called upon to suffer, but “he endured as seeing the Invisible.” The assistance afforded by the “Local Preachers’ Aid Fund” proved an incalculable blessing to him, and no one could more gratefully appreciate it than he. To those who visited him on his death-bed he gave every satisfaction of his readiness for the inheritance of the saints in light, and rejoiced in the special manifestations of God to him in his sufferings. Truly, he was a ripe shock of corn ready for the heavenly garner when the end came on day, February 27th, 1905. The writer improved his death in Bucknell Chapel to a deeply sympathetic congregation on Sunday evening, March 19th. May all his loved ones meet him where death is swallowed up in victory!

WILLIAM CLULOW.

Family and other information

Thomas was baptised on 31 January 1819 at Orleton, Herefordshire. His parents were Thomas and Mary.

Thomas began his working life as an agricultural labourer. The 1871 and 1881 census returns describe him as a farmer of 24 acres. The 1901 census gives his occupation as mole catcher.

Thomas married Martha Greenhouse (1820-1890) on 20 March 1842 at Clungunford, Shropshire. Census returns identify seven children.

• Mary (b1847)
• Edward Tilley (1848-1920) – a labourer
• Hannah Tilley (b1850)
• Betsy (b1855)
• Sarah (b abt1857)
• George (abt1858-1896) – an agricultural labourer and waggoner (1891)
• Henry (1860-1861)

Thomas married Ellen Jordan (b abt1848) in late 1899 at Bucknell, Shropshire.

References

Christian Messenger 1905/411

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers