Andrews, William (1841-1901)

Transcription of Obituary In the Christian Messenger

WILLIAM ANDREWS was born at Hawkesbury Upton, in the Malmesbury Circuit, in the year 1841. His parents were rigid Calvinists. They threatened to turn their son William from their home when he, at the age of 17 years, gave himself to Christ and joined the Primitive Methodist Church. But he remained loyal to the people whose ministry had saved him. It was under the preaching of I.S. Nullis that William Andrews found the Saviour. Before that event he had been a scoffer of the people of God. Soon after his conversion he became a Local Preacher. His ministry will long be remembered. He was no superficial talker. He knew his way to the treasury of Divine truth, and from it he gave to the people things both new and old. He was intensely loyal to his Church. The interests of Zion were put first. Social, political, and industrial matters were subordinated to the demands of the Church. If ever he betrayed hardness it was when he thought that someone of his fellow-members had shown unworthiness or disloyalty. He was given to hospitality. All the preachers have been entertained under his friendly roof. Those who served with him in the Gospel were more to him than his own kindred who were from God. Those who ‘kept the sayings’ were always sure of his welcome and love. For years his health was failing. But recently the decline became more patent. The shock of his loved son’s premature death further weakened him. His pains became very great. His devoted wife had to look helplessly on as her husband languished heavily and grievously into life. The end at last came. As the hush of night came to the tired world on January 18th, (the spirit of our dear brother took the wings of the morning and soared to God. On February 1st, we put the marred body of the noble man to sleep by the side of his son ‘Willie.’ Revs. S.J. Southwood and H.M. Hull conducted the largely attended funeral. The wife, children and Church have suffered a great loss, but we rejoice sincerely in what love has wrought for our brother. We leave him with his God till the time of re-union comes to gladden us.

Family and other information

William was born to parents James, a shoemaker, and Rachel.

He worked as an agricultural labourer, although the 1881 census describes him as a shepherd.

William married Henrietta Coates (abt1843-1932) on 21 July 1864 at Hawkesbury Upton, Gloucestershire. Census returns identify five children.

• William Henry (abt1866-1900)
• Annie Elizabeth (b1867)
• Joseph (b abt1872) – a joints stocks company secretary (1911)
• Hannah (b1875)
• Mary (b1877) – a servant (1891)

William died on 18 January 1901 at Hawkesbury Upton, Gloucestershire.

References

Christian Messenger 1901/159

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers