Philip Maddocks was born in St. Helier, Jersey in 1850, the son of Primitive Methodist minister Philip Maddocks and his wife Lucinda Beck. In fact, Philip junior would begin his own clerical career as a Primitive Methodist minister serving between 1868-1873 on circuits at Chippenham and Stroud (among others) before becoming an Anglican vicar.
In 1880 Philip married Florence Jane Sherrat at St Mary’s, Birkenhead and at the time of the 1881 census he was working as curate at St Peter’s Church, Burnley. He arrived at St Barnabas, Gorse Hill in 1883 and at the time of the 1891 census he is recorded as living at St Barnabas Vicarage, 268 Cricklade Road with his wife Florence and their ten year old daughter Florence Ida Louise. A son, Cyril, was born the following year but died in 1895 aged three years old. A second daughter, Philippa, was born in 1897. Florence died in 1902 and Philip married Blanche McGovern in 1918.
Philip served at St Barnabas’ for 48 years and at his funeral was described as Swindon’s oldest vicar.
Rev. P. Maddocks,
Funeral of Swindon’s Oldest Vicar
The high esteem in which the late Rev. Phillip Maddocks, the first and only Vicar of St. Barnabas’ Church, Gorse Hill, Swindon, who had held the curacy of souls in that parish from its formation in 1890 – he was curate from 1883 – was held, was shown by the large congregation at the funeral, which took place on Saturday morning.
A crowded congregation attended at St. Barnabas’ Church at 10 a.m., when there was Requiem Mass. The celebrant was Canon A.G.G. Ross (vicar of St. Mark’s) and the Bishop of Malmesbury also took part in the service. Canon Ross also officiated at the graveside in the Radnor street cemetery.
Choral Service
The choir were in attendance, and special hymns were sung, Mr. J. Padgett presiding at the organ.
The Young Men’s Guild, of which the Rev. P. Maddocks was president, was largely represented.
The funeral arrangements were carried out by Mr. A.E. Smith, of Gordon road.
Extracts from the North Wilts Herald, Friday, March 20, 1931
Rev Philip Maddocks two daughters both died in Roundway Psychiatric Hospital in Devizes. Florence Ida Louise was first admitted for a short stay in April-September 1912. She died there in 1976 aged 95. Younger daughter Philippa died in Roundway Hospital in 1926 aged 29. Both women are remembered on the headstone.
Philip was buried in Radnor Street Cemetery in a double grave plot A882/3 with his first wife Florence, their two daughters and their young son.
This is the last resting place of Charles and Millicent Blackford.
Charles Herbert Blackford was born on August 8, 1898 in Malmesbury, one of wheelwright and carpenter Daniel Blackford, and his wife Kate’s four children. Millicent was born in Polperro, Cornwall on January 5, 1897, the daughter of fisherman Richard Libby and his wife Ellen.
Charles enlisted with the Royal Naval Reserve in 1916 and served for three years during the First World War. Upon demobilisation Charles joined the GWR. Using the UK Railway Employment Records it is possible to follow Charles’ career on the railways.
He began work as an engine cleaner in January 1919 before quickly becoming a fireman. An entry dated December 14 1920 records that he was making the fire upon engine 3412 when his hand was pinned against a piece of coal. Top of middle finger on his right hand was crushed.
By 1939 Charles was working as a temporary Acting Driver at Didcot, after which he worked as a driver in Swindon. During the Second World War he was working as a temporary Relief Supervisor.
Charles married Millicent Libby in the June quarter of 1923 and the couple had two children, Vilonia and Royston. Vilonia died in infancy. Royston followed his father into the railway works as a coach finisher. Charles and Millicent lived at 23 Poulton Street, Gorse Hill until the time of Charles’ death in 1962. (Millicent may have remained at that address after his death.)
Charles died in February 1962. Millicent survived him by 25 years. She died in 1987 at the age of 91. They are buried together in grave plot C3351-0. This area of the cemetery has experienced some renumbering of the plots, but Charles and Millicent’s grave has an elegant headstone and is easy to find.
The burial of infants depended very much on the parent’s financial situation. In the past some babies were buried in a family plot, their names added to the memorial at a later date. Others were placed in a communal grave with other babies. Vilonia is buried in this beautiful little grave, close to the path leading to the cemetery chapel.
I have come to think of those buried in Radnor Street Cemetery as belonging to one, very big, family.
This week I have been researching the life and times of Jacob and Anne Wheeler and fortunately I have been able to discover a lot about them – see below the accounts of their Golden Wedding anniversary and their obituaries published in the local press.
Then studying their family tree, a name suddenly jumped out at me. When Jacob Wheeler died in 1936 Probate was awarded to his son Richard Wheeler, a fitter and turner, and to his son-in-law Frank James Richman, a grocer.
My friend and colleague, Mark Sutton, military historian and author of Tell Them of Us – Remembering Swindon’s Sons of the Great War 1914-1918, would often talk about the two Richman brothers, killed in action during WWI.
Graham Carter, friend and co-founder of the Swindon Heritage magazine published 2013-2017 recently wrote about Mark:
‘Nobody ever did more for preserving the memory of Swindon war heroes than Mark, or knew more about their sacrifices. Whenever I spoke to him about it, it was almost as if he had been there with them. Swindon owes him a debt for what he did for those men.’
And so it was with the Richman brothers.
Frank was the elder brother of Archibald David and Alfred George Richman. He started work in the GWR offices at the age of 13. In 1909 he married Annie Mary Wheeler and at the time of the 1911 census they were living at 86 Kent Road with their baby daughter Phyllis. The couple went on to have more children and eventually Frank would take over the family’s grocery business. He didn’t go to war. Annie died in 1957 and Frank in 1969.
Swindon Veterans
Golden Wedding of Mr and Mrs J. Wheeler,
Family Re-Union
Mr and Mrs Jacob Wheeler, of 12 Deacon Street, Swindon, celebrated their golden wedding on Sunday. They were married on 30 December, 1879, at the old Baptist Chapel, at the corner of Fleet Street and Bridge Street, by the Rev. Frederick Pugh, who was the last Pastor at that Church, prior to the building of the Baptist Tabernacle, in Regent Circus.
Mr Jacob Wheeler is a Wiltshireman, being a native of Trowbridge, and his wife, Mrs Ann Elizabeth Wheeler, is eldest daughter of Mr Richard Harris, is a Swindonian and has resided in the town practically all her life.
Coming to Swindon in 1873, Mr Wheeler entered the service of the GWR Company and was for 38 years employed as a machineman in the Locomotive Department. For over 40 years Mr and Mrs Wheeler – Mr Wheeler is 78 years of age, and his wife three years his junior – resided in Haydon Street and removed to Deacon Street seven years ago. Mr and Mrs Wheeler have a family of four children – three daughters and one son – and 13 grandchildren.
Family Congratulations
There was a happy family re-union at her eldest daughter’s (Mrs Richman’s) home, 86 Kent Road, on Monday, and the aged couple have been the recipients of many congratulations and presents.
Mr Wheeler is one of the oldest members of the “Briton’s Pride” of the North Wilts District of the Ancient Order of Foresters. Both he and his wife have been for many years members of the Baptist Church.
During their long residence in Swindon they have witnessed the wonderful growth of the town. The district in which they now reside was green fields when Mr Wheeler came to Swindon.
North Wilts Herald Friday January 3, 1930.
looking down Deacon Street
Mrs A. Wheeler
Funeral of a Swindon Baptist Worker
The funeral took place on Saturday afternoon of Mrs Annie Elizabeth Wheeler, wife of Mr Jacob Wheeler, of 12 Deacon Street, Swindon.
Mrs Wheeler, who was 77 years of age had resided in Swindon practically all her life. She was the oldest member of the Baptist Church, having joined it when the services were held in the old church at the corner of Bridge Street and Fleet Street, many years before the Tabernacle was built. It is not long since Mr and Mrs Wheeler celebrated their golden wedding.
The first portion of the funeral service was conducted at the Tabernacle, where there was a large congregation of mourners. Mr. A.E. Ford was at the organ and played the “Dead March,” and the hymn “For ever with the Lord,” was sung.
The Pastor (the Rev. E.W. Probert) conducted the service and also officiated at the graveside in Radnor Street Cemetery.
Extracts North Wilts Herald Friday November 13, 1931.
The Late Mr J. Wheeler
Funeral of a Swindon Octogenarian
The funeral of Mr Jacob Wheeler late of 12 Deacon Street, who died at his daughter’s residence 31, Downs View Road, at the age of 84 years, took place on Monday afternoon. The service at the Baptist Tabernacle was conducted by Rev. C.H. Cleal, who also officiated at the interment in Radnor Street Cemetery.
Mr Wheeler, who was a native of the Westbury district, had lived in Swindon over 60 years and retired a quarter of a century ago from his employment as a machinist in the old G Shop of the GWR Works. For over 50 years he had been a member of the Baptist Church. He leaves a son and three daughters.
Extracts North Wilts Herald, Friday, 11 September, 1936.
Anne and Jacob Wheeler are buried together in grave plot A1095.
The Swindon School Board formed in response to a growing demand for school places in the rapidly expanding towns of New and Old Swindon. In 1881 the Board began an impressive programme of school building. By 1892 11 schools with 26 departments were up and running with 2 more due to open at Westcott and Gorse Hill increasing the available accommodation to 6,500 children.
In 1894 Swindon Schools were all graded “excellent.” A report delivered by H.M. Inspector on the examinations of Board Schools for 1895 stated that “Queenstown – The infants are in very good order. They have been taught with great care throughout the year, and have made excellent progress.” At Even Swindon School, where extensive building work had taken place throughout the year, the report stated that teaching had been “carried on with considerable difficulty. But the teachers have worked very hard, and, under the circumstances, the infants may be considered to have made excellent progress.”
Photo of Queenstown School taken in 1977 and published courtesy of Local Studies, Swindon Central Library
By 1897 there were more than 100 pupil teachers in Swindon Schools, a traditional route into teaching for bright children. Swindon Suffragette Edith New began her teaching career as a 14-year-old. This story is about Florence May Vivash, but there is a serendipitous connection to Swindon’s suffragette.
Florence May Vivash was the daughter of Jacob and Alethea Vivash. She was baptised at St. Mark’s Church on January 7, 1883. By 1891 the family were living at 9 Park Lane – Jacob, Alethea and their three children along with Alethea’s mother, Sarah Ann Bunce.
Florence began her teaching career as a pupil teacher at Even Swindon School. (The original building in Rodbourne was demolished in 2013. A new school with that name opened in 2007). In 1897 Florence passed an exam for Elementary School Teachers at the Swindon & North Wilts Technical School in Geometrical Drawing (Art). She later moved to Queenstown Infant School where she remained until her death in 1909.
Edith New was Assistant mistress at Queenstown Infant School from 1899-1901. Did their paths cross? Edith left Swindon for London in 1901 to teach in the deprived areas of Deptford and Lewisham. She resigned from teaching in 1908 to join the Women’s Social and Political Union and the campaign for Votes for Women. She returned to teaching in 1911, eventually retiring to Polperro, Cornwall where she died in 1951.
I’d like to think that Edith’s work and her involvement in the suffrage campaign were known to Florence. Sadly, Florence was unable to achieve her full potential. She died in 1909 as Edith was about to earn a place in history.
A Young Lady’s Death. – After a brief illness of a month Miss Florence May Vivash, of 9 Park Lane, Swindon, passed peacefully away in the early hours of Tuesday morning at the age of 26 years. The deceased was for some time a pupil teacher at Even Swindon School, and afterwards received two years’ training at the Home and Colonial College. She then became a teacher at Queenstown Schools, where she had been engaged for nearly six years. The funeral took place to-day.
Florence May Vivash, School Teacher, 26 years, was buried on May 28, 1909 in grave plot C1326. She is buried with her grandmother, Sarah Ann Bunce, who died in 1903, her mother, Alethea who died in 1913 and her father Jacob who died in 1917. A baby sister Alice, who died in April 1881 aged 8 months old, is buried in the churchyard at St. Mark’s.
New Year’s Eve 1915 and a ferocious fire swept through an out building in Eastcott Hill. A local businessman, Gabriel Morrell lost his life. Neighbours and six police officers fought the blaze, passing buckets of water hand to hand. Despite numerous calls to the Fire Station in Cromwell Street, no help arrived. The newspaper account stated that “the system of fire calls in the borough appears to be antiquated.”
Eastcott Hill
Tragedy
Swindon Tradesman Burnt to Death
A Mass of Fire
Fire Brigade Hear Nothing of Calls
New Year’s Eve in Swindon was marked by a shocking tragedy in which a well-known licensed victualler lost his life, and in connection with which the public will demand an enquiry into the system of Fire Brigade calls in vogue in the borough.
The victim of the tragedy was Gabriel Morrell, living in Eastcott Hill, where he had carried on a grocery and off-licensed business for four and twenty years. At half-past ten on Friday night the police were informed that Mr Morrell’s premises were on fire whereupon P.S. Molden, with P.C.’s Harris, Cowley, Mitchell and Stoper, at once hurried to the scene, where they were quickly joined by other members of the force. They were taken to the back of the premises, where they found a shed, used for storing lumber, on fire. The seat of the outbreak was evidently inside the building, and P.C. Harris proceeded to force open the door. The moment he succeeded a huge mass of flames burst forth, forcing him and the other officers standing near to retire for some distance. The policemen, setting to work with a will, seized buckets and such other vessels as they could lay hands upon, and began to dash the water they found in the soft water butts upon the flames. When that supply was exhausted they turned to the slower method of filling the pails from the taps on the premises and in the adjoining houses, work in which, under the guidance of Supt. Moore, who had now arrived, they were energetically assisted by a number of civilians.
A Shocking Discovery
Nearly half an hour passed by before they got the fire under control, and could venture into the shed. Then a shocking sight met their eyes. On the ground in the middle of the structure was a huddled up mass, which in spite of the dreadful manner in which it had been charred, was recognised as that of a human body. At once it was concluded that it was that of Mr. Morrell, who during this period of excitement not been seen, and further enquiries and search elicited the fact that he was nowhere to be found. A closer scrutiny showed that all the clothing had been burnt from the body except a belt which went round the waist. The body was lying on its back with the knees and arms tucked up over the trunk. The remains were carefully lifted on to sheets and blankets and removed by the police to the mortuary.
Calls for the Fire Brigade fail
In the meantime calls were made from the fire signal posts to the Fire Brigade, who, however, never arrived, but even if the Brigade had come upon the scene they would have been too late to save Mr. Morrell’s life, as there is little doubt that he was in a dead or dying condition at the time the police broke open the door of the burning shed.
After the removal of the body the shed, which was built of wood and had a slated roof, continued to burn until its existence became a source of danger. The remaining supports were then pushed away, and it collapsed. The building was 12ft long by 9ft wide, and 7ft or 7ft high at the eaves. It was not used for storing any of Mr Morrell’s stock-in-trade, but was employed for the storage of empty boxes, old newspapers, account books and rough lumber.
The Deceased Missing
It seems that at ten minutes past ten Mr Morrell took a candlestick to go out, as the family thought, to the lavatory – and thinking that his wife and two daughters, who were the only other occupants of the house, were going to bed, he wished them “Good night.” To this Miss Morrell replied. “We are not going to bed yet, dad; we are going to watch the old year out.” While Mr Morrell was out they had a light supper, after which they went upstairs to prepare for bed while witing for the passing of the old year. They noticed a slight odour of burning, but it was not until Miss Frances Morrell drew up the blind and saw smoke issuing from the shed that they were aware that anything was amiss. Mrs Morrell then called her husband, but got no answer. She and her daughters thereupon rushed out of the house seeking help, which promptly arrived. Some neighbours went to alarm the Fire Brigade, while others fetched the police.
Failing Health
The deceased, who was 57 years of age and a native of Chippenham, before coming to Swindon 25 or 26 years ago, was canteen steward to the Wiltshire Regiment, in which he enlisted many years ago at Swindon Fair. Having decided to settle in Swindon he went to work at the factory until he was able to secure a business suited to his taste. After a time he secured the license of the Railway Hotel; but he and Mrs Morrell did not care for the business and three months later removed to Eastcott Hill. Until recent years the deceased enjoyed good health, but latterly had complained of feeling unwell, and of pains in the region of the heart, telling his daughter on one occasion that no-one knew what he had suffered. He refused to see a doctor, saying that he could best doctor himself.
In addition to the widow and daughters living at home, there are two sons, both of whom are married and reside in distant towns.
The Brigade’s failure explained
With regard to the failure of the Fire Brigade to respond to the calls made by P.S. Pickard and others, our representative had an interview with Chief Officer J.N. Jefferies today. He said that he heard nothing of the matter until he reached the Town Hall this morning, and until he had made further enquiries could say nothing definite on the subject.
Other enquiries, however, have elicited the fact that the electrical call arrangements are in a condition far from satisfactory. Although calls were made from several stations the only one which proved to be in working order was that in Cromwell Street, which commenced to ring at 11 o’clock. The horse was got into the hose cart at the Fire Station and was ready to start, when an intimation was received that the fire was under control.
It is said that in process of time some of the wires of the alarm posts have become unreliable and that the recent storms have damaged overhead lines. The system of fire calls in use in the borough appears to be antiquated, and, judging by last night’s experience, and that of a previous occasion, when two motor-cars were destroyed, is unreliable and should give place to a better one.
Civilian Helpers
Amongst those who rendered valuable assistance were Mr. Walter Gregory, 7, Stafford Street, Mr Bernard Woodbridge, 129, Stafford Street, Mr William Gillett, 17 Dowling Street, Mr Johnson of the George Hotel, Eastcott Hill, Mr F.W. Trineman, greengrocer, Eastcott Hill, Mr William Rich, 10, Eastcott Hill, Mr Frederick Eagleton, 16 Eastcott Hill, Mr George Smith 42 Pembroke Street, and Mr Porter, hairdresser, Swindon Road.
Funeral of Mr Morrell
The remains of Mr Gabriel Morrell of Eastcott Hill, Swindon, who was burned to death in a shed on New Year’s Eve (as reported on page 2), were quietly laid to rest in Swindon Cemetery on Wednesday afternoon. The mourners – Mr Gabriel Morrell, Mr B.G. Morrell, Miss Morrell and Miss Frances Morrell (sons and daughters) Mr T.C. Boxall, Mr W. Boxall and Mr H.W. Coale (representing the Lamb Brewery, Ltd) – left the house at half past two, and met the hearse, which conveyed the coffin from the Mortuary to St. Saviour’s Church, where the service was conducted by the Rev. J.H. Kemmis, who also read the committal sentences at the graveside. Flowers were sent by the widow, the sons and daughters, Mr. and Mrs J. Franklin and family (Chippenham), Mr and Mrs A. Seale and family (London), Mr and Mrs Winchcombe and family, Mr T.C. Boxall and family, Mr J. Hill and family, Miss May Fowler, Mrs Smith and Miss Dolly Smith.
Since the sad occurrence it has become known that, at the time of his death, Mr. Morrell was wearing a coat in the pockets of which he carried recently-issued Treasury notes representing a considerable amount. These were, of course, completely destroyed, and it unfortunately happens that Mr. Morrell kept no record of them.
In November 1911, Mr and Mrs Morrell’s house was burglarously entered, and money and a quantity of goods stolen. It was after this that Mr Morrell, who had eccentric ideas concerning the banking of money, procured a revolver for self protection.
We understand that the question of the failure to get into communication with the Fire Brigade is being investigated and that a report will be presented to the Town Council in due course.
North Wilts Herald, Friday, January 7, 1916.
The Fire Brigade pictured outside the Cromwell Street Fire Station in about 1910. Published courtesy of P.A. Williams and Local Studies, Swindon Central Library.
Gabriel Morrell, aged 57, was buried in grave plot E7596 on January 1916. Frances, his daughter, married Percy William Martin later that same year. Percy died aged 25 and was buried with Gabriel on November 5, 1918.
George Eatwell was born in Winterbourne Bassett in about 1841, the fifth son of William Eatwell and his wife Mary. He was the youngest of the brothers actively involved with the Primitive Methodist Church. He first appears in Swindon on the 1861 census lodging with the Pressey family in Old Town and working as an agricultural labourer. In 1863 he married Fanny Vivash.
George had a number of occupations during his working life. In 1869 he was working as a Tea Dealer and in 1871 he ran a boarding house at 5 Station Road where a whole clutch of Vivash relatives were staying on census night. In 1881 he was the proprietor of the Temperance Hotel at 2 Station Road where he lived with Fanny and their six children plus a servant and three boarders. By 1891 he was living at 32 Gloster [Gloucester] Street and still running his cab business.
Cab Stand. – Application was received from George Eatwell, of Station-road, for permission to stand a cab near the large lamp in front of the GWR Station. It appeared that one side of the lamp is railway property, and the other public. On this latter permission is already given to one cab proprietor, and it was decided to give the same to the present applicant.
The Swindon Advertiser, Saturday, October 3 1885.
But throughout it all ran his faith and his work within the Primitive Methodist Church.
George was appointed along with Rev. T. Powell to secure a room in Clifton Street for Sunday afternoon meetings. In 1880 cottage services took place in the home of J. Deacon and later in Horatio Westmacott’s house. There were also open air meetings. In 1882 a chapel was built on land gifted by James Hinton at the Clifton Street cemetery gates. In 1900 a larger chapel was built next to the first one, which was then used as a schoolroom.
In 1887 both George and his brother Maurice are mentioned in the following report:
Regent Street Primitive Methodist Chapel
Presentation to the Chapel Secretary
During the week ended Saturday last a most successful evangelical mission was conducted at the above place of worship by Miss Plowman, of Uffington. On Saturday evening there was a tea meeting in the School-room, as which about 90 persons sat down. The ladies who presided at the tables were: Mrs Herridge, Mrs Morse, Mrs Elliot, Mrs M. Eatwell, Mrs Sheppard, Mrs Neale, Mrs Green, and Mrs Franklin.
A public meeting was afterwards held in the chapel, at which there was a large attendance. This meeting was made the occasion of presenting Mr C. Hill, the energetic secretary of the Regent street Chapel, with a marble time piece and an illuminated address, in recognition of services rendered by him during many years.
The chair was occupied by Mr Maurice Eastwell, who was supported by Miss Plowman, the Rev. J. Herridge, the Rev. Richards, and Messrs L.L. Morse, Geo. Eatwell and C. Hill.
The Chairman, in the course of a few opening remarks, observed that they had been holding special and protracted services at that chapel for some time past, all of which had proved successful. He alluded to the great success which they experienced some six years ago, and said he trusted that a similar prosperity would accompany their labours at the present time.
Mr George Eatwell next addressed the meeting. He said what a blessing it was that they were enabled to put forth some efforts to reclaim the outcast. He feared that when they did not put forth strong efforts to bring about the saving of souls it was because they did not themselves partake of the blessings which God provided for them.
Extracts The Swindon Advertiser, Saturday, November 26, 1887.
George died at his home in Gloucester Street on December 4, 1896. He was buried in grave plot C780 where Fanny was later to join him following her death in 1910.
There can be no denying the contribution and the influence of members of the non-conformist congregations to the development and prosperity of Swindon.
The necessity for a new burial ground in Swindon in the last quarter of the 19th century was driven by two factors. The continuing expansion of the Great Western Railway Works and the growth of the town had created a dire need for more burial space. Furthermore, the growth of non-conformity in Swindon saw a demand for a burial ground where members could bury their loved ones independent of the rites of the Church of England.
The Primitive Methodist movement began in Swindon with the establishment of ‘the Wiltshire Mission’ in 1824. The Primitive Methodists were a breakaway group from the main Methodist Church. Led by a preacher called Hugh Bourne, members stressed simplicity in their chapels and their form of worship and gave new focus to the role of lay people in their church. Among those mentioned in the Official Handbook of the Brinkworth & Swindon Centenary District Synod 1910 were the Eatwell brothers.
Maurice Eatwell was born in 1830 in Winterbourne Bassett, the second of five sons. His parents William and Mary both worked as agricultural labours, as did all five boys.
Maurice married Ameilia Hibberd in Melksham in 1851 and the couple had six daughters (Emily born in 1859 died in 1860). By 1871 the family had moved to Swindon and were living at 20 Havelock Street. In 1881 Maurice, Amelia and their two youngest daughters were living at 12 Brunel Street where Maurice, then aged 50, is described as Railway Labourer Prim[itive] Methodist Local Preacher.
The couple’s home at the time of the 1901 census was 7 Ashford Terrace where they lived with their married daughter Elizabeth, her husband James Hart and their 6 year old granddaughter Madeline Hart.
The Radnor Street Cemetery burial registers record that Maurice Eatwell Retired Insurance Agent aged 74 years living at 79 Ashford Road, was buried on October 8, 1904 in grave plot D26, a public grave. He is buried with his wife Amelia who died in 1906.
Death of Mr Maurice Eatwell
A well known Swindon Methodist
On Tuesday last, after a long and painful illness, Mr Maurice Eatwell, of 79 Ashford Road, Swindon, quietly passed to his rest. Until a few years ago, when he had a physical breakdown, his life had been a strenuous one. Although denied even the rudiments of an education during his boyhood, yet later he succeeded in acquiring sufficient information to qualify him for much acceptable service in the Primitive Methodist Church, of which he was for 56 years an enthusiastic member and official.
He was also greatly interested in politics, and for many years gave much time to canvassing, and in various ways sought the promulgation of the principles of Liberalism.
Mr Eatwell was born on May 3, 1830, at Winterbourne Bassett. At the age of 18 years he was converted, and soon after authorised to accompany Mr George James to his preaching appointments. In 1851 Mr Eatwell married Amelia Hibberd, who survives him. After a residence of eight years at Clack, he removed to Swindon, where he remained until his death.
He has represented the Brinkworth District of Primitive Methodist Churches in the annual Conference once, and his Circuit in the District Assembly three times. He has also filled the office of Circuit Steward, [succeeding Charles Morse, head of the influential Primitive Methodist Morse family] and has been a class leader for more than 50 years.
Mr and Mrs Eatwell celebrated their golden wedding three years ago.
The interment takes place at the Swindon Cemetery to-morrow (Saturday) at 2.30 p.m.
Radnor Street Cemetery 