Frederick Augustus Powell – Draper and House Furnisher

Frederick Augustus Powell came from a large family of Primitive Methodists. Born in 1859 to Primitive Methodist Minister Edward Powell and his wife Martha, Frederick grew up first in Penzance and later in Llanguinder, Breconshire. By 1881 he was living with his uncle and aunt George and Mary Smith in Kennington, Lambeth where he describes himself as a Primitive Methodist Minister.

If Frederick served as a Primitive Methodist Minister he did so for a relatively short period. In 1882 he married Emma Ricks, a young draper’s assistant who lived in College Street, Swindon. By 1889 he had had a change of career and was living 25 Avenue Road where he worked as a commercial traveller. The 1891 census records that he and Emma had four children, Ethelwynne born in Devonport in about 1884, Garnet born in Teignmouth in about 1889 and Hilda 2 and Stanley 9 months old, both born in Swindon.

By 1901 they were living at 75 Hythe Road with two more children, Gladys and Morley, and Emma’s widowed mother Jemima Ricks. Frederick states that his occupation was Manager of a Music Shop and Secretary to a Property Company.

In 1911 the family were living at 8 The Mall. Frederick now worked as a Draper and House Furnisher. Emma states that they have been married 28 years and of their 7 children 4 were living and 3 had died.

Frederick Augustus Powell died aged 68 years at the Glenwood Nursing Home, Swindon on Tuesday November 6, 1928. He had survived four of his adult children. Edward Garnet died in 1900; Frederick Charles Stanley in 1901; Emma Ethelwynne in 1913 and Ernest Morley in 1914. The four siblings are buried together in Radnor Street Cemetery in grave plot C56.

Frederick was buried on November 8, in grave plot D262. Emma died in 1934 and was buried with her husband.

Death of Mr F.A. Powell – The death took place on Tuesday morning, at the Glenwood Nursing Home, of Mr. Frederick Augustus Powell, of 8, The Mall, at the age of 68 years. For some time Mr. Powell had not enjoyed the best of health, and on Thursday he underwent an operation. He was a native of Penzance, and came to Swindon when quite a youth. For a considerable time he was the musical instrument manager for Mr. L.L. Morse, of Regent Street. About 28 years ago he commenced business on his own account as a draper and furnisher in Commercial Road. He was a member of the Swindon Chamber of Commerce, and President of the Swindon branch of the Credit Traders’ Association. He leaves a widow and two daughters.

North Wilts Herald, Friday, November 9, 1928

Funeral of Mr F.A. Powell

The funeral of the late Mr F.A. Powell, who for many years carried on business as house furnishers, at 74 and 75 Commercial road, Swindon, took place at the Radnor street cemetery yesterday. Mr Powell, who was 68 years of age, only retired from business a short time ago. He is survived by his widow and two daughters. The service was conducted in the little chapel in the cemetery by the Rev. H. Baird Turner, Wesleyan Superintendent minister, who also officiated at the graveside.

The mourners were Miss Hilda Powell and Miss Gladys Powell (daughters), Mr A.S. Redwood (of Chippenham) Mr W.G. Selwood (who succeeds to the business) Mr H.G. Ford and Miss Woolford (representing the staff at Commercial road), Mrs W.H. Trowbridge, Messrs F. Winslow, L. Winslow, A.W. Hamilton, B. Adams, W.S. Wiltshire and H. Bristow. There were many beautiful wreaths sent, including one from the Swindon Chamber of Committee, [Commerce], of which deceased had been a member for many years.

North Wilts Herald, Friday, November 9, 1928.

Sadly, the two Powell family graves are unmarked.

Frederick and Emma Powell are buried in this area.

The four Powell siblings are buried in this area.

George Cripps – Primitive Methodist Minister

George Cripps was born on May 2, 1839 in Badbury and baptised on May 26 at Chiseldon Parish church. He was the son of James and Sarah Cripps and when aged just 15 he dedicated himself to a life of Christian service. Within months of his conversion he was preaching on the local circuit and embarked upon a long career as a travelling preacher. He began his ministry in Witney in 1861 travelling the country and serving in various circuits including those at Andover, Thetford and Ipswich before returning to Swindon in 1897.

In 1866 he married Ursula Ellen Bayman and the couple had six children, two of whom had sadly died before 1911. Their son Raymond George Cripps married Beatrice Maud Raggett, a member of another prominent local Primitive Methodist family, and went on to become Mayor of Swindon in 1938-39.

George retired to Swindon where he worshipped at the Prospect Place Primitive Methodist Chapel. In 1901 he and Ursula were living at 134 Goddard Avenue. George died at his home on August 25, 1920 and was buried in grave plot D300 which he shares with Ursula who died in 1918.

A lengthy obituary written by Joseph Burton was published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine in 1920 – extracts can be read below:

After a period of further preparation, involving much thought and prayer, he commenced his life’s work as a minister of the glorious gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in 1861. The Witney Circuit pledged him, and he laboured with considerable success and acceptance on the Sturminster Newton, Faringdon, Andover, Newbury, Basingstoke, Thetford, King’s Lynn, Wangford, Ipswich, Tunbridge Wells and Guildford Circuits.

There were many preaching places on most of these circuits, covering a wide area, and sometimes necessitating a walk of fifteen or sixteen miles each way. Besides the ordinary week-night work, our brother frequently preached three and four times on the Sabbath. He built five chapels and reduced debts on others. It seemed to be his lot to have to grapple with such cases, but with indomitable perseverance and tact, he generally succeeded. At Ipswich, where I first formed his acquaintance, he waited upon a gentleman with the intention of getting financial help, but was unable to see him. He called again—twenty times—before he was granted an interview. The gentleman said: ‘‘I believe you have been before.” Our brother replied that he had called twenty times, and should call again unless he got what he desired. The gentleman bade him sit down, and retired to another room. Presently he brought a cheque for £20—a pound per visit—as a reward for his pertinacity, and, told him whenever he needed help, he could call again.

The same zeal was in evidence for winning souls. Well do I remember as a probationer, the Saturday evening open-air services, with sometimes opposition, sometimes police interference; but if we were moved from one place it was to begin again elsewhere: the singing and exhortations went on, and, we had reason to believe, were made a blessing to souls.

He got the Free Church ministers to join him in a mission in connection with our Rope Walk Church, and as they proceeded down the Rope Walk, headed by a brass band, it was the signal for a tremendous opposition that required the whole of the town’s police, except two, to quell. But not before much damage was done. They smashed the windows of the chapel, brick-ends falling on to the platform, and those who had ventured inside the chapel had to be got out by the back door and through the caretaker’s house. Happily no one was seriously hurt. The windows were boarded up, and the mission proceeded for some weeks, leading ministers and friends of other Churches taking part. The riot was due to a misapprehension that the Salvation Army were beginning their mission in the town, but it turned out for great good, many souls professing conversion.

It was while on the Tunbridge Wells Circuit, under the strain of heavy chapel liabilities, and special services—including mid-day services to men during their dinner hour—that his health broke down. His condition was so serious that his medical adviser ordered a sea voyage to New Zealand on a sailing vessel. In a crisis of this kind, one sometimes discovers that: some of God’s servants have been watching the struggle. It was so in his case. One friend secured his passage, others sent useful presents for his comfort on his voyage, and almost weekly, during an absence of eleven months, never failed to minister to his wife and family. On his return it was found there was very little improvement in his health. The Conference of 1887 stationed him at Guildford, from whence he superannuated in 1892, having travelled thirty-one years. He settled down in Swindon. Though broken in health and a great sufferer, he served nine years on the Swindon Board of Guardians, and preached in nearly all the, Free Churches in the town. His wife, never strong in health, but a great helpmate on his circuits, ideal in the home, hospitable and very kind, predeceased him in 1918. Most of the time after her death he was obliged to remain indoors, and latterly was confined to his room suffering from a complication of diseases—uncomplaining, bright, cheerful and hopeful in spirit, and heartily responsive to prayer and spiritual conversation.

Image published courtesy of My Primitive Methodists

Rev George Hunter – Primitive Methodist Minister

George Hunter was born in 1834 in South Cave, Yorkshire. At just 9 years of age he was working as an agricultural labourer to help support his widowed mother. At the age of 17 he converted to Primitive Methodism and spent the rest of his long life in God’s service.

George was described as ‘a splendid visitor, and a true friend and practical helper in cases of distress’ who ‘in the pulpit was earnest, simple, practical and good. He aimed not at display. He preached not to please the ear and tickle the fancy, but to touch the heart and reach the soul. His sole ambition was to save souls.’

He married Mary Thompson and the couple had two daughters, Rosanna born 1868 and Edith Mary born 1870.

In his retirement he made his home in Swindon with his younger daughter Edith where he continued to assist with the work of the Primitive Methodist church. He lived at 75 Morris Street, Rodbourne, where he died in 1916. A long obituary was published in the North Wilts Herald of which the following is an extract.

Death of the Rev G. Hunter

55 Years in the Primitive Methodist Ministry

The Rev. George Hunter, who was for 55 years a Primitive Methodist minister, died at his home, 75 Morris Street, Swindon, on Sunday. He was born in Yorkshire in 1834 and was 82 years of age. The greater part of his ministry was spent in the South of England, and when he retired from active service five years ago he came to reside at Swindon, and for some time continued to assist in Church work.

The funeral took place on Wednesday afternoon. The first portion of the service was conducted at the Primitive Methodist Church, Regent Street, by the Rev. S.A. Barron, who also committed the body to the earth at the Cemetery.

The Funeral Address was delivered by his old friend the Rev. J.H. Cotton …

As a pastor George Hunter had few equals. He knew his people, sympathised with them in their sorrows, advised them in their difficulties, comforted them in their sickness, and encouraged them as they drew near the eve of the great change. In the sick room nothing was more striking than his beautiful sympathy and tender handling of stricken souls. He could not refuse to help in a case of need, and often had made the widow’s heart dance with joy. Twenty years ago he heard friends talking about Mr Hunter’s kindness to the aged poor. In many circuits he would long be held in affectionate remembrance, though the majority of those who benefited from his ministry preceded him into the Great Beyond.

The great sorrow of Mr Hunter’s life was the passing away of the devoted wife who for over 35 years had lovingly shared his ministry. That was in 1900, during his second term at Stewkley. His elder daughter had to look after an aged aunt at Exeter; but the younger, since her mother’s death, had devoted herself to her father beyond all praise. During the coming years it would give to her deep and abiding satisfaction to know that she gave herself so lovingly to bring joy and comfort into her father’s life during his declining years. To these ladies in their intense bereavement and sorrow their sympathy went that day.

Advancing years ripened and mellowed Mr Hunter’s character, and considerably broadened his views. He was not sure that he was a man of the eventide after all. He often felt while in contact with him that he was a man of the morning. He passed away, after a brief illness, in the full confidence that death would be to him the gateway to a deeper, richer, and fuller life. To him, indeed, there was no death.

The Rev. W.L. Taylor said he knew Mr Hunter for a very long time. He often met him in the Brinkworth District and other circuits in which he laboured. He had that day seen some documents relating to his coming into this part of the country in 1861; and the people who had known Mr Hunter were thankful to the Hull Conference that day for having sent him. His work was a great success in the agricultural districts and his labours were equally successful in the industrial circuit in South Wales in which he spent a short period of his ministry. He asked the daughters of Mr Hunter to accept, in the sorrow which had overtaken them, the sympathy of the circuit he represented.

Extracts from the North Wilts Herald, Friday, June 16, 1916.

Rev George Hunter died aged 82 years at his home, 75 Morris Street. His funeral took place on June 14, 1916 when he was buried in grave plot C2016.

You can read more about the Rev Hunter and his family here:-

Charles Edward Hall of 75 Morris Street

Stephen and Augusta Nicholas

Sometimes I find articles in the local newspaper which provide so much information that there is really no need to do any further research.

The North Wilts Herald published the story of their life together when Stephen and Augusta Nicholas celebrated their Diamond Wedding Anniversary in 1931. Just four months later they published an account of Stephen’s funeral.

Married 60 years

Diamond Wedding of Mr and Mrs S. Nicholas, of Swindon

Mr and Mrs Stephen Nicholas of 106 Princes street, Swindon, celebrated their diamond wedding on Saturday. Mr Nicholas is 83 years of age and his wife 79.

Both are in fairly good health, and they enjoyed a little party of relatives who came to wish them good luck. Mr Nicholas was particularly pleased with a wedding cake which his children had made for him.

Both Mr and Mrs Nicholas were born at Nunnery, near Frome, in Somerset, and they were married at the Parish Church on 10 October, 1871. Mrs Nicholas was formerly Miss Augusta Hillier.

In those days her husband worked in the flour mills, and at the time of his marriage his wages were only 12s a week. A little more than two years after the wedding they moved to Wales, where Mr Nicholas worked for the Gloucester Wagon Repairing Company. The next move was to Bristol, and in August, 1876, he and his wife came to Swindon, where he entered the GWR Works. Here he remained for 43 years, retiring in 1919 at the age of 71 years.

Mr and Mrs Nicholas had six children, all of them born in Swindon, but only three are now alive. These are Miss Nicholas, who lives with her father and mother, Mrs J. Ruddle and Mr Bertie Charles Nicholas, who worked in the GWR factory. There are five grand-children – the children of Mrs Ruddle.

Mr Nicholas was a wood wagon builder by trade, and for 30 years he was a chargeman in the 21 Wagon Shop. His foreman was Mr Joseph Wilkinson, and his under foreman, Mr John Money, is now 86 years of age and lives close to him in Gordon Road.

Ever since they came to Swindon Mr and Mrs Nicholas have been members of the Regent street Primitive Church, which they joined when the Rev. Thomas Pinnock was the minister. Mr Nicholas is still a trustee of the church, and both he and his wife have been Sunday School teachers.

Mr and Mrs Nicholas have been the recipients of numerous presents from members of the Regent Street Primitive Methodist Church.

North Wilts Herald, Friday, October 16, 1931.

Mr S. Nicholas

Fine Tributes to a Swindon Methodist

The funeral of Mr Stephen Nicholas, of 106, Princes street, Swindon, took place on Wednesday afternoon, and was largely attended by relatives and friends and representatives of religious and other bodies with which he was associated.

Mr Nicholas, who had reached the age of 84, recently celebrated his golden [diamond] wedding. His wife has been ill for some time. They were both natives of Nunney, near Frome, Somerset. They came to Swindon in 1876, and Mr Nicholas was employed in the GWR Works for 43 years, retiring in 1919. He was a chargeman in the Wagon Shop for 30 years.

Ever since they came to Swindon, Mr and Mrs Nicholas have been members of the Regent Street Primitive Methodist Church and both were Sunday School teachers.

The first portion of the burial service was conducted at the Regent Street Church, the officiating ministers being the Revs. J. Lindsay, T. Sutcliffe and E.P. Sellars.

The interment took place in the Radnor street cemetery. The family mourners were Mr and Mrs B. Nicholas ( son and daughter in law), Mrs J. Ruddle (daughter), and Mr Ruddle, Mr L. Ruddle (grandson), Miss G. Ruddle (grand daughter), Mr J. Nicholas (brother) and Mrs Cooper.

Representatives were present from the GWR Works, from the Primitive Methodist Church, the sons of Temperance Friendly Society, and other bodies with which Mr Nicholas was associated. Amongst these were Messrs. T. Greenwood, S. Stone, A. Painter, Llewellyn, Wheeler, S. Hanks, G. Harvey, H.J. Franklin, F. Smith, F. Hoare, S. Hardy, Beasant, F. W. Vincent, W.T. Harding, G. Shell, W. King and F.W. Ludlow.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by Mr A.E. Smith, of Gordon Road.

North Wilts Herald, Friday, February 5, 1932.

Silas Fry – Primitive Methodist

Silas Fry and his wife Lydia were a pretty dynamic couple. When Silas died in 1925 the North Wilts Herald published a lengthy obituary detailing his many accomplishments, which included his work as a member of Swindon Town Council, his membership of the old Gorse Hill Cricket Club and his lifelong membership of the Primitive Methodist Church.

Primitive Methodist Chapel, Cricklade Road, Gorse Hill

Silas was born in 1874, the son of Oliver Fry, newsagent/grocer and Primitive Methodist preacher, and his first wife Esther Ayliffe. He grew up in Gorse Hill and never moved away, living with his wife Lydia at first 110 Chapel Street and then 71 Cricklade Road where he died on June 14, 1925.

Death of a Swindon Councillor

Mr Silas Fry’s Many Activities

The Funeral

The death occurred on Sunday of Mr Silas Fry, a member of the Swindon Town Council and a well known figure in many departments of public life in the town.

A few months ago Mr Fry, who was 51 years of age, underwent a serious operation at a Swindon nursing home, and he made such good progress afterwards that strong hopes were entertained that he would make a complete recovery, but he suffered a relapse.

A son of Mr Oliver Fry, who was prominently identified with local government affairs, deceased was at one time a member of the Swindon and Highworth Board of Guardians, and on his retirement from that body he was succeeded by his wife, who is still an active and useful member. In November 1922, Mr Fry was elected to the Town Council as one of the representatives of North Ward, and in that capacity he rendered much useful public service. He served on the Watch and Pleasure Grounds Committee, being this year’s vice chairman, and other committees of which he was a member were the Sewage and Allotments, Works and Streets, General Purposes and Emergency, and the Swindon and District Hospital Board.

Deceased had been organist at the Gorse Hill Primitive Methodist Church since he was nine years of age, and when the services were conducted in the old chapel, now used as the Salvation Army Barracks. He was also Superintendent of the Sunday School, and president of the local Christian Endeavour. For 20 years Mr Fry was choirmaster, succeeding the late Mr J.J. Henly. He was also one of the pioneers of the old Gorse Hill Perseverance Cricket Club, which afterwards became the Gorse Hill Primitive Methodist. He was a keen cricketer, and played until four years ago.

Extracts from the North Wilts Herald, Friday, June 19, 1925.

Richard James Leighfield – Master Builder

This is another magnificent pink granite memorial full of funerary iconography. The fluted pillars or columns at the top symbolise the door to heaven and the passageway to eternity. The letter L is displayed prominently passing through this entrance. The thorny acanthus leaves symbolise the prickly path of earthly life to death and eventual eternal life.

This is the last resting place of the Leighfield family. Firstly, of Elizabeth, ‘the devoted wife of Richard James Leighfield of Witney Street, Swindon who died after a long and painful illness after which she sweetly fell asleep in Jesus on February 2, 1910 aged 49 years.’ Elizabeth was buried with the couple’s second son David who had died aged just 3 weeks old in 1892.

The inscription on this memorial is the first verse of a hymn called The Christian’s Good Night – lyrics by Sarah Doudney and music by Ira D. Sankey.

Sleep on beloved sleep and take thy rest,

Lay down thy head upon thy Saviour’s breast.

We love thee well but Jesus loves thee best.

Good night, good night, good night.

Richard was born in Wootton Bassett in 1859 the son of postman James Leighfield and his wife Ann. At the age of 12 Richard was already working as a mason’s labourer, later becoming a bricklayer and by 1891 he was a Master Builder.

In 1887 he married Elizabeth Hunt and at the time of the 1891 census they were living at 83 Clifton Street with their two year old son James.

Richard built houses on Clifton Street, Whitney Street* and Ponting Street. At the turn of the century, encouraged by the growth of New Swindon, he purchased a parcel of land on the east side of Whitney Street on which he built a house known as 1 Whitney Street. Behind the house he developed office accommodation, yard, stables and a workshop from which he conducted his business. On the rest of the land he built 6 cottages which he let, principally to members of his staff. Between 1901-1916 the family firm built 39 houses at St Mary’s Grove.

Following Elizabeth’s death, Richard married Clara Williams in 1913. The couple married at the Primitive Methodist Chapel in Regent Street where they were both members. Clara was a descendant of John and Mary Pike who opened their home on Eastcott Hill for meetings during the early days of Primitive Methodism in Swindon.

The Leighfield family firm continued to be busy during the 1920s and 30s when among their projects they built the Primitive Methodist Church at The Circle, Pinehurst; Commonweal School, The Mall, Old Town; the Co-op on Groundwell Road and the Swindon Corporation Electricity Dept showrooms at Regent Circus.

Richard died at his home 109 Bath Road in 1948 aged 89. His funeral took place on April 22 when he was buried in grave plot E8440 with his first wife and son. His second wife Clara died in 1964 and was buried in the family plot.

The Leighfield business continues today at the Coped Hall Business Park in Royal Wootton Bassett.

*The spelling of Whitney/Witney Street varies.

George Eatwell – Primitive Methodist

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.

Miss Beatrice Wall

The shop in Clifton Street has had many different owners and many different shop fronts. In 1905 when Sarah Jane Wall was the Grocer and Subpostmistress it looked like this.

Swindon streets built in the 19th century grew piecemeal with each terrace built by a different builder. In 1883 E. Harvey was busy constructing eleven houses and a cottage in Clifton Street. James Hinton was also busy in this area of Swindon and in 1884 father and son firm, C. & G. Pettifer built a house and shop in Clifton Street. Could this be the premises the Wall family were living in at the time of the 1891 census?

Across the road once stood the Clifton Street Primitive Methodist Chapel. The original chapel was built in 1882 on land given by James Hinton. A much larger chapel was built in front of this in 1900, which can be seen in this photo. The chapel was still open in 1970 but was demolished soon after. Next to this are the Clifton Street gates to the cemetery.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is clifton-street.jpg

Published courtesy of Local Studies, Swindon Central Library.

John Wall, Grocer and Dairyman moved to Swindon to run the General Shop in Clifton Street with his wife Sarah Jane and four of their six children. He died in 1899 and was buried in the cemetery just across the road from his shop. Sarah Jane carried on running the business with her two sons George and Charles and her daughter Beatrice.

Beatrice died in 1914 and was buried with her father in grave plot E8596. Sarah Jane died in 1935 and was buried with John and Beatrice.

The late Miss Wall – Residents in that district will miss the familiar figure of Miss Wall, of the Clifton Street Post Office, who has passed away after a long and painful illness.

The deceased lady was the daughter of the late Mr John Wall, who came to Swindon 30 years ago, and for a very considerable period she has been prominently identified with the business connected with the oldest sub-office in the town.

The funeral took place on Monday, the service at St. Saviour’s Church and the last rites at the Cemetery being conducted by the Rev. H.C. Brocklehurst.

A large number of friends assembled, and the principal mourners were: Mr and Mrs Loxwell Wall (Exmouth), Mr and Mrs Frank Wall (Swindon), Mr and Mrs Charles Wall (Swindon), Mr and Mrs Arthur Wall (London), Mr George Wall (Swindon), Mr W. Davis (Stonehouse), Mr V. Broadsmith (Cirencester), Miss E.J. Wall (Exmouth), Miss H.G. Wall (Swindon), Nurse Butcher and Mr. E. Higgins (Swindon).

Mrs Wall and family are very grateful for the loving sympathy extended during Miss Wall’s long and painful illness, and the kindness of neighbours is especially recognised.

Extracts from the North Wilts Herald, Friday, February 27, 1914.

The Clifton Street shop in 2023

Winifred Edith Morse – founder of the Women’s Missionary Federation, Swindon branch

A comprehensive list of burial dos and don’t in Radnor Street Cemetery was published when the new burial ground opened in August 1881. The cost of a common grave was 5s (25p) but sadly, many working class families could not afford even this and there are numerous public graves in the cemetery where more than one unrelated persons are buried together. The cost rose considerably for a multi occupancy plot and a 9ft (2.7 metres) deep vault cost £4.4s (£4.20) while a brick or boarded grave for a single burial 9ft (2.7 metres) deep cost £1.1s (1.05). It is likely that the graves in the chapel area are vaults or brick lined, which would increase the cost.

The Morse family grave is surmounted by a magnificent black, granite monument and occupies two plots, 27A and 28A in Section D.

This is the last resting place of Levi Lapper Morse and as the inscription explains he was a Justice of the Peace and served as an Alderman and the second Mayor of Swindon. He was MP for South Wiltshire for six years. He was an active and energetic member of the Primitive Methodists, serving as Circuit Steward of the Swindon II circuit from its formation until his death. He was elected chair of the Brinkworth District Meeting and Vice President of Conference in 1896 and also served as District Missionary Treasurer for about nine years. He was a lay preacher, Sunday school teacher and an accomplished organist. Levi played a prominent role in both the political, commercial and religious life of Swindon and there is plenty of information available about him, but what about his wife?

Winifred Elizabeth Humphries was born on December 10, 1848 the eldest child of Farmer Isaac Humphries and his wife Elizabeth. She grew up at Cockroost Farm, Broad Hinton where her father employed five men and two boys and a 17 year old governess to teach his growing family.

Charles Morse established a family retail business in Stratton St Margaret but his son Levi went on to accomplish far greater things. Levi opened one of Swindon’s first departmental stores, which until the 1960s stood on the present site of W H Smith’s in Regent Street, Swindon.

Levi and Winifred married in 1875 and set up home above the shop in Stratton Street, Stratton St. Margaret where he described himself as a grocer and draper, employing two men, two females and two boys. Winifred’s first child Ella Elizabeth was born in 1876 with seven more to follow. Levi states on the census returns of 1911 that he and Winifred had been married 35 years and that they have eight children, six of whom are still living while two have died.

Winifred supported her husband throughout his political career, but it was within the Primitive Methodist Church that she did most of her work. Winifred had been an active member of the Primitive Methodist Church since before her marriage and as a young girl played the organ at chapel services, often walking several miles from her home on a Sunday morning. The first Primitive Methodist Church in Regent Street was built in 1849. Further structural changes saw the church become the largest of the three Primitive Methodist Churches that formed the Swindon Circuit in 1877. It was also the focal point for the missionary activities of the Primitive Methodists in Swindon in the 1880s and where Winifred was the founder of the Women’s Missionary Federation Swindon branch in 1909.

The Morse family moved into The Croft in 1896, an elegant property that stood in four acres of land with paddocks, flower beds and ornamental trees, a tennis lawn and a fountain. William Ewart Morse, the couple’s son, remained in residence until his death in 1952 after which the house fell into disrepair and was eventually demolished. Hesketh Crescent built in 1957 now stands on the site.

Winifred died on 17 July 1919 following a long illness. Her funeral took place at the Regent Street Primitive Methodist Church with which she had so long been associated. The service was conducted by Rev F.W. Harper assisted by Rev J. Dobson, an old family friend. The Rev Dobson spoke in his address of Winifred’s good works and the loss which the church had sustained by her death.

Tag: Primitive Methodism