The obituary of Mary Jones Crowther gives some insight into the family life of the Crowther's.

 

(Click on thumbnail to see obituary card)

RECENT DEATHS

From Methodist Magazine of 1869

Died, on the 15th of March, 1869, Mrs. Crowther, in the ninety sixth year of her age, and the seventy-ninth of her connection with the Wesleyan- Methodist Society. By the departure of this truly venerable and most estimable "mother in Israel," one of the very few remaining links connecting the Founder of Methodism with the present generation has been removed. Mrs. Crowther was born in the Vale of Clwyd, in February 1774. Before she was a year old, her father, Mr Thomas Jones, died, and her mother having contracted a second marriage, she was removed to Bristol. Her uncle was rector of St Asaph, and all her family were connected with the Established Church; nor are the circumstances known which led to her first association with the Methodists in Bristol. But it is known that she had to endure opposition from her step-father, and could only enjoy the Methodist services by attending the five o'clock morning preaching in Broadmead chapel. After a time, her guardian removed her from under his roof, and took charge of her education, leaving her free to attend the services with regularity. Under the ministry of Mr. Richard Rodda her mind was greatly enlightened; she became clearly and soundly converted, and was received as a member of Mrs. Ewer's class. In September, 1790, she received her first ticket of membership from the Rev. John Wesley, a circumstance to which she never ceased to advert with the most pleasing satisfaction. In 1795 she was united in marriage to the Rev. Jonathan Crowther, who was then stationed in Bristol. Mr. Crowther had entered the ministry six years previously. He was a man of considerable reputation, and was elected President of the Conference in the year 1819. For thirty-two years Mrs. Crowther shared with her husband the duties and the cares, the joys and the sorrows ,of the itinerancy of those days, until in 1822 he was seized with paralysis, and after suffering for two years, passed to his reward, During their married life she was a true helpmate, ready with characteristic quickness and energy to assist her husband in every food work, while exemplary in all domestic duties, ever regarding her own family as her chief care and joy. Mrs. Crowther survived for forty-five years a widow; and of her it may be truly said that she was "a widow indeed". Left in charge of numerous family, she had severe trials to endure and heavy cares to sustain; but her buoyant energy of character, and her unfailing trust in God, lifted her above them all.

For a Long series of years, Mrs. Crowther resided in Manchester. She was appointed a class-leader at Irwell Street, about the year 1829, and the duties of this office she continued to discharge with singular affection and diligence until the was ninety years of age, when partial deafness and other infirmities incident to fourscore years and ten, compelled her to relinquish it. In this work she excelled; attending the meetings with undeviating punctuality, interceding for her members individually at the throne of grace, visiting them when sick or careless, earnestly studying their respective cases and characters, and dealing with all with a combined tenderness and fidelity that proved her remarkable fitness of the difficult work; and she was repaid by the love and ever-growing veneration of those entrusted to her are. Her own experience, though sometimes overcast by a deep sense of personal defects and unworthiness, was generally bright and joyous, corresponding to naturally lively and cheerful disposition. Until she was ninety years of age, Mrs. Crowther retained her bodily and mental faculties in remarkable perfection. At eighty-five she could walk several miles in a day at a brisk pace, wondering at the slowness and inertness of many of the young people.

Possessing natural intelligence and vivacity in a high degree, and having been accustomed to good society from infancy, her conversation was singularly interesting. She could not merely talk of former days, but felt a keen interest in everything that was going forward; as for example, the establishment a few years ago of the Italian monarchy, and the opening thus obtained for religious freedom and truth in Italy. (Author note, one of her nephews, Charles Makinson who lived in Manchester, was a close friend of the Italian Consul and attended his funeral, this may be part of the interest). A subject on which notwithstanding her great age, she would inquire and converse with ardent interest. Yet to her most trusted friends she would acknowledge, not without tears, that her inmost thoughts were of other days, that she pined for her companions who had long gone before; and that, trusting to be made ready through the gracious merit of her Saviour and Lord, she was inwardly longing to be at home and at rest. During the last three years of her life infirmities rapidly increased, her memory failed, and she was subject to much restlessness, the effect of a wiry constitution resisting natural decay. Residing with her daughter, Mrs. Henry Bowman, she was watched with the most tender affection. In the last fortnight of her life she was enabled to testify her unshaken confidence that "the wings of love and arms of faith" would bear her "conqueror through;" she entreated her family to pray that patience might not fail; and one of her last sayings was, 'I have more friends in heaven than on earth." She passed away gently, without pain or suffering. Her funeral sermon was preached Higher- Broughton Chapel, by an old friend, the Rev. W.H. Taylor, in which he thus summed up the her character: "a fine old English lady of a former generation, in whose character simplicity and kindness, motherly affection for the young, womanly sympathy for the suffering, were sweetly blended with strong sense, vigorous energy, and great decision, making her loved, trusted, respected, and in her later years venerated by all, a fine example of the Methodism of other days".

There is another side to the background of this lady, (my g-g-g grandmother) to which her husband Jonathan talks about in a letter to his son Jonathan in 1819. The son, Jonathan, would be about twenty years old now and his father is relating to him a family secret that only he is to know about something in his wife, Mary Jones Crowther's past, that he thinks he should know about. It is apparent he had heard so talk or something that prompted his father to write this letter to his son.

plp 31-5-37

Northwich March 20,1819

My dear Jonathan,

I was from home when your letter to your Mother arrived; and she did not seem willing to answer it herself. Perhaps you may sometime have noticed that we were always very reserved in speaking of your Mothers' relatives. But it may now be necessary to tell you something which you never knew before, and which I did not wish to communicate to any of you. Your Mother's Father ( Mr Thomas Jones) died before she was a year old. The farm which had been left him by his Brother, a Clergyman, then became the sole property of your Mother. It brought in when let and --- worth between forty and fifty pounds a year. This was more than 20 pounds a year more than she ever cost them. These 20 pounds in 20 years should be 400 pounds to which she had just claim. But she never got one farthing of this. Indeed, we knew them and their circumstances too well, either to expect or ask for anything.

I must now develop a more delicate business. Two or three years after we were married, I received a letter from Plymouth Dock from Mr. Evan Horner, saying that my wife had borrowed money privately in Plymouth and Plymouth Dock, five guineas from this person, five from another and three guineas from another; and this money was unpaid though it had been owing two or three years. Of this, I had not the least knowledge or suspicion. I was excessively grieved, not so much on the simple account of the money, as the disgrace it was calculated to entail upon us. I asked her what this money was for; and she said to help her Mother. I immediately paid this money and there was an end of it. But sometime after, I again had the painful information communicated to me by other persons, that monies had been borrowed in the same way at Worcester and also at Shrewsbury. I again asked what it had been for and received the same answer. These monies also I soon paid. But it is but right to say that as far as I know no money has ever been borrowed in that way since.

After we were married; I let Protherse(?) draw the first half years rent which was above 20 pounds, and I never had nor asked for a shilling of it. Yet he had no right to any of it. And the next year he had from me three guineas in gold, besides what was sent as mentioned above. But indeed we soon found that the more they received, the more they wanted. At last they laid claim to the whole income of the Estate and sent official letters to us and to the tenants to notify this. This was the principal reason that we determined to sell it. I knew I could not sell anything which was theirs. This point I resolved should be settled once and for all, and that I would have done with them at any rate. The fullest investigation demonstrated that they never had the least right to either the whole or any part of it. They had all along strived to injure my character. They went to a Clergyman in Bristol and represented me as one of the greatest rogues in creation. He went to Dr. Adam CLarke, then in Bristol, to express his astonishment at such a rascal being in the Connexion, and also his willingness to subscribe to a suit at Law to compel me to do justice. The Doctor was going to send me a trouncing letter, but happening to mention it to Mr. Griffith he gave him a little light which stagnated the Doctor.

"Ann," or Nancy (authors note-presume this to be Mary's Mother) as they used to call her has been for many years, one of the Whores in Bristol, and was a favorite with an elderly gentleman, who left her something when he died, but of which she was stripped by a legal process, her Mother's Brother being induced to be a witness against her for which he was rewarded with an office in the Diocese.

The old woman has a little farm of her own at Dickens Dale, some miles from the City of Hereford. But I fear that she has nothing that is good in her. She was formerly better, your Mother says, but that Protherse (author note- this must have been the second husband or boyfriend  of Mary's Mother), who was a worthless villain made her like himself. I never forbade your Mother to write to her, nor attempted to dissuade her from so doing. But yet I know, that she chiefly means when she talks about your Mothers writing to her, she means something more than a bare letter. It is very disagreeable to me to write to you such information but it is to yourself and for yourself only. I do not wish you ever to communicate anything of this information to any of your Sisters or Brother, except some occurrence or conversation should render it necessary. This may possibly be the case when I may be no longer able to write or speak in my own defence. You have known me many years; and whatever other defects you have seen in me, you never knew me give a false, exaggerated or distorted statement of any facts belonging either to myself or any other person. Exercise all possible secrecy especially touching your Mother & the borrowing of money. Whatever improprieties there might be in the business it nevertheless fully proves the main point I bring it to prove, namely, that she has not been hard and unfeeling towards her Mother. Well Jonathan, you and I must think about death and judgment, heaven and hell, and discharge our sojourn better compared than we are favoured with upon earth.

As to "Ann" or Nancy, I do not believe she is married now. I am constrained to say, from experience, that you must never believe anything they say, except you have other evidence to prove the truth of it.

Before you were of age, & long before she was capable of judging properly, they used means to make her sign away her right in favour of them & Protheroe's children. Another instance of their management was, an attempt to sell her to an ugly old fellow, whom I have seen. He was almost in dotage about her & promised them her Estate if they would make her have him. But, I must stop. Probably you have heard that Hannah was safely delivered of a fine Boy the 13th instant. So I become a grandfather & you an uncle. Glad you are at Mr. Cordeaux's. Write soon we are well & join me in love to you.

Your affectionate Father

Jonathan. Crowther

The probable parents of Mary are Thomas Jones and Anne Owen who were married on May 9,1772 in Montgomeryshire LLanbrynmair, Wales. Thomas died within a year after Mary was born and her mother later turned to prostitution in Bristol, as reported by Jonathan Crowther in a letter to his son in 1819. In Mary's obituary it is reported that she was born in Montgomeryshire and this is the only marriage of a Thomas Jones in that neighborhood reported at that time. This couple would then be my fourth great grandparents.

Hannah married Samuel Crompton, a Methodist minister, at Great Budworth Church on May 19th,1818. Samuel Crompton, mentioned in the unpublished autobiography of Jonathan Crowther (The Life and Travels of a Methodist Preacher), that he was a colleague of Jonathan Crowther. After Jonathan died in 1824, his son-in-law, Samuel Crompton wrote the last twenty pages of his father-in-laws autobiography. On page 90 of that book, Samuel wrote, "In 1817 he was appointed to the Northwich Circuit, where I had the honour and the happiness of being appointed his colleague; we had a peaceful year and some increase, it was on this Circuit that I became acquainted with Miss Crowther, and with the consent of her beloved father we were married at Budworth Church on May 19th,1818."

 At some time the family lived in Darlington, Durham. When you read about Jane Crowther you will note that in the census of 1861 that Jane Crowther Bowman had living in her house her mother, Mary Jones Crowther and her niece Hannah Crompton, age 26. The niece was listed as working as a governess and her place of birth listed as Darlington, Durham. Nothing more is known about Hannah, but I believe some insight into her character may be gained by reading some of the letters she wrote to her brother Jonathan. Jonathan was a young man apprenticed to a printer in London for a period of seven years from about 1814-1822.

Letter from sister to brother-----

plp 31-2-4

December 12,1814

My Dear Brother;

I assure you it gives me great pleasure to think you are comfortable in your situation. I trust it will ever be the case. We received you letter by Mr. Benson. I a very glad to hear that you had again begun to meet in class. I trust you will attend as punctual as you possibly can; it is a blessed means of grace.; I often think these are wells of salvation. Mr. Benson preached at Hilgate yesterday morning. I did not hear him Mother and the rest of the family did but I was left as housekeeper. But I heard him in the evening in the large room of the Stockport Sunday School. His text was "and I saw the dead small and great and the Book's were opened up. I believe there were hundreds that would not get in the eternal. ---------------- this evening some of the New School seem rather dissatisfied with it . We had no funeral sermon preached for Dr. Coke as yet The Hilgate and New School Pulpits are in mourning, but it is for Mr. Murger.

Mr. Trelk intended preaching one at Manchester yesterday but in consequence of an awful disaster which happened, it was postponed till yesterday. The disaster was this when the congregation was assembled just before service began there was an alarm given that the gallery was falling. This so much alarmed the people that in a very short time the doors were blocked with people lying one upon another and not able to walk. Two, I believe, were killed and five took to the hospital and many that were severely bruised. On Monday they found in the chapel about 60 pairs of shoes and as many hats and various other things.

Father was at one of the preparatory meetings last week and they resolved to postpone these yearly meetings until the first week in April when the days will be longer which make a material difference with the Coursby people. Mr. Bealy of Ratcliffe is likely to take the Chair.

The Park people are pretty quiet at present, suppose they will have a Charity Sermon soon. Mr. Bure has been mentioned they would have liked Mr. Benson to have done it but he refused. I don't know where I can get a report of the Stockport Bible Society, but will enquire this afternoon. Mr. Feamside and Father exchanged a Sunday about a fortnight ago. He said you had written and he intended answering it soon. Mr. Jackson says he will write to you very soon. Mr. Ague came here this morning on purpose to hear Mr. Benson, he desires the kind respect to you. Excuse me saying more at present as it is now nine and windy. I have told you all the news write very soon let me have a very long letter. Father, Mother and sisters join me in kind love and cousin Thomas, Mr. and Mrs.... Herohain and Mrs.... and Mr. Jackson send their kind respects to you my dear brother.

Your ever affectionate sister,

Hannah Crowther

PLP 31-2-6

Stockport June 2,1815

My dear Jonathan

It is with pleasure that I accept these "trifles as when of true love and affection"; and am glad that I have brother, who can remember he has a sister; whether she be at the distance of one mile, or one hundred and fifty. I very much prize the present you sent me and shall never look at them without sensations of esteem and love for the giver. But I am afraid you have learnt how to flatter since your arrival at London; you tell me "I am the loveliest of earthly sisters". If you allude to my person, I can only say that you have discovered what I never could myself; though possibly others may be of your opinion; perhaps, however your reference is to the mind: if so; I can only thank you for your compliment and say that I hope it will be my endeavour to embellish it with every needful ornament or that I may be qualified for some useful place in life, and thus render myself "lovely", in the best sense of the word. Before I dismiss the subject let me beseech you to take care how you act with regard to the acquaintance you make. Will you permit me to warn you against intimacy with those whose seriousness or integrity is at all disputable. Before you make a choice of a friend, prove him. Try his spirit, ascertain his temper, views, pursuits, learn his manner of life; behaviour connection, his religious creed, morals, etc. I have heard that London is a large place in which there are a great many bad people; so that there is great need of caution. There is another evil against which I would caution you; not that I think you are in particular danger from the quarter.; but because there is a possibility, for the most scrupulous and determined mind to be enslaved, if off guard.

I have been told there is a lamentable number of unfortunate people of my sex who go about taking captive those unhappy young men who are so weak as to be seduced by their vile insinuations. I could easily enlarge upon this topic, but I won't do it, least it should appear as if i was afraid of you, which I am not, in any particular degree; would therefore only say avoid the rock on which many mightier than you have split. By all that is dear to you and I; by your fathers gray hairs, which you would by a fall from virtue, bring with sorrow to the grave.; by all that sacred and venerable in your Mother; by the regard you have for me, and the respect you have for yourself; avoid the appearance of this bottomless gulf of misery and woe. But I perceive I am going to preach, finis, shall therefore be the word. You have more knowledge than I , but you know ladies must talk a little now and then.

Am looking over your note again; it's beautifully written, ( I wish I could write such a nice hand); I perceive you call me an "earthly sister". Do you imagine I shall ever be a heavenly one? If so, I fall in with you notion, for it is my decided opinion that we shall know one another in heaven; let this thought therefore be an additional enticement to diligence in the pursuit of every praiseworthy and pious acquisition that you may be prepared for that enjoyment of which none can partake but those who are pure in heart. Consider now, wouldn't it pain you at least a little if you were in heaven and I excluded; wouldn't you pity me were you to behold me a great way off; the other side the impassible gulf, and Oh! what anguish! what insufferable sorrow should I feel were I to perceive myself safe in the desired haven and You cast out to the" scene of woe"! Doleful Hades! where peace and hope never come! how would it afflict me; what sufferings should I endure but I cannot bear the idea or sustain the thought; it shall therefore be dismissed.

I am glad to find you are at Mr. Lemmon's; hope you will continue there. I suppose you are getting on rarely as a compositor; you are getting rich, no doubt; and if I should want a new book you know I have the liberty to draw upon you at that for five guineas; however, you may compose yourself, Mr. Composer; I am not in immediate want; you shall receive advice of the bill, before it is presented for acceptance.

Hope you are attentive to be home at night food time, so that the family are not put out of the way. I should think ten o'clock full late enough, excuse my freedom; you know a sister feels interested for you. I have many other things to say, but really time, patience, and paper all fail together. I am pretty well upon the whole, only a little unwell now and then like everyone else. Your brother and sisters desire their love to you. Your father is going to write soon.

your affectionate sister

Hannah Crowther

Letter from sister to brother--

plp 31-2-15

Nortwhich

July 3,1818

My very Dear Brother

We are all greatly surprised at your long silence and more especially as Father wrote some time since informing you of our uneasiness and to that letter we have received no answer. It is impossible for me to describe the variety of conjectures that have passed (?) our minds as to the cause of your long silence, sometimes attributing it to one cause sometimes to another, perhaps illness -- will pardon me if I ask you if it be want of affection. I can assure you Father and Mother are much pained as well as myself and they have threatened to write to some one else to know the cause if you don't write and that very soon.

Mary left home last Tuesday she is gone to learn Millinery and Drape Making with Miss Knowles who has begun business in Macelesfield and who I believe is doing very well. Miss Oliver was married last week. Mr. Pigg who was at our wedding is to be married next Thursday week to a lady of Buncorn whose Father died a Missionary in Geberald. Her name is McMullen. She is governess in Mr. Moretons family. Cousins will know her. I believe it is a very sudden thing. We are expecting him here tomorrow as he is going to preach our Charity Sermon on Sunday. This afternoon your new Brother is leaving home for Unworth (?) in the Bury Circuit where he is going to preach a sermon for the benefit of the Sunday School. He wished me to go with him but Mother is not willing.

About three weeks ago we spent a very agreeable week with my new relatives in Staffordshire. They gave me a hearty welcome and treated me with kindness of our own parents. They live within 3 miles of Congleton. Father and Mother live by themselves in a small house embosomed in woods, keep 2 cows which supply them cheese, butter and milk. There are only two Brothers which are both very kind and attentive, The one lives at a very delightful place about a half a mile from him his Fathers at an estate under Sir John Mainwaring. He has apparently married his own cousin and her Father has given a farm to him so that they are doing very well. I left out who is the oldest and by trade a Tailor but who has by his industry built a house which he now lives in and lately put out on interest four hundred Pounds. He has some thoughts of beginning his own drapery business. He always makes and repairs for Mr. C gratis which you know with many other additions will be an help. They seem to willing to do anything to make us comfortable, they have given me a stock of table linen and prepared cheese.

If you take the least notice of what I have said respecting Staffordshire I shall be grieved and should never hear the last of it from Mother.

Father, Mother, Mr. C, Brother, Sisters join me in sending love to yourself and Cousins I remain yours affectionately as ever, 

Hannah Crompton

These you know are helps I do beg you will not take the least notice of what I have said a I told you in the greatest confidence knowing you would be anxious to hear how I am going. I can assure you I am happy and comfortable.

You write return of Post without fail giving me every information

Jane married a man by the name of Henry Bowman and had at least three children, all boys. Her husband was a leather merchant. They lived in Salford and the father and one son were in the funeral procession of Charles Makinson in 1895, a son of Mary Jones Crowther Makinson, Jane's sister who married John Makinson. See Charles Makinson discussion.---

The census of 1861 shows the following:

1861 census-rg9/2909 e.d.12 folio 84.

Park Place- Gt. Clowes St. Broughton, Salford, Lancashire

The 1871 census shows the following:

1871 Census rg10/4014 ed 12 folio 97a

Henry's middle name is likely to be Crowther.

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