In Loving Memory of
THE REV. JAMES BARTON BELL,
WHO DIED 7TH MAY 1912, AGED 65 YEARS.
FOR 35 YEARS CONGREGATIONAL MINISTER AT ULVERSTON
“FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH”
ALSO OF MAGGIE, WIFE OF THE ABOVE,
WHO DIED JUNE 4TH 1913.

REV. J. BARTON BELL

DEATH AFTER FOUR MONTHS RETIREMENT

It is with the deepest sympathy that we record the death of the Rev. J. Barton Bell, retired Congregational minister, which occurred at his residence, Glenfield, Dalton, on Tuesday, somewhat unexpectedly. Though the deceased gentleman, who was 65 years of age, had been ailing for some time, he had been able to get about; in fact he journeyed to Barrow on Sunday morning, and preached at the Abbey-road Congregational Church. He was also to have occupied the pulpit in the evening, but was not sufficiently well to do so. On the previous Thursday he had contracted a chill, which he was not able to throw off.

On Monday he became seriously ill, and despite devoted nursing, and medical treatment, he passed away at 9.45 a.m. this (i.e. Tuesday) morning. A pathetic feature of the occurrence is that the rev. gentleman only retired from active ministerial life four months ago. It was on December 31st last that he preached his farewell sermon at the Ulverston Congregational Church, after a strenuous and faithful ministerial career covering 42 years, 35 of which were spent in the service of the Congregational Church, Soutergate, Ulverston. He leaves a widow, one son, and two daughters, to mourn his loss.

By the death of Rev J. Barton Bell the district has sustained a distinct loss, for in addition to his devoted and fruitful labours as a minister of religion, the deceased gentleman has been a great power in other spheres for the promotion of the well-being of the people as a whole. Notable amongst his numerous activities was the prominence and usefulness of his lengthy connection with the work of education. That work covered a period of 35 years, and it was only on April 1st, that at a representative meeting of local authorities at Ulverston Town Hall, the rev. gentleman was the recipient of a handsome gold watch, on the case of which was the following tribute: Presented to the Rev. Jas. Barton Bell by members of the late School Board, the education committees, and teachers as a mark of appreciation of his 35 years valued services in the cause of education.

There follows a long list of his involvement in various educational bodies around Ulverston, and a similarly lengthy description of the several long-serving ministers of the Congregational Church in Ulverston. It then continues:

Mr. Bell was one of the founders of the Mutual Improvement Society, of which he filled the presidency ever since its formation 33 years ago. For 34 years he discharged the secretarial duties for the Furness Auxiliary of the British and Foreign Bible Society; and has acted in a similar capacity for the Religious Tract Society for a period of twelve years. He has been closely identified with the Ulverston Temperance Society, and for many years was chairman of the committee. In connection with the Furness and District Congregational Union the reverend gentleman was president, and for 21 years he served as editor of the Congregational Union Magazine. He was a past president of the Lancaster and Westmorland Federation of Free Churches, and also of the Furness and Cartmel Free Church Council.

The deceased gentleman was a prominent member of the Executive Council of the Liberal Association and took an active part in every Parliamentary election since North Lonsdale was formed as a separate constituency in 1885. The flags were hoisted at half-mast at the Town Hall, Victoria Grammar School, and Liberal Club out of respect for the memory of the deceased.

SUDDEN DEATH OF DALTON LADY

The death occurred with painful suddenness on Wednesday night of Mrs. Bell, an old lady who resided in Chapel-street, Dalton. She had been ailing for several months, but was apparently fairly well that day. About 10 o’clock, however, her daughter, Miss Fanny Bell, heard the sound of a fall in her mother’s bedroom and on going to ascertain the cause found Mrs. Bell in a dying condition. Medical assistance was promptly summoned, but Mrs. Bell expired shortly afterwards. The deceased lady was the widow of the Rev. Barton Bell, formerly pastor of the Congregational Church, Ulverston, but who retired from the ministry about twelve months ago and came to reside in Dalton, but died within a week or two of his arrival. The news of Mrs. Bell’s sudden demise came as a shock to the neighbourhood, as she was well known, and only the previous day he had been seen sitting at the window of her house, and apparently interested in a furniture sale taking place in the vicinity.