DEATH OF MRS. POSTLETHWAITE.

We regret to report the death of Mrs. Postlethwaite, the wife of Thos. Postlethwaite, farmer, of Hawcoat village, on Friday, after a long and painful illness from internal cancer. The deceased lady had suffered for upwards of three years, and so long ago as October, 1913, was an inmate of the Barrow Hospital, from which institution she was discharged as being incurable. Since that date she has borne her great anguish with exemplary patience and Christian fortitude. A week prior to her death pneumonia supervened, and the end came peacefully and painlessly at 4.10p.m. on the 5th. On the 2nd of the month she had attained her 66th birthday. Mrs. Postlethwaite belonged to Millom, and at the time of her marriage settled with her husband at the ancestral home of the Postlethwaite’s, which dated back to the year 1703. Few women have lived a more active or strenuous life up to the time of her affliction, and she was of a kind-hearted and generous nature, ever ready to assist those less favourably circumstanced than herself. The warmest expressions of sympathy were offered to the bereaved husband and family of five sons and three daughters, all of whom, except the youngest son who is in the United States, were present at the time of her death, and attended her funeral on the Tuesday, May 9th. There was a large gathering of relatives and friends in spite of the heavy downpour of rain. The bearers were the nephews and cousins of the deceased. The Rev. W. Berry, M.A., Vicar of St. Paul’s, officiated. Among the chief mourners were Mr. T. Postlethwaite (husband), Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Slater (son and daughter-in-law) (sic), Coun. and Mrs. C. Barben (son-in-law and daughter), Rev. and Mrs. R. V. Postlethwaite (son and daughter-in-law), Messrs. T. E. and J. I. Postlethwaite (sons), Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Grisedale (son-in-law and daughter), Mr. and Mrs. H. Thomas (son-in-law and daughter), Mrs. Hornby and Mrs. Jeffrey (Rossendale), sister and neice (sic), Mrs. M. Slater (sister-in-law), Mrs. Thompson (aunt), Mr. W. Shackley and Mrs. W. Shackley (Ravenglass, cousins), Mr. A. Slater, Mr. and Mrs. T. Woodburn (Pennington), Mr. J. Slater, Miss Slater and Mrs. Edmondson (Kirkby), Messrs. F. J. and T. A. Thompson (Foxfield), all cousins, Messrs. Robert, James and William Postlethwaite (nephews), Mr. Machell (Durham), Mrs. cook (Foxfield), Mr. Wm. Waiting (the deceased’s former master). In addition there were many farmers and neighbours there paying their last tribute of respect whose passing will leave a vacant place in the life of the village. There was a large collection of wreaths and bunches of flowers.

Barrow News

MR. T. POSTLETHWAITE

The death took place, on Tuesday, of Mr. Thomas Postlethwaite, farmer, who resided at 50, Hawcoat Village, Barrow. Deceased was well-known and much respected in the district, being of a genial and kindly nature. Until recently he had enjoyed robust health and was remarkably active for his age, being in his 81st year.

Barrow News

OLD FURNESS FARMER

THE LATE MR. T. POSTLETHWAITE,
OF HAWCOAT VILLAGE.

In the passing away of Mr. Thomas Postlethwaite, in his 81st year, Hawcoat village has lost its oldest native, one of its most interesting personalities, and the Furness district its oldest and one of its most capable farmers. Mr. Postlethwaite was born on December 9th, 1842, the family being traceable in the village for fully three centuries. When only 18 years of age, Mr. Postlethwaite, along with his only brother, who pre-deceased him by 13 years, started farming in a small way under the late Colonel Baldwin, of Dalton. Success attending his efforts, he gradually added to his holding until he became one of the most prominent farmers in the district, and was reputed as a producer of crops both as to bulk and quality. Having continued his farming exploits until his eightieth year, he had the distinction of being the oldest farmer on his own account in the Furness district. For other reasons, too, he held a prominent place in the esteem of a wide circle of friends in the agricultural world.

Mr Postlethwaite did much to encourage others in good ploughmanship by being one of the organisers of the Furness ploughing competition in the eighties. He was frequently called upon to act as judge of those competitions in this district, and in other parts of Lancashire and Westmorland. When he was in his 71st year and the Walney and District ploughing competition arranged a veteran’s class for men above 60 years of age, although he had not handled a plough for about ten years, he went into the contest and came out victor, carrying off the first prize and three out of four specials.

Mr. Postlethwaite was pre-deceased by his wife nearly seven years ago, and he is survived by his four sons and three daughters. His oldest son has been a Nonconformist minister in Blackburn for the past 21 years, and his youngest son is a joiner and builder near New York, U.S.A. Of his three daughters, the eldest is the wife of Coun. Barben, the second daughter, Mrs. J. C. Grisedale, lost her husband in the war, and the youngest daughter is the wife of Mr. H. Thomas, of Hawcoat.

The funeral took place yesterday at Barrow Cemetery, and was largely attended. The last rites were conducted by his son, the Rev. R. K. Postlethwaite, and the departed was borne to his last resting place by his nephews, Messrs. Robert, Joseph, James and William, sons of the late Robert Postlethwaite. The chief mourners were Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Slater (son and daughter-in-law) (sic), Coun. and Mrs. Barben (son-in-law and daughter), Rev. and Mrs. R. K. Postlethwaite (son and daughter-in-law), Thomas Edward and James Slater Postlethwaite (sons), Mrs. J. C. Grisedale and “Peggie” (daughter and grand-daughter), Mr. and Mrs. H. Thomas and “Jimmy” (son-in-law and daughter and grandson).

Barrow News