Obituary of Thomas B. Saving, died 1891

This obituary, provided by Geoff Kirk, was printed in the Buckingham Advertiser on 2 January 1892. The deceased's full name was Thomas Brum Saving (Brum deriving from his grandmother Elizabeth Brum).

Death of Mr. Thomas B. Saving of Winslow.

We regret to announce the death of Mr. Thomas B. Saving, of Winslow, which took place on Wednesday, 23rd December, at the age of 63 years. The portly form of Mr. Saving was familiar on many a Liberal platform, and he was ever a steadfast champion of civil and religious liberty. When other men from consideration of policy hesitated to denounce injustice and oppression, he boldly mounted the breach and proved himself the friend, adviser, and helper of the labouring poor. When the Labourer's Union struggle took place some years ago under Joseph Arch, he raised his voice on behalf of the agricultural labourers; he was also one of the first delegates from Winslow to the North Bucks Liberal Two Hundred. Deceased was a staunch Nonconformist of the old puritan type; many years since he tilted a lance with the Vicar of an adjoining parish against the Ritualistic innovations introduced into the parish Church there, and in the newspaper correspondence which followed he proved himself to be no weak opponent. He also took part in the struggle against church rates, and long before the passing of the Burial Act, he as a protest stood in the footpath adjoining the Church-yard and held a funeral service over a member of his own denomination. In the past days he was often heard pleading for the enfranchisement of the working man and the undenominational education of his children; for this purpose he strove right manfully through evil and through good report to establish a School Board at Winslow - for this he suffered much petty persecution, even his little holding of glebe land being taken from him. He was "a man mighty in the Scriptures," a local preacher among the Calvinistic Baptists, frequently occupying the pulpit of the little antique "Meeting-house" at Winslow, proving himself a worthy successor to Benjamin Keach, who 230 years before suffered heavy fines and imprisonment for daring to preach the gospel there. He was a most welcome preacher among the denomination for many miles around, being frequently called upon to speak in such popular places as London, Manchester, Northampton, &c., his labours being blessed with success. It may truly be said of him -

"He flattered none, he knew no hate nor fear,
But taught the will of God, and did it here."

The funeral took place on Monday afternoon last, the ceremony being held at the secluded Old Baptist Chapel, and conducted by Mr. A. White, of North-Marston. Signs of the respect in which deceased was held were manifest at nearly every place of business on the route between his house and the chapel, and in addition to his numerous sons and daughters and other relatives, quite a number of people assembled to pay a last tribute of respect to the memory of one of Winslow's sons, who, as a tradesman, frequently deserved the title of an honest man - among them being Mr. Wiggins (East Claydon), Mr. W. King (Nash), Mr. G. Whichello, Mr. Jas. East, Mr. John Elley, Mr. M. Fulks, Mr. A.G. Stevens, Mr. E.J. French, Mr. R. Coxill, Mr. A. Clear, Mr. W. Gibbs, Mr. G. Dunkley, &c.

Thomas Brum Saving was the son of John (d.1875) and Sarah (nee Jurden, d.1888) Saving. He had an Anglican baptism in 1828, and an Anglican marriage to Harriet Syrett (d.1892; see below) of Adstock in 1850. His children also had Anglican baptisms up to 1857:

Thomas was recorded as a labourer until 1855, then as a railway policeman. He was living in Buckingham Road [High Street] in 1851 and High Street [2 Vicarage Rd] in 1861. He was in Horn Street in 1871, then moved to 36 High Street where he was recorded as upholsterer in 1881 and furniture broker in 1891. He also farmed an allotment of 5½ acres of glebe land according to a letter he wrote to the Buckingham Advertiser (21 Jan 1888). This was apparently taken away from him after the School Board controversy of 1889 when he was a leader of the Liberal / nonconformist / pro-School Board campaign.

The 1891 Census shows that Elizabeth had established herself in Britannia Road, Fulham as a "juvenile outfitter", with Harriet, Julia, Annie and Sarah working as dressmakers as well as two Sirett cousins from Adstock. Elizabeth, Sarah and Esther were dressmakers at 79 Finborough Road, South Kensington in 1901 and Elizabeth and Sarah were still there in 1911. Elizabeth married John Gibbs at Kensington in 1915.

1892: Buckingham Advertiser, 5 Nov
  OBITUARY.- We much regret to record the sudden death of Mrs. Saving, furniture dealer, &c., widow of the late Mr. Thomas Saving, the well-known local Baptist preacher, whom she has only survived 10 months.  Mrs. Saving, although she had not been quite well for some little time, went to bed on Wednesday evening in apparently her usual health and spirits, after having attended to her business throughout the day.  During the night, however, her daughter hearing moans, went to see what was the matter, and found her mother dying.  She promptly fetched her brother, Mr. Chas. Saving, who lives a short distance away, and medical assistance was procured, but without avail.  Mrs. Saving was of a most cheerful disposition, and was highly respected by a large circle of friends, particularly among the strict Baptist denomination.

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