Rectory Lane Cemetery, Berkhamsted

Michael James Elliott

28/10/1853 –15/04/1933

Much travelled Methodist missionary and minister

Relatives

Georgiana Elizabeth Barnett Elliott(681) — wife

• Melanie Hilton

Plot 681 Michael James Elliott (1853-1933)

Michael was born 28 October 1852 in Carlisle where his parents, usually based in Durham, had lived for a few years. He was the son, and middle of the nine children, of John and Elizabeth (née Athey) Elliott. In 1861 the family were living in Durham City and John was a clerk at a brush works.

Michael was to have a long and much-travelled life, although it began prosaically enough. In January 1871 he was admitted to the Castleside National School in Durham and the age of 18 was living at home with his parents in Durham and had become a clerk at an iron works.

At some point between then and 1877 he decided to become a minister in the Methodist Church. The York Herald of 28 July 1877 reporting on the Wesleyan Conference, listed Michael’s name amongst those accepted as candidates for the ministry and became a missionary.

The Consett Guardian of 26 September 1884 reported that “the Rev. Michael James Elliott, Wesleyan Missionary from Nupe West, Central Africa” had preached at a local chapel. (The Nupe people live in West Central Nigeria).

Michael was still an active missionary in West Africa in 1885 when The Falmouth and Penryn Weekly Times of April 4^th advertised two sermons to be preached by him, followed by an address to children and to a missionary meeting.

Michael married Georgina Elizabeth Barnett on January 24 1889 at the Wesleyan chapel, Pelsall, her home near Walsall. He was living and ministering on the Isles of Scilly at the time and had been since 1888. Their first child, Georgina Elizabeth, was born in 1890 on St Mary’s, Isles of Scilly.

In 1891 he and Georgina were living in West Kirby in Cheshire with their daughter and a live-in domestic servant.

The Methodist Times of  26 November 1891 reported on a meeting at the Methodist church in New Brighton, on Merseyside, where a Congolese minster was ordained, the Bishop being assisted by various ministers, including Michael.

The Newcastle Evening Chronicle in March 1892 quoted The Egyptian Gazette of 12 February reporting the arrival in Alexandria of The Rev. Michael J Elliott “of Consett who is taking up the acting Wesleyan chaplaincy of the forces in Alexandria. Mr Elliott has some experience of African life, but on the West Coast. He was an active missioner [sic] for about seven years in Lagos and up the Niger. His efforts will not be confined to the army and navy but [also] amongst the civilian population.” It does not say whether Michael’s family accompanied him.

The position appears to have been confirmed, as on November 8 1895 The Consett Guardian reported on a sermon preached by “The Rev. Michael James Elliott, chaplain of Her Majesty’s forces in Alexandria.”

At some point he became a Doctor of Divinity.

The family appears to have maintained their base in West Kirby as Ruth was born there in 1897 and John Barnett in 1899.

By 1911 they were living in Berkhamsted, at St Abbs, King’s Road. Michael was still working as a Wesleyan Methodist minister and living with them was their eldest daughter, his widowed sister and a domestic servant.

Georgiana died in 1912 and lies here.

The 1921 census shows Michael as retired and living with his unmarried daughter Ruth at 164, Chase Side, Southgate, but he returned to Berkhamsted and died at home at “Westhoe”, Ashlyn’s Road 15 April 1933, aged 80.

Georgiana Elizabeth Barnett Elliott(681)

07/06/1858 –15/03/1912

Wife of Methodist minister Michael Elliott

Relatives

Michael James Elliott — husband

• Melanie Hilton

Plot 681 Georgiana Elizabeth Barnett Elliott (1858-1912)

Georgiana was born 7 June 1858 in Pelsall, Staffordshire, the daughter of Edward Barnett and his wife Georgiana. Edward was an agent for an ale and porter merchant when Georgiana was born, but by 1871 was a “blue brick and tile manufacturer”. Georgiana had three younger sisters and a brother and the family could afford a live-in servant.

By the time Georgiana married in 1889 her father had renamed their home “Pelsall House” and was styling himself “Esquire”. (He died in 1896 and was described in the probate register as “coal master”. He left an estate of over £12,000.)

Georgiana married Michael James Elliott, a Wesleyan Methodist minister and missionary, on  24 January 1889 in the local Wesleyan chapel. He had been living and ministering on the Isles of Scilly since 1888 and she returned there with him. Their first child, Georgina Elizabeth, was born in 1890 on St Mary’s.

In 1891 they were living in West Kirby in Cheshire with their daughter and a live-in domestic servant. In March 1892 Michael was appointed Methodist chaplain to the forces in Alexandria, Egypt. It is not known whether Georgiana accompanied him out there, but he eventually returned to West Kirby where Ruth was born in 1897 and John Barnett in 1899.

By 1911 they were living in Berkhamsted, at St Abbs, King’s Road. Michael was still a Wesleyan Methodist minister and living with them was their eldest daughter, his widowed sister and a domestic servant.

Georgiana died 15 March 1912 aged 53 and was laid to rest here. Michael survived her until 1933 and was buried with her.