English Harbour Obituaries in the Wesleyan Methodist Magazine

Mrs. Joanna Ivamy's Obituary

The following obituary appeared in the Wesleyan Methodist Magazine for March 1828, on page 209. It was written by John Corlett, a Methodist Missionary who had been stationed at Trinity, Trinity Bay, Newfoundland. The year in which Joanna died is not stated; presumably it was in 1827.

I made this transcription was made on 21 December 1993. The original, from which this copy was transcribed, is at the United Church Archives in Toronto, where it has a call number of "Foreign Period - BX 8201 - M2 - 1828".

Died, April 29th, Mrs. Joanna Ivamy, wife of Mr. James Ivamy, of English-Harbour, Trinity-Bay, Newfoundland. She was one of the first persons at English-Harbour that found the word of God, as preached by our Missionaries, "quick and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword." Her aged husband and she jointly consented, that if a Society should be formed, the Class should meet in their house, and that they would do every thing in their power to facilitate the labour of the Missionary. A few, who had a desire to flee from the wrath to come, united themselves together; among whom was Mr. James Ivamy, and his good wife, Joanna. Mr. Ivamy took the charge of the Society in the Preacher's absence: in this work he has been useful, and continues so to this day. It was, however, several years after Mrs. Ivamy joined the Society, before she obtained the witness of God's Spirit, that she was his child. Though advanced in years before ever she heard the doctrines of genuine Christianity preached, she saw it to be her calling and privilege to be born again, and made a child of God by adoption. She waited upon God in the use of all the public and private means of grace, constantly saying like Jacob, "I will not let thee go, unless thou bless me." God heard her prayer, and answered to her soul with such force and plenitude of his Spirit, that she never for one moment, after obtaining the witness of the Spirit, doubted of her acceptance. She was kept in peace through Jesus's love, and supported by his smile. When she first obtained a consciousness of her interest in Christ, she was at home with her little grandchildren; and all the rest of the family were gone to a Prayer- meeting. She felt a strong inclination to pray, and told the children to kneel down; and while praying, God spoke peace and pardon to her soul. Full of joy through believing, she ran to the place where prayer was wont to be made, and calling together her husband, children, and grandchildren, told them how the Lord had revealed himself to her, and had justified her through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. From this time forth she was eminently a Christian. The Missionaries had always found her to be a sincere friend; but after she felt the comfort of the Holy Ghost, she was emphatically "a mother in Israel." Frequently I have seen her come down to the water-side, and wait the arrival of the boat that had a Missionary in it. And when the Missionary has been leaving, she seldom said "Farewell," but with a faltering voice, and not until she had accompanied him to the sea-side. If it be possible for a person to go to an extreme in giving to the poor, I believe she did; for she gave all she could, and, in some cases, more than she could, well spare. If at any time it was said to her, "You ought not to give so much away;" she would always answer, "I shall never live to want." This was very true; and will be true, in regard to all that put their trust in the Lord. The affliction which terminated in her death, was short, but severe. On the day it commenced, she attended her Class, and rejoiced in God with joy unspeakable. In about four days after, she entered into the joy of her Lord; leaving her aged and kind husband, and a numerous family, as well as an extensive circle of friends, to lament her loss. Her funeral was largely attended; and the general burst of weeping that followed, when her body was committed to the dust, was such as to satisfy all present, that her life was useful; and we know that her death was triumphant.

JOHN CORLETT.

Mr. George Ivamy's Obituary

The following obituary was sent to me by Judy Foote in 1992. She cited its source as the Wesleyan Methodist Magazine for 1827, on page 785.

Died, Dec 30, at English Hr., Trinity Bay, Newfoundland, Mr. George Ivamy, age 22 yrs. The heart of this amiable youth, was by divine grace, gently opened under the preaching of the 1st Methodist Missionaries who visited English Hr. For several years he feared God and worked righteousness; and earnestly south the seal of his sonship, the Spirit of adoption. In May 1824, the Lord abundantly answered his prayers "the love of God was shed abroad in his heart" and he could cry "Abba Father" with the fullest assurance. I have known but a few youths who enjoyed such close communion with God, or who walked so circumspectly, redeeming the time. Early in 1826 he suffered much from typhus fever; and before he was quite recovered, symptoms of consumption appeared, which fully apprized his parents and friends that he could not long be a resident of earth. His sufferings, however, were of longer duration than was at first expected; but the happy cheerful and resigned frame of his mind, eminently checked the strong emotion of grief in the minds of his affectionate friends. I recollect to have been present one evening when his sufferings were very great...

Ann Barnes' Obitiary

This was also sent to me by Judy Foote, from the magazine for 1827, page 858. I suspect that the snippet below is actually Judy's summary of the obituary rather than a direct quote.

Ann Barnes, age 27 yrs of English Hr. died February 23rd joined Methodist Society when about about 17 years of age; was married "as a wife, faithful & affectionate."