Samuel John BUTCHER, date of birth unknown. Died 11 January 1904, Weston Beggard, aged 62 years.
married Mary Haines PLATTS, date of birth unknown.
One daughter: Grace Mary BUTCHER, born 1876.
The following transcriptions of newspaper cuttings dating from 1904 were found in Australia by Michelle Dempsey among the possessions of Mary Kelly, the wife of Ernest Kelly, eldest son of William J Kelly (Platts). The newspaper is not identified.
PAINFUL SUDDEN DEATH OF A VICAR
The Rev S.J. Butcher passes away a few hours after preaching. The death of the Rev. Samuel J. Butcher, the much-esteemed vicar of Weston Beggard, near Hereford, occured with painful sadness during Sunday night, and the news has been heard throughout a wide district with very sincere regret. It appears that the deceased gentleman was attacked with influenza on Saturday, but was able to preach at the morning and afternoon services on Sunday, though members of the congregation observed that he was not in his ordinary health. He retired as usual in the evening, but afterwards becoming worse, passed away a short time afterwards. The cause of death has been certified as congestion of the lungs. Mr Butcher, who was about 62 years of age, had discharged the duty of vicar of Weston Beggard for about twelve years, and previously was for some years curate in charge of Westhide. He was ordained in 1861, and was an M.A. of Trinity College, Dublin. Previous to his appointment at Westhide he held curacies at Jarrow, Durham, Dewsbury, Yorks. and Shildon, Durham. The deceased clergyman, who was of a retiring disposition, being respected alike by churchman and nonconformists. He took a deep interest in the work of the Parish Council and in all that affected the welfare of the parish. He leaves a widow and one daughter to mourn his loss.
WESTON BEGGARD
FUNERAL OF THE REV. S.J. BUTCHERThe funeral of the Rev. S.J. Butcher, Vicar of Weston Beggard, who, as announced with much regret in our last issue, passed away suddenly in the early morning of Monday week, took place on Thursday afternoon. The remains, enclosed in a coffin made by Mr. Pritchard, Shucknail, were taken into the parish church on Wednesday night, and the burial sentences were read by the Rev. A.G. Jones, vicar of Yarkhill. Holy communion was celebrated at 8.30 am on Thursday by Prebendary W.H. Lambert, Rector of Stoke Edith, and was attended by relatives and parishioners. Despite the wet weather, there was a large number present at the funeral. The principle mourners were Mrs. and Miss Butcher (widow and daughter), Mr. and Mrs. John J. Platts of Forest Hill, London, and Mr. and Mrs. Henry Charles Platts, Sydenham, London (the widow's brothers and sisters-in-law), while the clergy present were the Dean of Hereford, Prebendaries G.E. Ashley (the rural Dean) and W.H. Lambert, and the Revs. A.G. Jones, A.N. Cope (Dormington), A.E. Green-Price (Tarrington), and W.W. Fisher (Llanrothal). The choir was also present. Prebendary Lambert read the prayers, and Prebendary Ashley the lesson. Besides the psalm, there were two hymns, Nos 427 and 438. A and M., sung in church, and as the coffin was being removed to the grave the "Nume Dimittis" was rendered. Prebendary Lambert read the committal sentences, and hymn 221 was sung, followed at the conclusion of the service by the vesper hymn.
Floral tributes were sent by Mrs. and Miss Butcher, Mr. and Mrs. J.J. Platts, Mr. and Mrs. H.C. Platts, Mrs. Bullock and Mrs. Cotton (Bosbury), Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Davies (Claston), Miss Mary Davies and Masters Don, Mostyn, Norman and Philip Davies, Mr. and Mrs. Averay-Jones, Mrs. and Miss Pitt (Pigeon House), Mr. J.T. Pitt, and Mr. W.J. Pitt, Mr. T.E. Davies, Mrs. Carless and family, Mrs. Smith and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Percy Morris, Rev. and Mrs. Fisher, Mrs. M. Lewis (Worcester), Mrs. Elliott (Withington), Wilding (the post-boy), and others. A memorial sermon was preached at Weston Beggard on Sunday morning by Prebendary Lambert.
