Ella Innes Robertson

People Buried Here

Epitaph

Description

Obituary

DEATH OF A FORMER MINISTER OF CHARD CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. The Rev. William Robertson, who died at Shipham Manor, Winscombe, recently, was for some years pastor of the Congregational Church at Chard. The burial took place last week in the cemetery at Romsey. Early service was conducted in the church at Shipman by the Rev. C. H. Rochfort Davies, and the services in the Congregational Church, Romsey, and at the cemetery were conducted by the Rev. H. Gammidge, Congregational minister, Bristol. During the services in Romsey Church, the Rev. H. Gammidge made interesting references to Mr. Roberson's pastorate in several churches, "ever proving himself to be a man of much force and intelligence of mind, kindliness of mind, and devotion of spirit. A strong regard for the church at Romney was fittingly expressed by the remains finding their last resting place by the side of beloved friends who hid gone before." After service in Shipham Church on Sunday last, the Rev. C. H. Rochfort Davies referred to Mr. Robertson's death. He said : We of the Church of England can but regret that his powers were not employed in our own communion—wherein during the last few years he had been content to worship God, as far as failing health permitted. It was my own privilege and pleasure to enjoy a large share of personal intercourse with him, and although, of course, there were many points of divergence in our thoughts and opinions, yet the younger is gratefully indebted for much to the elder, and the abstinence, in my experience of him, from unkind remarks on other people, and his readiness to defend any concerning whom adverse rumours were afloat, are exemplary. He may be said to have lived to a ripe old age, and yet how sad and melancholy is the inevitable termination of human life, especially when, as in this case, superb physique appears to the last to be defying the work of time. Our Christian faith and hope indeed rob death of its worst terrors, but Charity (with love), which will outlast faith and hope, uniting as it does the hearts of men, perhaps makes us feel the separation caused by death more acutely. After more than nine years' service in Romsey, Mr. Robertson went to Chard, and upon his retirement from the ministry, he resided at Shipham Manor, Winscombe, where he died, aged 75 years. He leaves a widow and daughter to mourn his loss. During his residence in Romsey Mr. Robertson made many friends, and was specially beloved by the poor, and it was his express desire that his remains should be interred in Romsey Cemetery. He had a firm presence and was a preacher always worth listening to. He took an active part in the political and social life of the town, and there are some living now who can recall the vigorous and outspoken speech he made at the Town Hall, when the Bulgarian atrocities, as they were called, were horrifying Europe and were arousing, as at the present day, feelings of hatred against the bloodthirsty and cruel Turk. At Romsey station Miss Robertson was met by Mr. Bentley George, and Miss Davey, and the chief mourners were Miss Robertson (daughter), Mr. David Robertson (nephew, from Scotland), Rev. H. Gammidge (Bristol), Mr, Bentley George, and Miss Davie (personal friend.). Notwithstanding a severe storm the services at the Church and cemetery were attended by a considerable number of friends, and many floral wreaths were sent for the adornment of the grave. The inscription upon the breastplate was : "Rev. William Robertson, born 16th February, 1828, died 6th September, 1903."