William Clegg
Dodworth | Methodism in Dodworth| Farnsworth | G.Kenworthy | Wentworth Castle
William Clegg was the eldest son of James(Coal Miner) and Maria Clegg (nee Senior). He was born on the 9th January, 1863 at Jackson's Square, Dodworth, Barnsley. The family also lived at 33 Jermyn Croft and then moved to 62 High Street, Dodworth. (He was on High Street on 17th January, 1925.)
He was employed as a Stonemason by the Midland Railway at Skipton and later obtained a similar position on Wentworth Castle Estate, where he worked for upwards of 30 years. During this period
he assisted in the erection of the new wing at the Castle and also in the building of Hood Green Lodge.
Built by Wm.Clegg
He was also on the Building Committee of Dodworth Methodist Church, and helped to build the extension to the Wesleyan School.
He married Catherine Pigeon on the 15th June, 1886 at Repton School Chapel, Repton, Derby. Catherine lived at Repton School ,(founded 1557) where her father Patrick Pigeon was Caretaker. Witnesses of the marriage were Henry and Eliza Pigeon . The Vicar - George Woodyatt. It is noted that according to the census of 1881, she resided at Dodworth Grove. and was employed as a Domestic Servant (Cook).
William and Catherine had 3 children:
- James who married Annie Folkes - they had 8 children;
- Arthur born on 7th February, 1885 who married Edith Faulkes They had 2 children Eric and Audrey and lived at one time on Gate Crescent, he died on the 29th January, 1954.
- Harold born on the 8th July, 1889. He married Betsy Jepson NORTON . They had 2 children.
Catherine, William's wife died on 23rd October, 1924 at 62 High Street, Dodworth, aged 65 years. and was interred in Dodworth Cemetery, Plot 40, section C
Music was William's hobby and he was one of the foremost members of the Dodworth Male Voice Choir. While he was with the choir, he succeeded in winning the Barnsley Co-operative Society Shield for three years in succession at the Mexborough Music Festival. He won the Rose Bowl at the Stocksbridge Music Festival and the Elsecar Music Festival Shield. He also assisted regularly on the concert platform at Stainbrough Music Festival on 'Hospital Sunday'.
William was a very ardent Methodist and for many years was assistant choirmaster at Dodworth Wesleyan Chapel, at the time John T. Collins was choirmaster.
He was a teacher and superintendent of the Sunday School. In 1930, he was presented with a certificate of Long Service in acknowledgment of his 40 years work at the Sunday School and the Church. In April, 1930 he received a presentation copy of a hymn-book - "In recognition of long and devoted service to the Sunday School".
He died in 1933 and the funeral took place at Dodworth Cemetery after a service held at Dodworth Methodist Church. The Rev. A. Boyd McGarr paid tribute to the memory of William. The organist was Albert Kenworthy, his nephew.
present at funeral
Nephews & nieces
- Mrs. Christopher Brookes
- Mrs. Colin Clarke (Birdwell)
- Charlie & John Clegg (Messrs.(Birdwell)
- Mrs. Lewis Rowley (Hoyland Common)
- Mrs. Smith( Hoyland Common)
- Mr. & Mrs. H Pickering
- Mr. & Mrs. E. Dyson-Proctor
Cousins
- Mrs. J Hollingsworth
- Mrs. T Youel
The coffin was borne by Messrs E. Hawksworth, E. Walshaw, J. Breeze, H. Lockwood
last updated Jan 2007