Funeral of James Stibbards on 26th September 1907

DEATH OF MR. J. STIBBARDS, OF HADLEIGH

Here is the report printed in the Southend Standard:
{The village of Hadleigh has suffered a loss in the death of one of its most esteemed residents, Mr. James Stibbards ; the sad event taking place on Friday week at his residence, Montisden, High Street, Hadleigh.
The end came after a very short illness ; deceased being attacked by pneumonia only thirteen days before. [Note on pneumonia below.*]

Mr. Stibbards, who had occupied the position of Sexton at the Parish Church for the past two years and a half, was born and married in the village.
He undertook matrimonial responsibility at the age of twenty – – thirty seven years ago – – when he wedded Miss Emily Voisey, daughter of an old Southend family, who pre-deceased him some years ago.
He carried on the business of a builder and contractor, having been engaged at that work prior to marriage.  He leaves seven sons and one daughter.

THE FUNERAL

took place on Thursday at the Parish Church ; the officiating clergyman being the Rector (Rev. D. Adamson).  The coffin was borne to its last resting place by some of the oldest inhabitants who were, as boys, playmates with the deceased, the bearers being: Messrs. L. Ridgwell, A. Marshall,  J. Allen,  H. Choppin, G. Elsdon, T. Smith, T. Gardiner, and W. Pomfret.  This was greatly appreciated by the family, showing how the last respect to one of their old friends was voluntarily paid. There was a large gathering of friends and sympathisers around the graveside whilst the interment took place.

The mourners were:  Mr. and Mrs. John Stibbards (son and daughter-in-law),    Mr. and Mrs. William Stibbards (son and daughter-in-law), Mr. and Mrs. Fred Stibbards (son and daughter-in-law), Miss Stibbards (daughter), Messrs. Arthur, Frank,, and Walter Stibbards (sons),  Mr. and Mrs. John Stibbards (brother and sister-in-law), Mr. S. Stibbards (uncle), Miriam and Albert Stibbards (niece and nephew), Mr. and Mrs. Cranness, Miss Norton, Miss Newman, and Brigadier Troth.

The floral tributes were : In loving memory of our dear father, from Fred, Kitty, and little Jack :  Mr. and Mrs. Bennett and daughter, with deepest sympathy ; Floss and Arthur, in loving memory of our dear father;  in loving memory, from Brother John and Neil, “ Gone unto Him Who hath loved us and washed us from our sins  in His own blood “ ; in loving memory of dear father, from Will and Alice, “Gone to be with Jesus, which is far better”;  in loving memory, from Mrs Voisey and her daughter, Annie ; with Mr. and Mrs. Faux’s sympathy ; with deepest sympathy and love, from Mr. and Mrs. B. Cranness, Woodside, Thundersley.

The grave was lined with ivy, and the coffin bore the inscription :-

JAMES STIBBARDS
Died September 13th, 1907
Aged 57 years.

On Sunday morning special hymns were sung, and the “Dead March” in Saul beautifully rendered at the church.}

[Ed: * at the time, there were no antibiotics to treat pneumonia caused by a bacterial infection.]