JAMES JEREMIAH DAVIES

THE LATE MR. J.J. DAVIES

 Another of our old and esteemed townsmen has passed away in the person of

Mr. James Jeremiah Davies. Coming from Reading in the year 1847, he first occupied the shop where Mr. Charles Edmonds, the grocer, afterwards carried on business. In 1852, he removed to the shop on the opposite side of the street which was formerly the residence of the well known solicitor, Mr. Jeré Bunny. In Mr. Bunny's time the garden and grounds extended the length of West-street, but after his death the house was converted into business premises, and a thoroughfare being opened, West-street sprang up. The greater part of the present shop was built by Mr. Davies, and there he successfully established the earthenware and china business which enabled him to support a fairly large family, and which remains in the hands of some of his sons.

From early years Mr. Davies was afflicted with a weakness of the spine, which increased as he grew older and gradually incapacitated him from all work of a public or arduous nature. But naturally of a very bright spirit, he derived much enjoyment from life, and possessed a busy energy which he turned to account in many ways. For some years his strength has been decreasing, and latterly he has failed rapidly. Still the end was sudden when it came. Only two days before his death he was sitting up, but on Thursday last collapse of the heart was feared, and on Friday evening he quietly passed away. Most of his family were with him in his closing hours.

Though taking no active part in municipal affairs Mr. Davies was keenly interested therein; he was well versed in social and political history, and to the last kept in close touch with contemporary politics. Coming from good old Nonconformist stock he took great interest in the Baptist Church, in the Christian tenets of which his family for several generations had been reared. He was for many years superintendent of the Newbury Baptist Sunday School, when it met in the old chapel in Northcroft-lane, and also for some time after the new Baptist Chapel was built. In its erection he took the liveliest interest. He was a deacon of the Baptist Church under the successive ministries of Revs. F. Robertson, Geo. Howe, E. George and the present pastor. As missionary secretary he greatly aided that cause. For some years he was a local preacher and chairman of the village committee.

Mr. Davies was always well known as a keen advocate of temperance reform, was an abstainer from an early life, and for years manifested an active interest in the Band of Hope movement. In musical pursuits he took a great delight. At one time he presided over a singing class of 150 members, and under the late Mr. James Godding took part in many concerts and other musical functions. He had a pleasant musical, bass voice, and was in the Baptist choir for a great number of years. His love for Handel's music was great, especially "The Messiah" oratorio. Even in his old age, his memory was good for old tunes, madrigals, and glees, and at family re-unions he was quite to the front in suggestions, and delighted to join in singing so far as his weakness would allow.

Mr. Davies leaves behind him a widow and eight children to whom, though his death is a severe loss, the memory of his life is fragrant and precious, and the power of his example an inspiration. The deceased was born in October 1821, and accordingly in his 80th year.

A correspondent who was well acquainted with the late Mr. Davies, writes—

The deceased was in many respects a remarkable man. For fully one third of his life he suffered under physical disabilities which might have crushed the spirit of a less brave man. At times he must have endured considerable and prolonged pain, and only the frail and weak can form even an approximate idea of what such affliction really means. It may be described as a contest between mind and matter- a constant struggle in which the nobler part of man gloriously triumphed. Those who enjoyed the privilege of acquaintance with Mr. Davies will recall his cheerful, hopeful, uncomplaining disposition; his intelligent outlook on current events, the eagerness with which he discussed social, economic, political, and religious problems; his retentive memory, and the lucidity with which he re-called the history of the Victorian era, and the great changes he had been permitted to witness; his warm sympathy with any movement calculated to improve the lives of his fellow countrymen, and his condemnation of vices which he saw to be inimical to the best interests of the country, and especially to the happiness and prosperity of the rising race. For nearly 16 years he had been a regular correspondent to a West of England journal, and I am in the position to say his letters have created an interest and awakened a curiosity as to the identity of the writer beyond those of any other contributor. He had a faculty for introducing controversial topics with the clever skill of an angler, and numerous were the the occasions upon which the bait tendered by the deceased was swallowed with avidity.

In politics Mr. Davies was an old-fashioned Liberal. A great admirer of Mr. Gladstone, he did not hesitate to support his Home Rule proposals for Ireland, but on Labour questions he was more Conservative than the younger school of Liberals, His distrust of Socialism led him to break many a lance with opponents of Socialist doctrines, and he did not view with unmixed approval some of the recent developments in Trade Union circles. Hence it followed that the deceased frequently found himself out of harmony with some of the readers of the newspaper to which he so long and regularly wrote, but on the other hand his caution and prudence commended themselves to many people, and it is no exaggeration to say that his removal will be regretted by scores who never saw him, nor even heard his name.  He was a strong advocate of thrift, and by precept and example counselled abstinence from intoxicants and a general practice of economy.

Although compelled to live the life of a semi-recluse, his mind was always on the alert to welcome the latest discoveries in science, and his friends were often surprised at the information which he acquired and the faculty with which he used it in conversation. Geology, astronomy, botany, each in its turn claimed his attention, and as a result his communications to the press frequently testified, not only to the extent of his reading, but his capacity for thinking along original lines. Unlike the "Little Gentleman" in Oliver Wendell Holmes book his bodily affliction raised no rebellious thoughts nor engendered bitter feelings. Not for him was it to say "My life is the dying pang of a worn-out race, and I shall go down alone into the dust, out of this world of men and women, without ever knowing the fellowship of the one or  the love of the other."

Happily, the long period of his exclusion from these scenes of activity with which his earlier years were associated, was brightened by many social and religious enjoyments, and it is in this connection mention may be made of Mr. Davies' love of music, the keenness with which he would play a game of chess, the delight he experienced in retailing a good story or joke, the interest he took in the movements of his children, and the scholastic successes of his grandchildren. Until middle life he sang at public concerts, and old residents in Newbury will recall how on the occasion of Mr. C.H. Spurgeon's visit to the town, when the popular divine preached in the Corn Exchange, the important duty of starting the hymn tunes was entrusted to Mr. Davies. It may be left to others to refer to his business career, marked as it was by early struggles and indomitable perseverance. I have endeavoured to speak of his qualities of heart and mind, and how ever imperfectly I may have performed the mournful task it will be conceded that the life just ended was not without a measure of inspiration for minds capable of understanding that quiet, unobtrusive heroism which irradiates and sanctifies the home and which before the open grave leads us "To prize the breath we share with human kind, And look upon the dust of man with awe."

THE FUNERAL

The funeral took place on Wednesday. The first part of the service was in the Baptist Church, Northbrook-street. The body was conveyed from Ashley House, London-road in a Washington car followed by several mourning carriages. The service was conducted by the Rev. George J. Knight, the pastor of the church, who said although he purposed dealing more particularly with the life and example of Mr. Davies at a special memorial service, next Sunday evening, yet on the present occasion he felt he ought express the sympathy of the whole church with the mourners. Mr. Davies had for 50 years or more been amongst them, and they realised what a truly Christian life he had led. He (Mr. Knight) regarded him as one of the most remarkable men of Newbury. His physical trials were great, but his believing spirit and quiet reliance on an unseen Power carried him throughout a lengthened and trying life. And now he had gone to be with the Lord, and to enjoy a life of which the human mind could not imagine the joys. To know him was to esteem him for his beautiful spirit, and his hopeful quiet life. Touching on his church work, Mr. Davies had been a follower of the Christ for over 60 years and for thirty years had been a deacon of the church, until of recent years the annual church meeting had elected him an honorary deacon for the remainder of his life. His was a life they all might emulate, to make a friend of Jesus, so that at the end, like their departed brother, they might say death had lost its sting. He had gone, and it was with certain hope that they rejoiced he was departed to be with Jesus.

Wesley's hymn "Come let us join our friends above" was then sung, and after a short prayer the body was conveyed from the church to the cemetery.

The coffin was of polished oak, with brass furniture, and bore the inscription: 

JAMES J. DAVIES

Died June 7, 1901

Aged 79

The mourners were Mrs. J.J. Davies (widow), Mrs Thompson (daughter), Messrs Philip E. Davies, Macfarlane Davies, James W. Davies, William H. Davies, and Walter J. Davies (sons), Mr. W. Thompson (son-in-law), Mesdames P.E. Davies, Mac F. Davies, J.W. Davies, W. H. Davies, W.J. Davies (daughters-in-law), Mrs. Cooke (sister-in-law), Mrs French (aunt), Messrs. E.P. Collier, J.P. and T.S. Waite (nephews), Messrs. A. Jackson, J.P., T.M. Nias, W. Miller, G. Bowden, J. Rowles, and L. Clayton (deacons of Newbury Baptist Church), Messrs. W. Cordrey and W. Wood (deacons of Bromley-road Tabernacle, Lee S.E.) 

There were also present in the Chapel, or at the graveside, Mr. and Mrs. Mortimer, Messrs. A. Whitington, J. Siney, F.C.Hopson W.E. Lewendon, S. North, S. North jun. J. Grimwood, J. Lane, F. Bentley, R. Eatwell, Steptoe, sen. And jun., Mrs. Nias, Mrs. Chivers, Mrs Mortimer, Miss Dyer, Miss Bentley, Mrs. Newton, Miss Allen, Miss Walker, Mrs. Longford etc.

The coffin was covered by a number of beautiful wreaths, among which were:- A tribute of affection from sons and daughters; in loving memory of dear Grandpa from Nell, Mary and Arthur. In loving memory of dear Grandpa, from Maggie, Charlie and Edgar. To dear grandpa from Mildred, Norah and Donald. With loving sympathy in remembrance of dear grandpa from Mac and Bert. In loving memory from Tom, Kate and Mary. With deep sympathy from Mrs. Cooke and Mrs. Dyer. In affectionate remembrance, from Mr. and Mrs. Mortimer and family. A tribute of esteem from the deacons of the Baptist Church, Newbury. With the sincere respect and sympathy of the firm's employees. With sympathy, tender and true, from J.H. and T. Thompson. With Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Cordery's sincere sympathy. With much sympathy and loving remembrance of an old friend M.A. Vince.

Newbury Weekly News 13 June 1901