Ebenezer Ernest Buttsworth (1866-1937)

Obituary
STRUCK BY CYCLE Local Preacher Fatally Injured ACCIDENTAL DEATH VERDICT After attending church at Boolaroo on the night of Sovember 7, Ernmest Ebenezer Buttsworth, 71, a retired schoolmaster, of Fassifern, was walking along Main-road, Boolaroo, when he was knocked, down by a motor-cycle. He died at Wallsend Hospital the following day. At an inquest at the Newcastle Courthouse yesterday, the District Coroner (Mr. A. G. Chiplin) found that death was the result of an accident.

EBENEZER ERNEST BUTTSWORTH The late Mr. Buttsworth was born on the Manning River 71 years ago. His childhood days were spent partly on the Manning River, and partly at Wilberforce, near Windsor. He was a nephew of the late Rev. John Watsford. At 18 years of age he entered the service of the Department of Education, and at 21 years of age became a local preacher. On January 29, 1886, he married Miss Fanny Coombes, of the Forbes River on the North Coast. He served the Education Department faithfully, till his retirement six years ago. He served in the following public schoos—Hastings River, Rothbury, Cessnock, Gulargambone, Lawson, Oakhampton, Forster, Jones' Island, and Awaba. His home was at Fassifern of late years. All through his life he was in active service for his Master and the Church of his choice. His sermons were always of a good quality and highly spiritual. He filled many important offices in the Toronto Circuit. He was at the time of his death local preacher, junior circuit steward, secretary of. leaders' meeting, trustee, auditor of trust accounts, and Sunday school teacher. In all offices he showed marked ability and thoroughness. He was representative to the Annual Conference of 1937, and representa tive to the District Synod. On Sunday, 7th November, he preached at Wangi at 3 p.m., and at Boolaroo at night. He sang lustily his closing hymn, 'Abide with me.' It seemed like a benediction to hear him sing the last line, 'In life, and death, O Lord, abide with me.' In a few moments he met with an accident from which he never regained consciousness, but passed away on the Monday, 8th, in the Wallsend Hospital. The Rev. A. G. Whitten officiated at the graveside at Wallsend, assisted by Rev. E. Barker and Rev. J. Wesley Booth, also Mr. J. F. Humphreys, senior circuit steward. A Masonic service followed. He leaves a widow, four sons, and two daughters to mourn his loss.—A.G.W.

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