Ann’s Obituary

The following is the text of Ann Rosser’s obituary notice in the Methodist Magazine for 1832.

Jan: 2nd, 1832 At Earlswood, in the Newport Circuit, Monmouthshire, Mrs Ann Rosser, aged eighty-four; having been a member of the Methodist Society sixty-two years.
She was sound in the faith; a subject of deep experience; holy in life; eminently useful in leading sinners to Christ, and in encouraging believers to hold fast their confidence.
She frequently travelled many miles to hear the venerable founder of Methodism: was greatly attached to the preachers; and did everything in her power to promote their usefulness and comfort. As she lived, so she died, rejoicing in the God of her salvation.

It is interesting that the Methodist Church, at this point, makes no reference to Ann’s activities leading to the realisation of the Chapel at Earlswood. The article about the fire that consumed her cottage just before her death is a clear witness to the much larger role that Ann played in her community.

I note that this obituary tells us that Ann had been a Member of the Society for 62 years at the time of her death. This means that she would have been 22 at the time she joined and although John Wesley preached several times in the vicinity of Chepstow it was, perhaps, at his sermon of 25th August 1769 that Ann finally made her mind up to join the Society.