Ellen Jane (Kitson) Bedwell (1869 - 1935)

Born 1869 in Leiston, Suffolk, England, United Kingdom

Wife of Harry James Bedwell — married 2 Jul 1894 in Leiston, Suffolk, England, United Kingdom

Died 8 Sep 1935 at about age 66 in Cotton, Suffolk, England, United Kingdom

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Biography

Ellen was born in Leiston, Suffolk, England, in the third quarter of 1869. ^[1] She was the daughter of David Kitson, a carpenter at the works of RIchard Garrett & Co. Leiston, and Mary Ann Backhouse. ^[2] She married Harry Bedwell in Leiston on 2 July 1894 ^[3] and they lived in Cotton, Suffolk, where Harry had acquired two windmills. They had a son and a daughter. She died in Cotton on 8 September 1935 aged 65 or 66, although said to be only 64. ^[4]

Diss Express, Friday 13 September 1935, p. 4, col. 7:
Cotton.
Prominent church worker’s death.
Following an illness of several week’s duration the death occurred on Saturday at the age of 64 years, of Mrs. Ellen Jane Bedwell, wife of Mr. H. J. Bedwell, who has been a miller in the parish for over 40 years. Mr.[sic] Bedwell came to reside at Cotton from Leiston and until last Easter she had been prominently associated with various activities of the parish, particularly those concerning the Parish Church. For many years Mrs. Bedwell was responsible for the beautiful floral decorations of the Church, she was a member of the Parochial Church Council, the Enrolling Member of the Cotton branch of the Mothers’ Union, having been a member since the inauguration of the branch and a member of the Mothers’ Meeting. Mrs. Bedwell had also organised the Easter egg collection for the East Suffolk and Ipswich Hospital and in addition she was also the parish representative for Dr. Barnardo’s Home. Not only the Church but the whole parish have lost a zealous and conscientious worker through her passing.

The funeral took place at Cotton on Wednesday afternoon. At the main entrance the cortege was met by the Rev. J. E. Cowell (Rector) who officiated and members of the Mothers’ Union, in the charge of Miss Cowell and Mrs. T. F. Woods, lined the pathway. Mrs. G. Black presided at the organ rendering “O Rest in the Lord” as the procession entered the Church and the Nunc Dimittis at the close. The hymns “Let me be with Thee” and “Praise my Soul” were feelingly sung. Psalm 23 was also sung. The principal mourners were: the widower, Mr. and Mrs. D. le Grice (Cotton), son-in-law and daughter; Mrs. H. Bedwell, daughter-in-law; Mrs. F. Garrard and Mr. C. le Grice. …

Sources

1. ↑ Birth: "England and Wales Birth Registration Index, 1837-2008," , FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2X7R-F4Q : 1 October 2014), Ellen Jane Kitson, 1869; from "England & Wales Births, 1837-2006," database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing Birth Registration, Blything, Suffolk, England, citing General Register Office, Southport, England.
2. ↑ 1891 census: "England and Wales Census, 1891", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4FK3-RPZ : Fri Mar 08 13:54:40 UTC 2024), Entry for David Kitson and Mary Kitson, 1891.
3. ↑ Marriage: Ipswich Journal, 7 July 1904, p. 8, col. 4, British Newspaper Archive:
   

   LEISTON.
   WEDDING.—On Monday a pretty little wedding took place at St. Margaret's Church, the contracting parties being Ellen, youngest daughter of Mr. David Kitson, Leiston, and Mr. Harry James Bedwell, eldest son of the late Mr. James Bedwell. Considerable interest was evinced in the auspicious event. The service was conducted by the Rev. B. W. Raven. The bride, who was given away by her father, was attended by her sister, Miss Emma Kitson, as bridesmaid. In the afternoon the happy couple left for their new home at Cotton, where Mr. Bedwell has recently acquired two mills. They wore the recipients of numerous presents.

4. ↑ Death: "England and Wales Death Registration Index 1837-2007", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVH2-Q96W : 3 November 2021), Ellen J Bedwell, 1935.

• See also: FamilySearch Person: GMRL-5LC