Funeral of Mr. J. Betts—The interment took place on Saturday afternoon, in the parish churchyard at Knotting, of the late Mr. Jesse Betts, of Knotting Green, whose death we recorded in the last issue of "The Rushden Echo" The Rev. F. E. M. Girling (Vicar of Souldrop and Knotting) conducted the service in the Parish Church in a very feeling and impressive manner, and also read the committal sentences by the grave-side. The mourners were Mrs. Betts (widow) and Mr. Jesse Betts, jun., Sharnbrook (son); Mr. Fred Betts Rushden, and Mrs. J. Hunt, Streatham (son and daughter); Mr. and Mrs. A. Brown, Wellingborough (son-in-law and daughter); Mr Fred Thornton and Miss Carrie Thorton, Wellingborough ... ... ... ... Sharnbrook, and Mrs Fred Betts, Rushden (daughter-in-law); Mr and Mrs Chas Sawford, Rushden (brother-in-law and sister-in-law); Mr. Thos. Hulatt, Souldrop, and Mrs. Wooding, Aylesbury (sister-in-law); Mr. Frank Betts, jun Rushden (grandson); Miss I. L. Scott, Rushden; Alderman Thos. Patenall, Deputy-Mayor of Higham Ferrers, and Mrs. Patenall; Miss Florrie Ellis, Rushden; Mr. W. E. Capon, Rushden (representing the local preachers of the Higham Ferrers Wesleyan circuit), and Mr. C. Cross, Rushden (representing the Park-road Wesleyan Church, Rushden). Alderman Patenall represented the Higham Ferrers Wesleyan circuit. A number of the parishioners of Knotting and Knotting Green attended the service. The bearers were Messrs David Billington, Alec Sawford, Stanley Bosworth and Thos. Holyoak. The coffin bore the following inscription:-
JESSE BETTS
Died Aug 30, 1910
Aged 76 years
After the coffin had been lowered into the grave, the hymn “Rock of Ages” was sung. The floral tributes bore the following inscriptions:-
A harp with a broken string – Fondest love from his sorrowing wife and children.
To dear brother Jesse, with truest sympathy, from Sarah and George Wooding (Aylesbury).
In loving memory of dear grandfather, from Frank, Fred and Ida.
To dear Gramp, fondest remembrance, from Carrie and Fred. “Until the day break, and the shadows flee away.”
To dear Grandfather, with love and sincerest regard, from Hal, Harry, Ethel, Frank, Will, Herbie and Maggie.
In remembrance, from Stanley.
From Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Paenall.
With deepest sympathy, from Edith Bosworth.
In affectionate regard, from ILS.
With deepest sympathy, from E. Mayes.
In memory of a dear old friend, from the Local Preachers of the Higham Ferrers Wesleyan Circuit in sure and certain hope of a re-union Beyond.
The funeral arrangements were carried out by Mr. Lake Wallis, of Souldrop.
Memorial Service—On Sunday evening Alderman T. Patenall (Deputy Mayor of Higham Ferrers) conducted a memorial service in the Knotting Green Wesleyan Chapel to the late Mr. Jesse Betts, an almost lifelong supporter of the Methodist cause. There was a large congregation, friends being present from Rushden, Riseley, and Souldrop. Miss I L Scott (Rushden) officiated at the harmonium, and favourite hymns of the deceased were sung to his favourite tunes. Miss L Wooding (Rushden) sang the solo, "Hold Thou my hand.” Mr. Patenall preached from the words "I have fought a good fight," etc., and, in the course of a warm-hearted tribute to Mr. Betts, he said : Mr. Betts's life was begun well, continued well, and ended well. His religious life was commenced in the little band of Christians who used to meet in Mr. Hodby's house at Knotting, more than 50 years ago, the leader being Mr Dearlove. About the year 1855 Mr. Hodby passed away, and Mr. Betts opened his house for service. Amid all the darkness and difficulties through which Nonconformity had to pass, Mr. Betts was loyal to God and to Methodism. His children were sent to Riseley Wesleyan Sunday School to which they are still endeared, and Mrs and Mrs Betts transferred their membership to the cause Souldrop. When the little chapel at Knotting Green was opened, it was a red-letter day to Mr. and Mrs. Betts and the other members. Mr. Betts was a thoroughly good man, and everyone who knew him admired his goodness and appreciated his moral worth, while all local preachers for whom he made a home for 50 years value the generous hospitality he always gave them.
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