One who had witnessed the growth and prosperity of Rushden, and who had herself taken an active interest in all pertaining to the welfare of the town, passed away on Tuesday afternoon in the person of Mrs. Benjamin Denton, of Eastfields, Rushden. Undoubtedly Rushden owes its present position to the shoe trade, and also undoubtedly the firm bearing the name of the deceased’s husband was the first to fully open up the shoe trade in the town. Mr. George Denton in 1845 established a business in which he was joined by his brother Benjamin, the latter being left in a very short time to carry on the business, afterwards bringing in his son George (the present head of the firm of B. Denton and Son, and chairman of the Urban Council). In the various developments of the different branches of business established by Mr. Benjamin Denton he was ably seconded by his wife, who became well known for her warm sympathy and ready helpfulness. Every movement calculated to further the well-being of the community received her ardent support. But perhaps the movement into which she entered most heartily was the establishment of the Independent Wesleyan Church, and into this enterprise she threw herself whole-heartedly, almost to the close of her life entering fully into all that would promote the well-being of the church and congregation. Having reached the advanced age of eighty years, it was only to be expected that her work was done, but till a few months past she was able to take an active part in the work she loved. She had been confined to her room for the past few weeks, and passed peacefully away just after five o’clock on Tuesday afternoon. She left behind one son (Mr. George Denton), at whose residence she passed away, and two daughters (Mrs. Brawn and Mrs. Lilley). The funeral took place this (Friday) afternoon, a service, in which the Revs. R. Shorten and T. G. Harper (Bradford) took part, being held in the Independent Wesleyan Church, in the presence of a large congregation. The deceased was laid with her husband in the graveyard of the Old Baptist Chapel.

23rd May 1902

Funeral of Mrs. B. Denton of Rushden

The funeral of Mrs. B. Denton, one of the oldest and best known inhabitants of Rushden, whose death on Tuesday week has already been reported, took place on Friday afternoon, amid numerous signs of respect and esteem. The mourners and sympathisers assembled at Eastfield, the home of deceased’s son, Mr. George Denton, C.C., and proceeded from thence to the Independent Wesleyan Chapel in High-street. Preceding the hearse were a number of office bearers and representatives of the church with which Mrs. Denton had been so long connected, and whose welfare she sought constantly to promote. These included Rev. R. Shorten (pastor), Rev. T. G. Harper (a former pastor), Mrs. Berry, Mrs. Lawson, Mrs. A. Wright, and Mrs. Wrighton (representing the sewing class), Messrs. J. Jaques, A. Wrighton, W. Lack, W. Gutteridge, and E. Claridge (representing the church), Messrs. J. S. Clipson, J. Spencer, John Clark, and J. Cloes (representing the Wellingborough-road Mission). The bearers were Messrs. J. Mackness, G. Hewitt, T. Surridge, J. Bull, A. Whitman, and S. Leeding. Following the hearse came a number of coaches, conveying the following chief mourners: Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Denton, Mr. and Mrs. Horace Brawn (daughter), Mr. and Mrs. T. Lilley (daughter), Mr. Geo. Denton, junr., and Mr. Reginald Denton (grandsons), Miss Mabel Denton, Miss May Brawn, Mr. Cecil Brawn, Mr. Leonard Brawn, Mr. T. Lilley, junr., Mr. Cecil Lilley, Mr. Harold Lilley, and Mr. Edgar Lilley (grandchildren), Mr. W. Spong (Higham Ferrers), and Mr. Chas. G. Cunnington. A large number of members of the church were also present, and also representatives of the firm of Messrs. B. Denton and Son, whose works were closed during the time of the funeral.

A large congregation assembled in the Independent Wesleyan Church, and whilst these were gathering, the organist, Miss Rose Knight, played suitable selections, including “But who may abide?” (Handel) and “O rest in the Lord” (Mendelssohn). The pulpit had been draped in black relieved with white, a white tablet in the centre bearing the words, “At rest,” and flowers resting upon the communion table. The opening portions of the burial service were feelingly and impressively read by the Rev. R. Shorten, after which the hymn “God of my life through all my days” was sung. The Rev. T. G. Harper then said they were gathered to give Christian burial to the mortal remains of one who was for many years a member of the church, and whose life had been spent in their midst. Their presence was a tribute of affectionate regard for the memory of a Christian lady whose life they remembered and whose death they regretted. He would not attempt to eulogise the life of their departed sister, but to those who knew her would come memories of her kind presence; gentle, sympathetic heart; generous, kindly hospitality; and her willingness to render such Christian service as lay in her power to the church to which she belonged, and to Christ’s cause everywhere. They were not grieving for a life untimely cut off – though they had recently had reason to mourn those snatched away in the bloom of youth and the prime of life – but might say of their sister that “she had come to her grave in full age, like a shock of corn fully ripe.” They were thankful that she had been permitted to live a life of activity, comparatively free from sickness, and had been taken home in her old age. That must be some consolation to the bereaved ones, and also to know that she was at rest in the Paradise of God. Her departure was the severance of another link between the present and past both of the town and that church, her life having been contemporary with the history especially of the latter, whilst her influence had been felt in both. He liked to think of death not so much as a messenger of evil as a herald who bade them enter into the Master’s joy. It was not a gloomy thing for a Christian to die, for it was the gateway of immortal life, and they rejoiced to know that their sister was in the Divine presence for evermore. They thanked God for her life, and took courage and hope that the same faith might be given to them. He besought them not to let that Christian life pass without gathering up such lessons as would help them all. – The hymn “Brief life is here our portion” having been sung, Mr. Harper offered prayer, and the cortege then left the church, the organist meanwhile playing a funeral march.

As the funeral procession wended its way to the Old Baptist burial-ground, where the deceased lady was laid to rest with her husband, there were numerous tokens of respect and sympathy. In spite of the rain, which was now falling heavily, a large crowd gathered for the closing service at the graveside. – The coffin was of polished oak, with brass fittings, the breastplate bearing the inscription: Elizabeth, wife of Benjamin Denton. Born Feb. 4th, 1822; died May 13th, 1902. The handsome wreaths bore the following inscriptions:- “In loving memory of our dear mother. T. and M. Lilley”; To dear grandma, form the Rushden grandchildren, Eastfields, Rushden”; “In loving memory of our dear Granny, and loving sympathy, from S. Jacques, Gospel Oak, N.W. – “He giveth His beloved sleep”; “In loving sympathy, from May”; “In loving memory of our dear Grandma, from Tom and Florrie”; “In loving memory of Grandmother – Cecil Lilley”; “In loving memory of dear Grandmother – Kate”; “In loving memory, from Arthur and Hetty – Mrs. Arthur Sykes, London”; Mr. and Mrs. Cunnington”; “A tribute of sincere sympathy, from Ethel, Ada and Mary”; “A tribute of sincere sympathy, from the employees – B. Denton and Son.” – Messrs. Walker and Everard carried out the funeral arrangements.