Sarah J. Wilson

Biography contributed by Mrs Colyn Storer, Sydney, Australia

Sarah J Wilson - Sarah Jane was born on 14 July 1867, the only child of Isaac Wilson and Mary Ann nee Baker. Mary Ann was the daughter of James Baker and Sarah nee Court who had emigrated with six children including Mary Ann from Kent as part of the Canterbury Pilgrims in 1850.

Isaac and Mary Ann lived at Kaiapoi close to the Baker families.  They were strong members of the Kaiapoi Wesleyan church and supported its work throughout their lives.

Sarah early committed to the preaching and teaching of the church and became a Sunday school teacher and organist at the church. She was always willing to help in whatever way she could.

She married Rev Thomas Joughin, a widower on the 18 October 1902 at Kaiapoi by Rev P W Fairclough who was previously the minister at Kaiapoi, to the great joy of her family and church friends.

They had three children Alfred 1903-1985, Dora 1905-1984, married John E Caughey and Kathleen 1909-1988, married Alan Hawley.

Thomas and Sarah ministered in various Methodist churches around New Zealand. She was his valued and experienced encourager and helper. She was glad to serve, hospitable, a friend to those in sickness or distress, all as an outpouring of her faith.

They retired to Mount Albert in 1923 and continued their ministry in the church there. Sarah was especially interested in the Orphanage and member of the Ladies’ Committee. Their home continued to be a place of hospitality and friendship.

Thomas died on 10 January 1942 at their home at 7 Stillwell Road and Sarah died on Christmas day in the same year. They were each buried at Hillsborough Cemetery after services at Mount Albert Methodist church. They were remembered with detailed obituaries in The New Zealand Methodist Times.

Her Mother M A Wilson (Mary Ann), her Aunt Mrs Thorne (Jane) and grandmother Baker X Mrs (Sarah) also signed the petition, all on Sheet 258

References

NZ BDMs https://www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz

PapersPast: 

Many records of the extended families, from the 1860s onwards, occupations, Community involvement, Church associations, Deaths,

Methodist Church Records:

Rev T A Joughin
The History of Methodism in New Zealand, By Rev Wm Morley DD, 1900 McKee & Co Wellington
Parish of Roxburgh – pages 495-497, including photo of T A Joughin

Obituary: 

Sarah Jane Joughin’s Obituary 
Including references to her parents and grandparents:
https://kinderlibrary.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/5338#idx124546
The New Zealand Methodist Times 6 February 1943, page 11 
And her husband’s obituary:
https://kinderlibrary.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/5236#idx123009
The New Zealand Methodist Times: 24th January 1942, page 15

Her Parent’s Obituaries Mary Ann’s Obituary:
OBITUARY. Lyttelton Times, Volume XCVIII, Issue 11350, 18 August 1897 page 6
Isaac’s OBITUARY. Star, Issue 10430, 9 April 1912 page 2