Biographies of people buried between 1890 & 99
Samuel Gill (1817 - 1895)
Samuel Gill had a Chemist shop on Broad Street, Pendleton for nearly 60 years. He also had a great interest in church work and local politics.
He was born in Hinckley, Leicestershire in 1817 and came to Pendleton at an early age. He was the son of the Reverend Joseph Gill, Pastor of the Congregational Church at Egerton, near Bolton. Samuel was educated at Leaf Square Academy under Dr. John Clunie, (Principal of Leaf Square and Seedley Grove Academies 1812 to 1837). His father wanted Samuel to be a doctor and placed him under Dr Blackburn of Liverpool. After some years he had to return to Pendleton to take over the business of his brother as a Chemist and Druggist in Broad Street and there he stayed.
In 1848, Samuel married Sarah Buck by Registrar in Salford. Sarah was born in Mitchum, Surrey in 1905 and was 11 year older than Samuel. They had a son Joseph William (born 1850 in Pendleton) who married Eliza Mary Fletcher Prince in 1872. (Eliza was born in Wigan in 1849). Joseph William took over the active management of the Chemist shop to allow Samuel to pursue his municipal and local affairs. There was also a daughter, Mary E, who married Frederick Carter in 1865. In 1881 Samuel and Sarah were living at 35, West High Street, Salford.
Samuel always took a great interest in the local affairs of the borough. He was a staunch Liberal, an active worker for the repeal of the Corn Laws, a supporter of the Liberation Society and had a strong desire to see justice done in Ireland. However, his main interest was doing the work of God. His early days were spent with the New Windsor Congregational Church and Sunday school as a teacher and Deacon. In 1844 he joined Hope Chapel on Liverpool Street under its first pastor Rev J.L. Poole and filled many important offices, finishing as Senior Deacon. He particularly enjoyed his role as teacher to the Young Men's Class which reached 70 in number. As a visitor of the sick he had few equals. After a very short illness, Samuel died on 3rd September 1895, aged 78 years.
The funeral took place on Saturday 7th September. An intimate service, conducted by Rev J. Neil, Pastor of Hope Chapel, was held at Samuel's home, Brunswick Terrace, Pendleton. Sarah had the support of her sister Mrs Popplewell. A hearse and 6 carriages made its way to Weaste Cemetery where over 300 mourners had gathered. The service at the graveside in plot A4 was conducted by Rev F Carter (son-in-law).
