Children of John and Sarah Stead

Being left an orphan about 1799, she went as a teacher into the family of William and Esther Stickney, of Ridgmont, in Holderness, where she remained some years. She afterwards filled the same station very usefully in the family of Edward and Rachel Pease, of Darlington.

For several of the latter years of her life, she resided at Sunderland, where her sisters were settled. She was beloved and esteemed as an elder in the Society.

ALICE STEAD, Sunderland.              67    5mo.  13  1846

An Elder.

Our dear friend Alice Stead, was rather suddenly removed from amongst us. On the morning of the day of her death, she left her home to attend the monthly meeting at Newcastle, although she was then suffering under some indisposition. On arriving at the Railway Station, she felt unable to proceed, and therefore returned, under the care of her nephew and niece. During the day, she gradually grew worse, soon became insensible, and in the evening, quietly departed.

She was a Friend of exemplary piety, and unaffected humility, deeply concerned to live in the fear of the Lord, by whom she was endowed with the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit. She was ever ready to promote the good of others, and was especially and warmly interested in the welfare of the religious Society, of which she was a valued member. The following reflections, written not long before her decease, evince the lively and watchful state of her mind, and show that the meditation of her heart was upon that "better country," and eternal inheritance, into which, we fully believe, she was, through redeeming love and mercy, prepared to enter:—

25th 12th month, 1844. "Oh my heavenly Father! I feel that thou lovest me, and that I love thee. Enable me to love thee more—to love thee entirely; and Oh, that thou wouldst be pleased to grant me a clearer evidence of my final acceptance, and that I may be united to thee for ever."

13th of 1st month, 1846. "Much bereaved of nearest connexions, and left solitary; yet looking to my heavenly Father for his all-supporting arm; may this be vouchsafed to the end of my pilgrimage, and conduct me safely to the purchased possession."

16th of 1st month, 1846. "O Lord, my God! Thou seest my solitary sittings. Thou knowest my pensive musings: be pleased to regard the pleadings of my soul for acceptance with thee; and that when these days of trial are passed away, I may be joyfully conveyed to a mansion of rest and peace in thy heavenly kingdom!"

On Sunday morning last, between 4 and 5 o'clock, a fire was discovered in the tallow melting and candle-making house and lofts of Mr Caleb Wilson, in Walton's Lane, Sunderland. The devouring element raged with awful fury for about two hours, when by the prompt exertion of Mr Thomas Cook, fire engine keeper, and the ready and humane assistance of the inhabitants in general, the fire was extinguished, but not until that part of Mr Wilson's extensive warehouses were entirely burnt down, and about half of the stock, &c. therein destroyed. At one time the whole of the premises in the immediate vicinity were in the most imminent danger, and many of the poor inhabitants' lives placed in great jeopardy. We are told, Mr Wilson feels sensible of the kind and unanimous efforts made by the inhabitants to save and protect his property, which is insured in the Phœnix Fire Office, but considerably below its value. We have authority to state, that so soon as the watchmen knew of the fire, the whole number on duty attended and gave every possible assistance in extinguishing it.

[ . . . ] It is uncertain whether the fire was occasioned by accident or the act of an incendiary.

FREEHOLD PREMISES FOR SALE.

TO BE SOLD BY PRIVATE CONTRACT,

A HOUSE, SHOP, and other PREMISES adjoining, situated in the High Street, Foot of Maling's-Rigg, Sunderland. For Particulars, apply to Mr Caleb Wilson, Sunderland.—February 1, 1826.

TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION,

By Mr SMITH,

At the Exchange Buildings, in Sunderland, on Tuesday the 7th day of March next, at 12 o'clock at noon,

(Unless disposed of in the mean time by Private Contract, in which case notice will be given)

IN ONE LOT,

ALL that MESSUAGE or DWELLING-HOUSE and SHOP, situated on the south side of the High Street, in Sunderland, lately occupied by Mr Jackson Nattrass, deceased, and in which the several trades of a Tallow Chandler, Grocer, and Cheesemonger, have been extensively carried on for a series of years. And also all that ERECTION or BUILDING, situated in Hodgkin's Lane, in Sunderland, and communicating with, and a short distance from, the above House and Shop, and now used as a CANDLE MANUFACTORY. And also a STABLE and a SMALL PARCEL of VACANT GROUND adjoining and belonging thereto.

The premises are Freehold, and the Land Tax is redeemed. Possession will be given at May next, or sooner, if required; and a purchaser may be accommodated with the Stock, Fixtures, and Utensils, at a fair valuation.

Further particulars may be known on application to Mr CALEB WILSON, Merchant, or to Mr EDWARD HINDE, Solicitor, Sunderland.

Sunderland, February 16th, 1826.