Postscripts:
(a) Mrs Mary Williams:
(See “Euthanasia” A funeral sermon given by the Revd. Henry Allon preached at Union Chapel Islington
Sunday morning June 27th 1852. Memoire by her son Samuel. (LMS/CWM Archives SOAS)
Mary was the youngest child of Thomas and Mary Chawner of Denson Hill, Cheadle, Staffordshire, born
Sept 29 1795.
Her parents could not afford to give her full education, so she was taken from school at
an early age. Her father had been an heir to extensive estates near Lichfield. To secure
them he was involved in a very tedious lawsuit, which took him down to London. While
in London he met a pious lady, a member of the Whitefield Tabernacle who introduced
him to the preaching of the Revd John Hyatt. At home he spoke to his wife and family
about this experience on many occasions, and longed for a chance to introduce them to
the experience of hearing this preacher. Mrs Chawner was very keen to hear him. Denson
was sold in 1808 and Mr and Mrs Chawner and their two daughters moved to London.
The family fell on hard times and Mr Chawner, broken-hearted moved away from the
family and died shortly afterwards in Wolverhampton.
Mrs Chawner and the 2 girls attended the Tabernacle and heard John Hyatt preach, His
ministry was “as balm to their wounded hearts”. Young Mary heard a lot about the needs
for missionaries and she longed that God would call her to service in a special way. She
met John Williams at the church and her hopes were realised. They were married in 1816.