McTYioir of the Rev. R. H. Williamson. 159 



other parishioners, with massive silver candelabra, costing 

 upwards of £100, in a genial and appreciative speech, 

 expressive of their gratitude for his past services, and regret 

 at his departure. 



His departure from Lamesley was occasioned by the decease 

 of his respected father, whom he succeeded in the family living 

 of Hurworth-on-Tees. The most noteworthy occurrence during 

 his residence here — 1865-75— was the re-opening of the parish 

 church on 6th November 1870. After a complete and thorough 

 restoration at the Eeetor's sole expense, costing him no less than 

 £3600, Mr Williamson's indefatigable labours at Lameslej' 

 began to tell upon his health ; and at length, after a long and 

 protracted illness, he came to the conclusion that it would be 

 better for him to resign his living, and relieve himself from the 

 never-ceasing anxieties of a parochial charge. Most opportunely 

 whilst he was in search of a new home, a house belonging to 

 himself at Whickham fell vacant, and hither he repaired to pass 

 the remainder of his days. He had no idea of dropping the 

 clerical character ; but after his health was restored, he was at 

 all times ready to assist in the Sunday services whenever the 

 absence or illness of either the rector or curate rendered help 

 desirable. 



He was an admired preacher, having a fine voice and a good 

 delivery, and his sermons were always well composed, sound, and 

 practical. He spent most of his time in reading and study. He 

 had a valuable library, to which he was continually adding, for 

 he liked to keep au courant with the literature of the period. 

 He was a fair classic, and understood German, French, and 

 Italian. He was an original thinker, and had a most retentive 

 memory. His conversation was alike instructive and enter- 

 taining, interspersed with humorous anecdotes and good stories 

 inimitably told. He was ever kind, generous, and iiospitable ; 

 and was highly esteemed by all who knew him, especially by 

 those who were on terms of friendship and intimacy with him. 

 To the poor of Whickham where he resided, he was a liberal 

 benefactor. A clergyman of one of the eight or nine parishes in 

 the county of Durham, where Mr Williamson owned property, 

 told the writer that he invariably, at the commencement of the 

 year, received a cheque for £25 towards the curate's stii)end ; 

 and there is every reason to believe that this was only a sample 

 of what he did in other places that had a similar claim upon him. 



