Mexborough and Swinton Times August 18, 1939

Octogenarian’s Birthday.

An aunt of Mr. Tom Williams, M.P. for Don Valley, Mrs. Annie Elisabeth Williams, on Tuesday celebrated her 87th birthday at the home of her daughter, Mrs. J. Hartley. 2, Brookfield Avenue, Swinton.

Her three surviving daughters out of a family of six children were present, along with her 75- year-old sister-in-law. Mrs. J. Sellars, and a birthday cake iced by a friend, Mrs. Stanley, bore the inscription “87 still going strong.”

Mrs. Williams, who was one of 4 family of twelve, came from Sheffield to Kilnhurst at the age of nine, shortly before the Sheffield flood, which catastrophe she remembers vividly. She saw human bodies, livestock, and other articles floating down the swollen river, but when one of the bodies was recovered before her eyes she ran home to seek refuge in the house alone, for her parents had journeyed to Sheffield to ascertain that their relatives were unharmed.

As a girl Mrs. Williams joined the enthusiastic Kilnhurst Primitive Methodist group, who met at that time in the clubroom of the Ship Inn. Later they moved to the Co-operative Hall, before establishing a church of their own. She is still a member of the church and attends on special occasions .

Until she moved to her daughter’s house recently she had always remained at Kilnhurst. Another of her nephews is the Rev. E. Sellars. Methodist superintendent minister at Mansfield. Mrs. Williams enjoys good health.