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Mary Alott was born at Barksland in the parish of Elland on the 12th of December, 1734.

When she was about three years old her father died and she lived with her mother and her aunt (namely Betty Midgley) who jointly nursed and maintained her till she was about seven. Then her mother being again married her aunt left them took a room and designed to live by herself. But Mary not being at all willing to be left behind often begged her aunt to take her with her, which accordingly in a few weeks after she willingly did, and cared for her as her own.

When she was about nine years old she by the drawing of the Holy Ghost was inclined to hear the Gospel which she of her own free accord begun and continued constantly to do.

Some time after, her aunt had a mind, for the more convenience of hearing the Brethren, to live nearer Smith House. She made it out with the Brethren that Mary should also come and remain with her, which she was very glad of.

In July 1748, they both of them together got leave to live with the Single Sisters’ in Cleck Heaton, and she remained there. In the same Economy at Tyre-sell-Hall till we came in the Choir House (which I shall take notice of afterwards). In the year 1751 on the 5th of April she was received in the Congregation which pleased

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her very much. In 1753 on the 25 of February she, after many a hearty wish and earnest longing for it, was admitted to the Lord’s Supper. In the same year was received from the Great Girls’ to the Single Sisters’ Choir.

She has since about 10 or 11 years old, carried about a very sickly and weakly tabernacle which she bore without complaint. Being of an exceeding still quiet, but also very solid and sensible, she was seldom heard to speak about anything except when spoken to: but however, as we now have found she took good notice of everything and pondered them in her heart.

In February this present year she had the smallpox which not only went very hardly with her but also left that remaining on her which rendered her much more weak and sickly than before a consumption appearing through her whole constitution. It was manifest to all about her she could not hold it out long, tho’ she herself would commonly say when asked about it “that she was pretty well.” Nevertheless, what she inwardly felt also brought her upon the thoughts and consideration of going to our Saviour (as she afterwards, declared with joy).

In July she was a little better but the disorder presently returned more strong than ever. Yet she continued to walk about till the 22nd of November, then she entirely took her to her room and soon after to her bed.

Now she freely acknowledging that she had all this summer last, been in a continual meditation and consultation with her dear Saviour

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about her going to him, having all along been sensible of it for herself that she should not stay here but the reason why she would not confess it openly was because she was afraid she should not go as soon as she wished for.

She was now exceeding bad, but quite brisk in spirits and cheerful in heart and soul. and as before even ever since we have known her she has been used to speak very little, so now to the contrary, spoke a great deal, especially to these with whom she had had an intimate acquaintance and particularly with our dear Sister Mary who very faithfully visited her all the time.

On the 12th instant she had her birthday (being 20 years old), when many Sisters who visited her expressed their hearty wishes for her which she received and answered with much satisfaction. In the afternoon her class made her a very pretty love-feast which rejoiced her exceedingly and in which she spoke of her departure with such pleasure and delight as she never had done before. She spoke with Sister Mary and made out everything that was in her mind about her burial, as well as all the hearty wishes and desires of her heart for her class etc. In short, she said that this had been to her the happiest day she ever had had in all her life. This day and forward she unbosomed and declared what she had (perhaps) kept treasured up in her heart to this opportunity for some years past. She spoke of her various troubles and anxieties, in particular

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circumstances, such as nobody had perceived on her with a cheerful and thankful heart, being bowed with shame before him will whom she had spent many happy moments, days and years.

About the 15th, it being two years since we came in the Choir House, she told Sister Mary everything how she had been and was in Tyre-sell-Hall at that time. What anxiety and concern she felt about coming in the Choir House, fearing least she should not have leave to come and how she had in stillness prayed and wept before her dear Lamb, that he would give her leave to come and that if she should have that favour that he would grant her the feeling and nearness of his wounds that she might be faithful to him therein etc. Nay, tis almost incredible, how quick and active her memory was over this matter; she not only gave Sister Mary an account of herself but of all the Sisters in Tyre-sell-Hall at that time, she (unperceived) had taken notice of everyone, conduct words and behaviour. But to return she also expressed herself in a very lively manner with grace and understanding, how exceedingly she was rejoiced when she was assured she should come here. She at the same time viz’ the 15th or 16th instant spoke with an inly tender feeling about the Choir and Choir grace what she has felt since she was received in the Single Sisters’ Choir and what her dear Bridegroom has done from time to time on her therein, and particularly in this present year, together with the esteem

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and satisfaction she has had for and in the Choir House. This she did from time to time repeat and also she would always take notice of many Sisters whom she saw and reflected on their situation at present and time past and when Sister Mary came to her then she would sell her all her mind about them and especially the concern she had had, about her class under some heavy circumstances some months ago and being asked why she did not speak at such time what she had in her mind? She answered “that she always thought herself too mean and too insignificant to speak her mind about anything,” But she had instead of that, gone somewhere in a corner and wept for them before her dear Saviour and prayed him that he would bless, preserve and keep them and her and that they might all become a joy to Him.

Once in Sister Mary’s presence after having fully spoken and opened all her mind to her about many things, she took notice that her aunt (who faithfully tended and nursed her all the time of sickness) was a crying: So she demanded the reason of her why she wept, telling her she had no occasion to weep for her since “says she” I am fully satisfied and reconciled both with my Lamb and with all my Sisters and have spoke my mind about everything and now am ready to go whenever he pleases.

Thus she continued under a deep sense and speaking of herself and her Choir and often expressing her desire to go. But yet she

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would secretly sometimes say to her aunt that she believed she should live till Christmas, but If our Saviour pleased to take her before, she would be glad.

Sunday last about 11 or 12 in the evening she was seized with the most violent pain. So that Sister Mary who at the same time watched with her perceived such a sensible alteration not only by her excessive pains But also by the motion and alteration of all her faculties that she thought she really would go, and thereupon asked her if she was now quite ready. She with pleasure and serenity answered “yes! I am quite ready now and shall be glad to go to my Lamb as soon as he pleases”

However, she revived a little and then desired 2 verses which she named to be sung for her, viz. “appear as her protector who turns to joy all tears” and “when she shall get permission to leave this mortal tent. From pains and grief’s dismissal thyself just then present” and then says she “sing hush stir not up the friend of Christ, wake not the lovely bride etc.

She was very bad all night and lay like one expiring till towards night on Monday, yet she bore her pains with much more patience anyone could expect who did but see how she was Monday night she was somewhat easier and appeared to as if she might possibly continue a few days, But if she heard anyone take notice of the near approach

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of Christmas and of the joy we expected in the birthday of our Saviour she would readily answer them that if our Saviour only was pleased to let her go to him before or in the holidays she should have a far better Christmas than we and that she would be glad of.

Tuesday night she altered again and on Wednesday morning was much worse. In the forenoon we thought again she would certainly depart, but she continued and lay severely oppressed with the most excessive pangs through every limb and fiber, speaking very little, but panting in stillness for the happy moment when she should get the departing kiss, and when sometimes her tabernacle seemed to be almost racked in pieces with the most shocking and excessive pain as almost could be thought impossible a human creature could bear, she would say, “Ah! how shall I hold it out? why does he not fetch me.” Sister Mary then would remind her of the hard toil and conflict of our Saviour which he bore in his humanity, saying my dear heart it is but a few minutes and you will be with him. She that moment was again in a calm serenity and peace, said O! yes, he soon will fetch me to his embraces, which she obtained under these words, “The Lamb with all his grief and smart/ remains the pleasure of the heart/ long as it moves in thee/ and now when here it beats no more/ there where the spear His side did bore /thou last thy place eternally”
and

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so she sweetly went to sleep in the arms of her lover about 5 o’clock in the evening on Christmas Day.

It is to be observed that this dear heart was the only one Great Girl in all the Economies was one of the first that was received in the Congregation, the only one that came in the Choir House at first. She was the first that was admitted to the sacrament. And now the first that is gone to our Saviour. Where she rests from all her pain: and has left behind her the character of an honest upright unaffected and enamoured virgin heart. She has been known by those who have lived with her from among us her first coming to this her dissolution to be an example of patience of steadfastness and constancy in her love to him who first gave her confidence to believe in his wounds, she never once having been perceived to draw back or to slight her calling in joy or in smart, and now at last her mouth has made a brief confession of Him whom her heart has loved, felt and believed on.