The Bolton evening news, Thursday, April 14, 1881

The funeral of this deceased gentlemen took place this afternoon, his remains being interred in a new vault in St Michael’s Churchyard, Great Lever. Neither horses, mourning coaches nor carriages were used, the morning procession walking from the deceased’s residence, The Woodlands, Great lever, to the churchyard, during a shower of rain, in the following order:-

A deputation consisting of about 80 teachers, scholars and members of the congregation at Bolton Parish Church and Schools; the Revs. Canon Powell, vicar of Bolton, T Loxham, rector of Great Lever,C Myres, curate, Parish Church Bolton and W Elton M.A., lecturer, Thomas Holden Esq., solicitor to deceased, Dr Mallett medical advisor and Messrs. Thomas Mitchell and James Mercer executors; the corpse; Messrs. John, Albert and Josiah Phethean (sons), John Morris (brother-in-law), William, James and Joseph Phethean (brothers), Joseph and Walter Phethean (nephews), Josiah Phethean (uncle),  Joseph Morris (nephew), Phethean Monks (cousin), Robert Dean (brother-in-law), John Burgon (nephew); Friends:  Messsrs. JosiahTaylor Jr,  Samuel Crowther,  J W Taylor,  Richard Hough , Joseph Thwaites, Edwards, Mapchester, Duxbury and J Barnes. 

Between 200 and 300 workpeople came next, these being headed by Mr David Holstead (Manager of the mill), James Crook, James Speakman, Robert Lomax, T Taylor, and 44 of the eldest hands in the female department, carrying bouquets of white camellias which had been subscribed for by the hands. There was a large concourse of spectators and some hundreds were unable to get in the church which was crammed. Canon Powell lead  the procession into the sacred edifice; the service in the church was conducted by the Revs. W Elton, T Moxon and C Myres, the latter giving out the hymn “Jerusalem my happy home”. This was one of the deceased’s favourite hymns and was sung immediately before leaving the church. The service at the grave was conducted by Canon Powell, after which another hymn “Beloved and honoured fare thee well” was sung  and the mourners returned to The Woodlands.

Note: There were three coffins – a shell, a metal, and an outside polished oak one, the latter being embellished with brass handles and bearing a brass plate on which was the inscription “Josiah Phethean, died April 10th 1881, aged 44 years”