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John T. married Martha Inman of Belmont. This union produced eight children, William I (died in infancy), Fanny, Mark, Grace, Oliver, William II, Herbert, and Harry.
Much of what is known aboutJohn T.’s life is derived from his diaries which are treasured by family members. Family was important to John T; he enjoyed working with his chil- dren and offering them assistance.
July, Tuesday 15th, flne will and johns yeo taking in hay.
July 28, fine and brite. Will cutting hay
Also: this is Friday 17 ueryfine day Oliver went to Sside with pork ...this is wensday 22 fine and cold Will is going to Sside withfowl and eggs...
And onJanuary 30, 1922: We cleaned Wills wheat.
John Best’s love of God and his commitment to the orga- nized church was expressed in many diary references.
In 1916: August 27 Sunday fine, Mr Janson preached Mr. McCoy prayed. Also 1921: this is Sunday 4, I was at the Baptist church text the viper on Pauls hand Acts 28:3.
The next Sunday: this is Sunday 11, I was at preaching twice today and on the 13th: preaching last night and also tonight.
For many years John T. was the trustee representative for St. James Methodist on the Bideford Circuit. His name appeared numerous times in the Circuit minutes.
In their later years,John and Martha lived in part of their son Will’s house. It was within these walls that Mr. Best wrote his diaries. On March 29, 1923, Mr. John Thomas Best died at home among family and in the community in which he lived and served with dedication. Martha predeceased him on January 17, 1919.
In 1981, his great—great—granddaughter Catherine Clark wrote:
Although he passed away he left behind him a wealth of
information pertaining to his family and his lifestyle.
Being born in 1840 his education was very limited and
although his scripts contain a few spelling mistakes his
ability to write down his daily accounts, may in itself, be considered a small feat. Thanks to these writings, his memory lives on. We are able to paint a vivid picture of
LOT 16 UNITED CHURCH AND ITS PEOPLE