Rumfitt, William (1803 - 1879)

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1864

William was born on 19 November 1803 at Ripon, Yorkshire. He was a cabinet maker and joiner.

Service to PM Connexion

William was converted alongside Moses Lupton at a prayer meeting led by William Clowes in Ripon on 4 March 1820. His family pressed him to join the Wesleyans, but he joined the Primitive Methodists in April 1820. He went to York in 1822, aged 19, already a local preacher. There he joined the society in Grape Lane, which he found ‘in a low and feeble condition’. With Sampson Turner as superintendent, they sorted the situation out. Sharp discipline was required to be applied!

William served the connexion as a Local Preacher and Class leader. He was also a Sunday School teacher, Trustee and Chapel Treasurer. In 1857, William was elected a Deed Poll Member of Conference and attended conference for each of the next 21 years.

Family

William was married to Ann Yewdall (1800-1872) from Snape, Yorkshire. Records identify nine children.

Thomas (1825-1916) – a cabinet maker
Elizabeth (1827-1900) – married Jonathan Calvert, a PM Minister
Yewdall (b1829)
John (1831-1895) – a PM Minister
Ann (1833-1843)
William (b1836)
Eleanor (1838-1900) – married William Winstanley Whitelock, an auctioneer.
William Robert (1841-1930) – a tobacconist, and later a brick manufacturer.
Charles (1843-1929) – a PM Minister until 1883, then transferred to the Anglican ministry.

William died on 4 April 1879 at Ripon at the home of his daughter Elizabeth. He was buried in York.

References

H B Kendall, Origin and History of the PM Church, vol 2, p68-9, p90

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers