Brown, Nathaniel (1867-1930)
Early years
Nathaniel was born on 20 December 1867 at Fishponds, Stapleton, Gloucestershire, to parents Robert and Jane. Robert was a mason’s labourer at the time of the 1871 census and later a rural letter carrier.
Nathaniel joined the Fishponds Church in Bristol in his early teens. For a number of years he served the Sunday school in various capacities and later became a local preacher.
Nathaniel spent twelve months as a hired local preacher on the St Austell circuit before being accepted into ministry by the 1891 Conference.
Ministry
Whilst at Blackburn II circuit, no less than two thousand three hundred and fifty pounds were paid of the debt, and the two churches constituting the circuit were left debtless.
His obituary records that Nathaniel was eminently a Circuit Minister, an all round Minister, efficient as a preacher, capable as an administrator, diligent as a pastor, and withal a good man. His preaching was practical, full of vitality, and calculated to build up his hearers in the Christian faith.
Nathaniel was an able exponent of Christian Endeavour principles, and aided young men in their preparation for the Plan, i.e. in their training to become local preachers. To those setting out in life he was a wise counsellor.
Family
Nathaniel married Florence Wheeler (b abt1867) in the summer of 1895 at Liverpool, Lancashire. Census returns identify four children, all of whom developed to become local preachers.
- Wilfrid Wheeler (1896-1961)
- Gladys Irene (b1897)
- Doris Enid (b1902) – worked as a missionary in Rhodesia
- Gerald Clifford (1907-1951)
Nathaniel died on 21 June 1930 at Kiveton Park, nr Sheffield, Yorkshire.
Circuits
- 1891 W Bergholt
- 1892 Colchester
- 1894 Lowestoft
- 1895 E Dereham
- 1899 Acle
- 1904 Gainsborough
- 1907 Keighley
- 1912 Blackburn II
- 1919 Heckmondwike
- 1923 Scunthorpe
- 1927 Kiveton Park
References
Primitive Methodist Magazine 1920/520; 1930/619
PM Minutes 1931/287
W Leary, Directory of Primitive Methodist Ministers and their Circuits, 1990
Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers
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