Dowson, Thomas (1866-1943)

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1920
Primitive Methodist Magazine 1920

Early years

Thomas was born in 1866 at Welton, nr Pickering, Yorkshire to parents Thomas and Jane. Thomas, senior, was a joiner, grocer and was a local preacher.

Thomas was converted when sixteen years of age. A passion for preaching soon developed, but Thomas shrank at first from the frequently expressed call to enter the ministry. He worked as a joiner and coachbuilder before entering the ministry.

Ministry

His obituary records that Thomas was always a fervent evangelist, and many were converted through his preaching. During his retirement it was to him a great trial that, owing to a throat affection, he was seldom able to preach. He was also a faithful and loving pastor.

Thomas served as District Secretary of the Orphan Homes Committee and District Secretary of the Bradford and Halifax District.

Thomas took a lively interest in all that pertained to social welfare, and during his ministry at Pateley Bridge was a member of the Rural District Council, heading the poll in 1919.

Family

Thomas married Sarah Jane Bowes (1869-1952) in the summer of 1895 at Kirby Moorside. Census returns identify two of three children.

  • Evelyn Rhoda (1897-1984) – a French teacher; married James Stanley Gow, a PM Minister, in 1921
  • Irene Mary (1899-1976) – married George Maurice Lumley, a railway clerk, in 1928

Thomas died on 29 April 1943 at Harrogate, Yorkshire.

Circuits

  • 1892 York I
  • 1893 Crowle
  • 1895 Scotter
  • 1898 Barnsley II
  • 1902 Morecambe
  • 1905 Otley
  • 1909 Mirfield
  • 1913 Heckmondwike
  • 1916 Pateley Bridge
  • 1923 Knaresborough
  • 1924 Howden
  • 1928 Pickering (S)

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1920/856

Methodist Minutes 1943/134

W Leary, Directory of Primitive Methodist Ministers and their Circuits, 1990

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

Comments about this page

  • Thomas was born in Wrelton (not Welton)

    By Judith (03/05/2021)

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