Evans, William (1843-1904)

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Primitive Methodist Magazine 1902

Early years

William was born on 4 July 1843 at Shrewsbury. His parents were not church members, but were of religious disposition and sent their children to Sunday School.

William was converted aged 16 at mission services conducted by Miss Bennett of Chester. He soon became a local preacher.

Ministry

William’s obituary records that he was keenly interested in all the movements which made for the good of the Church, he gave his strength for their advancement in his own circuits, and bent his energies to the local work with the uniform result of circuit prosperity and development. He was shrewd in judgement, careful in detail, methodical in work, and persistent in the outworking of his projects.

Intellectually, he was strong and robust, logic and mental philosophy along with Biblical exegesis, being his favourite studies.

His visits to the homes of his people, especially in times of difficulty and sorrow, were warmly welcomed for their helpfulness and counsel; whilst in him local preachers had a frim friend and guide.

Family

William married Eliza Corfield (18461925) in the summer of 1869 at Shrewsbury, Shropshire. Census returns identify six children.

• Annie Louisa (1870-1949) – married John Edward Dixon, a post office overseer (1911)
• Alice Maude (1871-1954) – married John Henry Hirst, a PM Minister
• Florence Jane (1873-1953) – married Andrew Smith Steel, a green shop keeper (1901)
• Ernest Alfred (1877-1955) – superintendent to Refuge Assurance Co Ltd (1911)
• Lizzie Gertrude (b1879) – a dressmaker (1901)
• Edith Agnes (b1883) – married Charles Crabtree, a PM MInister

William died on 9 August 1904 at Clay Cross, Derbyshire.

Circuits

• 1865 Newark
• 1866 Lincoln
• 1868 Ilkeston
• 1869 Ripley
• 1871 Sheffield I
• 1872 Loughborough
• 1880 Ashby de la Zouch
• 1883 Horncastle
• 1884 Louth
• 1887 Clay Cross
• 1891 Kimberley
• 1895 Chesterfield III
• 1899 Ripley
• 1902 Lichfield
• 1903 Brownhills
• 1904 Lichfield (S)

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1902/481; 1906/826

PM Minutes 1905/14

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers