Finch, Charles (1842-1906)

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Primitive Methodist Magazine 1901

Early years

Charles was born in 1842 at Kidderminster, Worcestershire to parents Daniel Finch and Sarah Finn. Daniel was a carpet weaver.

Charles started to attend Sunday school at the age of nine. He had a conversion experience when he was sixteen, and developed into a local preacher in the West Bromwich circuit. He owed much of his development to Rev Joseph Hutchings, who took Charles with him to appointments, requesting him to give out the hymns, read lessons and engage in prayer.

The 1861 census identified Charles as a puddler in West Bromwich.

Ministry

Charles was described as an earnest, able and unpretentious circuit preacher. When he entered the ministry he came to the work with a high ideal, a modest estimate of his own powers and a great trust in God.

Charles was a sound Gospel preacher, a good family visitor, a trustworthy friend and counsellor, a capable circuit financier and an apt businessman.

Family

Charles married Ann Leighton (1851-1927) in late 1870 at Macclesfield, Cheshire. Census returns identify five children.

• Annie Maria (1871-1912) – married Frank William Woodhall, a Post Office sorting clerk and telegraphist
• James William (1872-1907) – a warehouseman (1901); died in Port Staley, Falkland Islands
• Charles Albert (1874-1907) – a seaman; also died on Falkland Islands
• Arthur Leighton (1877-1942) – a head teacher (1911)
• George Edgar (b1881) – an iron-founder’s pattern maker

Charles died on 23 January 1906 at Congleton, Cheshire.

Circuits

• 1865 Hanley
• 1867 Macclesfield
• 1869 Stratford
• 1870 Wrockwardinewood
• 1873 Church Stretton
• 1876 Hay
• 1879 Wolverhampton
• 1881 Newton & Hyde
• 1884 Blackburn II
• 1888 Preston Brook
• 1893 Douglas
• 1896 Warrington
• 1902 Congleton

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1901/242

PM Minutes 1906/13

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers