Hurd, James (1809-1892)

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1854
Copy provided by Steven Carter

Early years

James was born on 22 February 1809 at Frome, Somerset to parents Jacob and Elizabeth. He was baptised on 6 November 1814 at Zion Independent Chapel, Frome. James was converted in 1825.

Ministry

James was engaged in missionary activities at Marlborough, Wiltshire, in 1832/3 for the Shefford circuit. Other preachers active in the circuit included Thomas Russell and William Wiltshire. Membership of the Shefford circuit was reported as 1,010 in March 1833, an increase of 300 on the previous year.

In the period 1834/5, the Burland circuit sent James on missionary work to Northampton. He succeeded in forming a few societies in the villages around Northampton.

His obituary records that in total there was an increase of 2423 on his stations during his itinerant ministry.

In retirement, ‘he gave good counsel, prayed very earnestly, and freely helped the poor and needy in their difficulties.’ Rev W Marwood is quoted as saying; ‘He was the best family visitor he ever knew.’

Family

James married Sarah Humin (1806-1870). Census returns identify one child.

James died on 27 August 1892 at Ripley, Derbyshire.

Circuits

  • 1830 Brinkworth
  • 1832 Shefford
  • 1833 Macclesfield
  • 1834 Burland
  • 1837 Cwm
  • 1839 Presteign
  • 1840 Welton
  • 1841 Chesterfield
  • 1843 Barnsley
  • 1845 Belper
  • 1847 Burton on Trent
  • 1849 Lincoln
  • 1851 Nottingham S
  • 1852 Bottesford
  • 1854 Leicester ll
  • 1856 Melton Mowbray
  • 1858 Winster
  • 1860 Wirksworth
  • 1863 Ripley
  • 1865 Horncastle
  • 1866 London ll
  • 1868 Maidenhead
  • 1870 London lll
  • 1873 London lV
  • 1875 Bedford
  • 1876 Whitney (Sup)
  • 1877 Ripley

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1894/308

The Primitive Methodist 1892/595

PM Minutes 1893/13

H B Kendall, Origin and History of the PM Church, vol 1, p345

J Petty, The History of the Primitive Methodist Connexion, 1880, p285, p375

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

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