Harry, Samuel (b1862)

Early years

Samuel was born in 1862 at St Austell, Cornwall to parents Thomas and Mary Ann. Thomas was a tin miner and local preacher.

Before entering the ministry, Samuel worked as a printer.

Samuel’s sister, Claudia, married Rev Isaac Brentnall.

Ministry

There are no biographical sketches of Samuel in the Primitive Methodist Magazine.

Samuel appears to have emigrated to Canada circa 1915. There is a record of Samuel crossing from USA into Canada in 1916, which gives his occupation as clergyman. This implies that Samuel continued to work as a minister in Canada.

Family

Samuel married Sarah Ida Bleathman (b1868) in the summer of 1890 at Chertsey, Surrey. Census returns identify two children.

  • Percy William (1891-1969) – an engineer
  • Gilbert (1893-1931) – emigrated to Australia circa 1914; awarded MC in WW1; a dairy farmer in Australia

Both the 1901 and 1911 census returns suggest that Samuel and his wife were living apart. The 1911 return for Sarah Ida (known as Ida) describes her as a widow and a general nurse. There are four additional children born between 1902 and 1906, which were probably not Samuel’s.

Circuits

  • 1886 Docking
  • 1888 Aylsham
  • 1889 Thetford
  • 1890 Swaffham
  • 1892 Guernsey
  • 1895 Sturminster
  • 1897 Frome
  • 1899 Pilowell
  • 1905 Port Talbot
  • 1907 Nelson, Glamorgan
  • 1910 Kidderminster
  • 1911 Penrith
  • 1913 Sudbury
  • 1915 ceased

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1891/307 (Thomas)

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

 

Comments about this page

  • Hi everyone.
    My name is Debbie Harry-Clarke, I don’t believe i’m a relative of Gilbert Harry’s but a family member did serve as an Administrator of the church and Captain Dick Harry is my GGG Great-Grandfather. The reason for my search is that Gilbert Harry once lived in the town of Millmerran, Queensland, Australia and was a dairy farmer till WW1 started. When he returned to Australia and his farm he built these silos which still stand today and we will celebrate the 100th year of their construction this year. I attach a link to a photo of his silos below. I am in contact with Percy’s Grand-Niece should you wish to contact her. I personally would be interested to know if there is any connection between Gilbert’s family and the Captain Dick Harry family.
    https://scontent.fbne8-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t31.18172-8/19983301_1574378799281635_8991218172004471632_o.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=cdbe9c&_nc_ohc=qy_ZAK6ykwYAX9Z4mf7&_nc_ht=scontent.fbne8-1.fna&oh=00_AT-f90i4H_f9j8fzVTutdBqrXhYy5YghYng-xmaRVA-YMg&oe=61F8B574

    By Debbie Harry-Clarke (04/01/2022)
  • Hi recently found a little more about Samuel appears he continued preaching in Canada

    Drumbo/Richwood circuit. At a July 1915 meeting, Rev. Harry is mentioned and again at the November 1915 meeting. Interesting that at the November meeting it states his Salary will be $650.00, and Horse keep $50.00 🙂 At the February 1916 meeting Rev. S. Harry is mentioned as well as “Invited to continue his good work on this circuit. Carried unanimously.” Rev. S. Harry is minister still at the May 1916 meeting, but by August 1916 there is a new minister.

    Feather Rivers bulletin Quincy California
    https://www.newspapers.com/US/California/Quincy/Feather%20River%20Bulletin_4290 Plumes national bulletin pg 6

    He died in 1919

    California Death Index, 1905-1939
    1 October 1919
    San Francisco, California, United States
    https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK91-LG32

    By Kathy Anstiss (15/08/2020)
  • Samuel who is my second great uncle was involved in a court case whilst in Guernsey He was jailed and by petition to Queen Victoria was pardoned and released.
    It was not until we wondered why his son Gilbert lived with his uncle Rev. Isaac Brentnall that the story was shared!
    This was reported at the time in Guernsey and the Uk – just a few of reports found :

    .THE CROWN v. HARRY. The Rev. Samuel Harry, son of Thomas, of St. Austell, in the County of Cornwall, England, Minister of the Truchot-street Primitive Methodist 05 January 1895 – The Star – Saint Peter Port, Guernsey, Guernsey

    The marriage purgers trial. The Crown vs Harry
    5 February 1895
    St. Peter port guernsey
    Jurat Le Cocq, Lieut. – Bailiff Le Motte presiding. Her Majesty’s Greffier having read the following indictment : The Rev. Samuel Harry, son of Thomas, of St. Austell, in the County of Cornwall, ; England, Minister of the Truchot-street Primitive Methodist 05 February 1895 – The Star – Saint Peter Port, Guernsey, Guernsey

    Minister sent to gaol
    Guernsey
    04 February 1895 – Hull Daily Mail – Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, England

    An accommodating methodist minister
    04 February 1895 – Sheffield Evening Telegraph – Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England

    Marrying a niece
    04 February 1895 – Nottingham Evening Post – Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England
    Also
    04 February 1895 – Yorkshire Evening Post – Leeds, West Yorkshire, England

    The marriage purgers trial. The Crown vs Harry
    05 February 1895 – The Star – Saint Peter Port, Guernsey, Guernsey

    Methodist minister imprisoned
    06 February 1895 – Taunton Courier, and Western Advertiser – Taunton, Somerset

    A mistake
    07 February 1895 – Royal Cornwall Gazette – Truro, Cornwall, England

    Marrying a niece
    09 February 1895 – Hampshire Telegraph – Portsmouth, Hampshire, England

    Praying for release of Samuel.
    22 February 1895 – Northampton Mercury – Northampton, Northamptonshire

    Release from gaol
    28 February 1895 – The Star – Saint Peter Port, Guernsey, Guernsey

    By Kathy Anstiss (14/03/2019)
  • First pastor to serve at Ormiston methodist church.
    1914
    Ormiston saskatchewan canada
    Ormiston Methodist Church The first pastor to serve Ormiston was a Methodist student minister by the name of Samuel Harry in 1914. In the early years the church and especially Sunday School were interdenominational. These were sometimes conducted by parents and other members of the district. In 1925 the Ormiston Methodist Church joined the Church Union and became the Crane Valley United Church. The church services were held in the Ormiston Community Hall during the summer months when no heating was required and in homes of the faithful during the winter. After 1942 there were no further United Church services. But, during this time, however, many gifted Christian leaders of various Alliance Churches, from Assiniboia, Caronport, Moose Jaw, Regina, etc. came to give the Gospel message. Museum Photo courtesy of rex harry http://www.virtualmuseum.ca/sgc-cms/histoires_de_chez_nous-community_memories/pm_v2.php?id=story_line&lg=English&fl=0&ex=570&sl=4547&pos=1&pf=1
    Item no 66

    By Kathy Anstiss (14/03/2019)
  • 1915-1916 Samuel in Drumbo
    Courtesy of Linda Baker Museum worker DDHS Drumbo
    Drumbo/Richwood circuit. At a July 1915 meeting, Rev. Harry is mentioned and again at the November 1915 meeting. Interesting that at the November meeting it states his Salary will be $650.00, and Horse keep $50.00 🙂 At the February 1916 meeting Rev. S. Harry is mentioned as well as “Invited to continue his good work on this circuit. Carried unanimously.” Rev. S. Harry is minister still at the May 1916 meeting, but by August 1916 there is a new minister.

    By Kathy Anstiss (14/03/2019)
  • Provincial missions. The ministers stations 1905-6 Samuel at Aberavon
    The Primitive Methodist Leader. 1905 Jun 29;(New series 3, old series 1927):49-72.
    Aberavon

    By Kathy Anstiss (14/03/2019)
  • I’m a cousin of Samuel, my mother left me a photograph of him aged about 15, (1877) my daughter could well have passed for being his sister, as they have similar facial features, I too have done some research on Samuel and will gather up my material in the next few months. Mother said Samuel was a gifted orator.

    By Lionel F S Clarke (11/08/2016)

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