Priestley, Charles (1831-1903)

zoom

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1884

Early years

Charles was born on 28 January 1831 at Barrow on Soar, Leicestershire to parents John and Sarah. John was a collar and harnessmaker. In 1851 Charles was working as a harnessmaker’s apprentice.

Charles was converted in 1850 after a lovefeast held in the Primitive Methodist Chapel at Barrow on Soar. He became an assistant class leader in 1852 and in 1853 was put on the plan. It was not thought necessary to consult Charles concerning being put on the plan!

Ministry

Charles first station was Durham where he was one of four ministers. It took 8 weeks to ‘go round’ the circuit.

Charles obituary records that on all his crcuits he laboured in characteristic fashion. He put ‘more into’ his days than most men and doubtless was proportionately happy with his ‘return’.

After superannuation, Charles gave his time to Nottingham Rd Church in Mansfield, working especially with the Young Men’s Class.

Family

Charles married Eleanor Lister Turnbull (1832-1863) in late 1861 in the Chester le Street Registration District. Eleanor’s father was a gardener and Primitive Methodist preacher. Census returns identify one child.

• John (b1863) – a timber merchant’s clerk (1903)

Charles Married Lavinia Ellen Rouse (1836-1916) in early 1867 at Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. Lavinia was the daughter of Joshua Rouse. Census returns identify four children.

• Charles Joshua (1869-1950) – a clerk
• Sarah Anne (1871-1936) – married Charles Pettler, a PM Minister
• Arthur (b1873) – a clerk (1901)
• Joseph Frederick (b1874)

Charles died on 29 January 1903 at Mansfield, Nottinghamshire.

Circuits

• 1855 Durham
• 1856 Brompton
• 1858 Whitby
• 1860 N Shields
• 1862 Blyth
• 1864 Barnard Castle
• 1866 Allendale
• 1868 Wigton
• 1870 St Helens Auckland
• 1872 Bolsover
• 1875 Mansfield
• 1879 Winster
• 1883 Northampton
• 1884 Buckingham
• 1887 Wirksworth
• 1890 Fakenham
• 1893 Diss
• 1896 Mansfield (S)

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1864/506 (Eleanor);1884 (portrait)

PM Minutes 1903/29

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers