Smith, Samuel (1845-1914)
Early years
Samuel was born on 3 January 1845 at Marshchapel, Lincolnshire to parents Thomas and Mary. His father was a farm-bailiff.
The 1861 census shows Samuel as a tailor’s apprentice at North Thoresby, Lincolnshire.
Samuel was converted at the age of seventeen after a sermon preached by Rev Parkinson Milson. About a year later, Samuel was put on the plan. He became a class leader at the age of 20. Samuel removed to Grimsby and joined the church at Victoria St. At that time his motto was recorded as ‘Diligent in business, fervent in spirit, and serving the Lord’.
Samuel was therefore amazed to be asked to become a candidate for the ministry. Very reluctantly he consented, although, when he went for his examination, he hoped he might fail. He spent a year at the Sunderland Institute in training for the ministry. His previous habit of strict economy enabled him to defray the cost of his education there.
Ministry
Samuel’s first station was a Watton, Norfolk, which involved much walking. He records that at the first, he, indeed, knew that he was a travelling preacher!
The Monkgate Church at York was built during his superintendency.
His sermons were noted for soundness of Scriptural truth, cogency in argument, and great moral and spiritual force.
In his obituary, Rev Robert Harrison is quoted as saying; ‘He took large views of men and things, and avowed himself in sympathy with all movements which brought the Kingdom of God nearer to men. His quiet disposition was a great element of his strength. His acquaintance with several branches of knowledge was wide and accurate. Spiritually he was a strong man.’
Family
Samuel married Elizabeth Appleyard (1842-1871) in July 1866 at Chorlton, Lancashire.
Samuel married Harriet Elizabeth Minns (1848-1885) on 3 July 1873. Census returns identify three children.
- George Minns (1874-1892)
- Bertram Samuel (1876-1940) – a printer’s labourer (1901)
- Mabel Gertrude (1880-1969)
Samuel married Fanny Harrison McKee (1859-1960) in early 1886 at Hull, Yorkshire. Census returns identify four of their five children.
- Maud Mildred (1887-1988) – married Albert Samuel M Rowe
- Olive (b1888) – married Wilfred S Allen
- Violet (b1895)
- George (b1901)
Samuel died on 10 August 1914 at Watton, Norfolk.
Circuits
- 1869 Watton
- 1871 Hadleigh
- 1872 Cambridge
- 1873 Bury St Edmunds
- 1874 Lowesoft
- 1875 Yarmouth
- 1879 Norwich
- 1883 Scotter
- 1885 Hull III
- 1888 Hull I
- 1892 Grimsby II
- 1894 Nottingham IV
- 1896 Norwich II
- 1899 York I
- 1903 Hull III
- 1907 Acle
- 1908 Watton (Sup)
References
Primitive Methodist Magazine 1873/438 (Elizabeth); 1886/693 (Harriet); 1898/403; 1915/76
PM Minutes 1915/44
W Leary, Directory of Primitive Methodist Ministers and their Circuits, 1990
Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers
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