Burton, James (1859-1940)
Early years
James was born in 1859 at Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire to parents Thomas and Edith. Thomas worked as a grocer. On his father’s side, James was a fourth generation Primitive Methodist.
James worked as a railway clerk before entering the ministry.
Ministry
In his early ministerial years, a serious breakdown of health necessitated frequent change of circuits. James then spent four years at Bloxwich and Cannock where he missioned a village and built a church. James was then stationed at Torquay, and to use his own words, James ‘lost his physical weakness,’ and was able to proceed in the work in good health.
Whilst at Torquay, the circuit membership rose from 141 to 264 over seven years. At Matlock James built three new churches.
As a preacher James was always attractive, convincing, and spiritually uplifting. His language was well-chosen and chaste, and his pulpit style most effective.
James twice held the position of district Sunday School Secretary and was a member of the Probationers’ Examining Committee for over twenty years. For a number of years, James was the Connexional Teachers’ Examination Secretary.
His obituary records that he brought to his work a diligent, discriminating mind and a sympathetic disposition.
Family
James married Emily Barnett (1853-1943) in the summer of 1889 at Ellastone, Staffordshire. Census returns identify two children.
- James Barnett (1890-1974) – a bank clerk
- Edith Emily (1892-1985)
James died on 4 February 1940 at Fleetwood, Lancashire.
Circuits
- Hartley
- 1884 North Cave
- 1887 Hornsea
- 1888 Pontypridd
- 1889 Wolverhampton
- 1890 Bloxwich
- 1894 Torquay
- 1901 Matlock
- 1909 Liverpool III
- 1913 Fleetwood
- 1924 Fleetwood (S)
References
Primitive Methodist Magazine 1916/792
Methodist Minutes 1940/175
W Leary, Directory of Primitive Methodist Ministers and their Circuits, 1990
Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers
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