Jackson, James (1835-1907)

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1898
Primitive Methodist Magazine 1908

Early years

James was born on 4 March 1835 at Lymm, Cheshire. He was the eleventh child of parents Peter Jackson and Eleanor Goulden. James was baptised on 29 March 1835 at Lymm. Peter was a farmer.

James’ parents were able to provide a good education; elementary school followed by an academy in Manchester. On leaving school, James obtained a position in a commercial enterprise in Manchester.

Whilst in Manchester, James began to attend services at Rosamund St Chapel. It was there he gave his heart to God at a prayer meeting. He became a local preacher at 16 and aged 18 entered the ministry.

James older brother, Charles, was also a PM Minister.

Ministry

James first circuit, Middleham in the Yorkshire Dales, measured 60 miles from end to end. The distances travelled in all weathers must have been challenging!

James had a magnificent voice, a logical mind, and with his logical ability was combined a distinctly brilliant imagination.

As a chairman, James was the master of all the rules of procedure, and whilst kind and courteous, could always maintain his command over the assembly over which he had been called to preside.

In the period 1875-1883 James was laid aside through an affection of the throat causing a total loss of voice.

James was Treasurer of the Itinerant Preachers Friendly Society. At the conference in Liverpool in 1888, he was appointed Journal Secretary.

James was President of Conference in 1897 at Manchester.

Family

James married Eleanor Dodd (1833-1913) on 9 July 1858 at Sedburgh, Yorkshire. Census returns identify three children.

  • James Dodd  (1861-1918) – a PM Minister
  • Eleanor Isabella Dodd (1863-1871)
  • Laura Louisa (1875-1913) – married George Peacock, a butcher

James died on 31 December 1907 at Kirby Stephen, Westmorland.

Circuits

  • 1854 Middleham
  • 1855 Stokesley
  • 1857 Durham
  • 1858 Newcastle
  • 1860 Kendal
  • 1861 Darlington
  • 1864 Blyth
  • 1865 Haltwhistle
  • 1868 Durham
  • 1870 Stockton
  • 1875 Stockton (Sup)
  • 1880 Brough
  • 1883 Lymm (Ac)
  • 1884 Liverpool III
  • 1888 Fleetwood
  • 1891 Clitheroe
  • 1894 Newcastle II
  • 1896 Barnard Castle
  • 1899 Barnard Castle (Sup)

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1898/3; 1908/314

PM Minutes 1908/14

H B Kendall, Origin and History of the PM Church, vol 2, p454

Proceedings of Wesley History Society 38/10

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

Downloads

Transcription of an article in the Christian Messenger 1913.
Transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine 1908.

Comments about this page

  • This page was modified on 27 November 2015 to add a transcription of an article in the Christian Messenger 1913.

    By Geoff Dickinson (27/11/2015)

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