Mitchell, John (1841-1908)

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Primitive Methodist Magazine 1895

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Primitive Methodist Magazine 1909

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Primitive Methodist Magazine 1902

Early years

John was born on 10 September 1841 at Swinefleet, Yorkshire to parents James and Henrietta. Both parents were both Primitive Methodists. James was a class leader and local preacher and earned his living as a tailor.

In 1853 the family moved to Batley, Yorkshire where they found the PM society in a ‘feeble’ state. Through the efforts of James the society was strengthened.

In November 1857, John made his decision for Christ and within a few months was a local preacher. Shortly afterwards he became a hired local preacher in his own circuit. He moved to Otley as a hired local preacher in 1860 before being pledged by the Otley circuit.

Ministry

John spent his first 12 years travelling in his native circuit. In 1872 he moved south on account of his wife’s health. His wife, Ruth, was also a local preacher.

John’s obituary records that as a preacher he was above the average in intellectual strength. He was a lover of good books, and his preaching showed that he read them. A striking characteristic of his preaching was his evangelical fervour and passion. His sermons were earnest and heart searching, he gripped the conscience, laid bare the inner life, and made pointed and powerful appeals to men to accept Jesus Christ as their Saviour, and the result was conversions.

Family

John married Ruth Steward (1836-1901) in July 1865 at Dewsbury, Yorkshire. Census returns identify four children.

• John James (1867-1912) – a physician and surgeon
• Walter S (1868-1957) – a homeopathic chemist
• William (b1872)
• Emily Stuart (b1875)

John died on 7 September 1908 at Egremont, Cheshire.

Circuits

• 1861 Otley
• 1862 Leeds I
• 1863 Silsden
• 1866 York
• 1868 Pateley Bridge
• 1869 Clayton West
• 1871 Burnley
• 1872 Penzance
• 1876 Pilowell
• 1878 Bath
• 1882 Gloucester
• 1885 Horbury
• 1887 Darlaston
• 1888 Swansea
• 1890 Preston I
• 1893 Colnbrook
• 1894 Wrexham
• 1896 Birkenhead (S)

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1895/883; 1902/945 (wife); 1909/408

PM Minutes 1909/19

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

Note: Ruth’s maiden name was spelt Stuart from 1851 onwards.