Whittaker, John Williamson (1868-1930)

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1923
Primitive Methodist Magazine 1923

Early years

John was born in 1868 at Sandbach, Cheshire, to parents Henry and Elizabeth. Henry, a shopman in the boot and shoe trade, was also a local preacher.

John was intended for the scholastic profession. The call of the Church was not hastily responded to, but eventually the voice within prevailed, and he was constrained to become a minister of Jesus Christ.

Ministry

John was always keenly interested in the Christian Endeavour Movement. He contributed to its literature, and for a period represented the East Anglian Territory in the British C.E. Council.

Realising the value and importance of education for rural England, John was a leader and sufferer in the Passive Resistance campaign. He was deeply interested in the social and political life of the people, and rendered effective service on the Parish Council.

His preaching was expository and practical. A good voice, a winsome personality, and a cultured mind, made him a forceful and effective preacher.

Family

John married Edith Merrington Smith (1871-1944) in the spring of 1897 at Lowesoft, Suffolk.

John died on 17 May 1930 at Lowestoft, Suffolk.

Circuits

  • Hartley
  • 1893 Lowestoft
  • 1894 Wymondham
  • 1895 Lowestoft
  • 1896 Beccles
  • 1897 Swaffham
  • 1900 St Ives, Hunts
  • 1903 Thetford
  • 1906 Bedford
  • 1908 Cambridge
  • 1910 Downham
  • 1915 Alsager
  • 1918 Loddon
  • 1924 Ely
  • 1927 Brandon
  • 1929 Lowestoft (S)

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1923/180; 1931/61

PM Minutes 1930/310

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

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