Davison, Matthew Pattinson (1853-1922)

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1921
Primitive Methodist Magazine 1921
Primitive Methodist Magazine 1921
Primitive Methodist Magazine 1921
Primitive Methodist Magazine 1921

Early years

Matthew was born on 5 March 1853 at Dean Raw, Haydon Bridge,  Northumberland, to parents James Davison and Margaret Pattinson. James was a farmer, estate agent, schoolmaster and local preacher.

Matthew grew up in a home where travelling preachers and temperance advocates gathered, and high debate was held on social and political movements, and upon the progress of the work of God in circuit, district and Connexion.

After completing his schooling, Matthew became a junior reporter on the staff of the Hexham Courant. He had a brief experience as a hired local preacher before attending the Sunderland Theological Institute.

Ministry

All his earlier years of ministerial service were given to the North of England, where he won for himself a high place as a fervent evangelist, an able preacher, and an efficient organiser and administrator.

With his journalistic training, and his great skill as a stenographer, Matthew soon found his way as a reporter on the staff of Primitive Methodist World, and he became a regular contributor to the Connexional Magazines.

During the years of WW1, Matthew discharged the onerous duties of Connexional Secretary. He was elected President of Conference in 1920.

Family

Matthew married Margaret Eleanor Johnson (1857-1933) in the summer of 1881 at Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland. Census returns identify five children.

  • James (b abt1883) – a farmer (1933)
  • Thomas Alwin (b1883) – a solicitor
  • Eleanor Bell (1887-1961)
  • Richard Elmer (1891-1916) – a solicitor’s clerk (1911); died in WW1
  • Hugh Allan (1892-1972) – merchant’s clerk (1911); later a PM Minister

Matthew died on 12 February 1922 at Haydon Bridge, Northumberland.

Circuits

  • Sunderland
  • 1875 Newcastle
  • 1879 Whitehaven
  • 1882 Crook
  • 1886 Durham
  • 1890 Newcastle I
  • 1892 Newcastle III
  • 1894 Carlisle
  • 1898 Leeds VII
  • 1901 Leeds I
  • 1906 Stockton
  • 1911 Hexham
  • 1914 London Gen Sec
  • 1919 Clapham
  • 1921 Hexham (Sup)

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1921/2; 1922/351

PM Minutes 1922/252

R Newman Wycherley, The Pageantry of Methodist Union, 1932, p208

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

 

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