Holman, Robert (1867-1950)

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1922

Early years

Robert was born in 1867 at Gressenhall, Norfolk. Census returns from 1871 and 1881 suggest that Robert was brought up by his grandparents, George and Elizabeth Holman. George worked the land. Robert was identified as a bricklayer’s labourer in the 1881 census return.

Ministry

Robert was a typical Norfolk man. Strongly built, broad-shouldered, practical in his outlook, sturdy in his convictions, and resolute in the work he undertook. He was not easily swayed by emotion, nor daunted by difficulties. He liked to think things over, to weigh up the probabilities, to see where the road would lead and then pursue it to the end.

His preaching was of the practical and evangelical type. There was no soaring flights of fancy, though for words he was never at a loss. Words came to him as readily as water to a spring, but they did not shape themselves into flowery speech or oratorical flights, but into plain, earnest, direct appeals to the heart and conscience of his hearers.

Robert entered into superintendency as soon as his probation was completed. He superintended the building of chapels at Wortham, Bressingham, Brightlingsea, and Harold Bridge.

Robert served as District Temperance Secretary and District Missionary Secretary.

Family

Robert married Mary Charlotte Edwards (1867-1945) in the spring of 1896 at Ipswich, Suffolk. Census returns identify two children.

  • Florence (1897-1988)
  • Evelyn (1897-1998)

Robert died on 23 October 1950 at Kings Heath, Birmingham.

Circuits

  • Hartley
  • 1892 Ipswich
  • 1896 Diss
  • 1900 Colchester
  • 1906 Wisbech
  • 1910 Thetford
  • 1914 Soham
  • 1918 Lynn
  • 1924 Downham
  • 1929 Birmingham (S)

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1922/446

Methodist Minutes 1951/127

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

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