Colley, William (1828-1871)

Transcription of Obituary in the Primitive Methodist Magazine

WILLIAM COLLEY was born at Strensall, in the county of York, in the year 1827. In his native village, through the agency of the Primitive Methodists, he was led to forsake his sins, and to trust in the mediation of Christ; ere long he was called to the office of a local preacher. Whilst engaged in this capacity he gave evidence of usefulness, which led to his being called into the work of the regular ministry. In the year 1850 he began this work in the City of London, where he laboured with earnestness and considerable success for fifteen months. He afterwards laboured on the Saffron Walden and Scotter circuits, on both of which he was useful. By the request of the Missionary Committee he sailed for New South Wales in 1855, his first station being Morpeth. In the following year he was appointed by the Conference to open a mission at Goulburn; and in the year 1860 he was sent to open a mission in Queensland. His last station was the Adelaide 2nd Circuit. Towards the end of 1870 his health began to fail, yet he endeavoured to discharge his duties until the close of June, 1871, when he was compelled to cease work. On the 21st September, 1871, he peacefully passed into the spirit world.

J. STUART WAYLAND.

Family

Please open and read the pdf document below, which contains an extended biography of William, researched and prepared by Rosemary Aukett, a great-great granddaughter.

Circuits

• 1850 London I
• 1851 Saffron Walden
• 1853 Scotter
• 1854 Doncaster
• 1855 Morpeth (Aust)
• 1856 Goulburn
• 1860 Morpeth
• 1861 Brisbane
• 1863 Ipswich
• 1864 Auckland (NZ)
• 1867 Newcastle
• 1869 Kooringa
• 1871 Adelaide

References

PM Minutes 1872/7

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

Note: There is a discrepancy between the year of birth in the obituary and that recorded by the family.

He was baptised at Strensall, Yorkshire, on 20 January 1828.