Edgar, James MD (1824-1886)

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1875

James was born in Canada of Irish parents.

Ministry

Antliff writes; ‘ The Rev. James Edgar, M.D., in the early years of his ministry, which commenced in 1848, was a mighty preacher at camp-meetings. He was a man of refined tastes and gentle disposition. After his superannuation he practised as a physician in Toronto, and was a blessing in the homes of many, especially the poor, to whom he became “the beloved physician.”’

Kendall describes James as ‘a man nearly all soul and sympathy’. He superannuated in 1880.

Family

James married Mary Jane Baker (1833-1917). Census returns identify six children.

  • Robert Wilson (1856-1880) – printer; emigrated to Australia
  • Ida Anna (1858-1934) – married Solomon Cleaver, a Methodist Minister
  • Estella (b1863)
  • Emma (b1865) – married William Henry Baker, a traveller in dry goods (1911)
  • Albert (b1866) – a physician
  • Eva (1869-1937) – married George Sherlock Faircloth, a Methodist Minister

James died on 28 April 1886 at Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Circuits

  • 1847 Brampton (6 mths) – Canada
  • 1847 Etobicoke (6 mths)
  • 1848 Etobicoke (6 mths)
  • 1848 Brampton (6 mths)
  • 1849 Toronto (6 mths)
  • 1849 Etobicoke (6 mths)
  • 1850 Etobicoke (6 mths)
  • 1850 Markham (6 mths)
  • 1851 Toronto
  • 1852 Kingston
  • 1854 Darlington
  • 1856 Etobicoke
  • 1857 Toronto
  • 1861 Portland
  • 1864 Brampton
  • 1867 Toronto
  • 1868 Scarborough
  • 1871 Yorkville
  • 1872 Toronto ll
  • 1876 Toronto lV
  • 1878 Toronto lll
  • 1879 Toronto lV
  • 1880 disappears

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1875 (portrait)

H B Kendall, Origin and History of the PM Church, vol2, p451

J. Cooper Antliff, Centennial of Canadian Methodism – Historical Sketch of the Primitive Methodist Church in Canada

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

Davis Family Tree on Ancestry.com

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