Nickels, Thomas (1827-1906)

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Primitive Methodist Magazine 1882

Early years

Thomas was born on 23 January 1827 at Billinghay, Lincolnshire. His parents attended the Church of England services.

Thomas was converted, aged 24, in a class meeting led by Mr John Parker. He soon became a local preacher and was called to ministry by the Donington circuit some three years later.

Ministry

His obituary records that being a great lover of books, he was a diligent student; he kept in close touch with the thought of the day. His sermons, which were carefully prepared, were of the evangelical type and strictly orthodox. He placed high value upon the class meeting and the prayer meeting.

Possessing a strong physique and a good voice, he engaged a great deal in open-air and mission work.

Family

Thomas married Eliza Fox (1836-1906) on 6 October 1859 at Boston Lincolnshire. Eliza was a local preacher and class leader. Census returns identify eight children.

• John Thomas (1860-1898) – a music teacher
• Henry (1862-1889)
• Elizabeth Ann (b1863) – married William Gilbert, a clerk
• William Fox (1866-1949) – manager of pottery – sanitary
• Annie (1868-1943) – a dressmaker
• Arthur Ernest (1869-1941)
• Charles Edwin (1873-1943) – a colliery clerk (1911)
• Albert Edward (1876-1893) – a draper’s apprentice
• Harold Fox (1878-1905)

Thomas died on 27 December 1906 at Burton on Trent, Staffordshire.

Circuits

• 1854 Donington
• 1855 Spalding
• 1856 Horncastle
• 1857 Boston
• 1858 Wainfleet
• 1860 Loughborough
• 1862 Lincoln ll
• 1864 Clay Cross
• 1866 Eakring
• 1868 Leicester l
• 1871 Chesterfield
• 1874 Church Gresley
• 1877 Donington
• 1879 Spalding
• 1881 Hoyland
• 1883 Baldock
• 1886 Bottesford
• 1887 Spilsby
• 1889 Melton Mowbray (S)
• 1897 Coalville

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1882 (portrait)

PM Minutes 1907/30

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers