Nicholas, Maurice (1831-1899)

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1884

Early years

Maurice was born on 20 April 1831 at Bishops Castle, Shropshire to parents John and Martha. He was baptised on 24 April 1831 at Bishops Castle. John was a builder, but lost his eyesight in an accident. He was also a preacher and the young Maurice would accompany him as a guide, give out hymnbooks and read lessons.

Maurice yielded himself to Christ at the age of 18 and immediately began to preach.

Ministry

Maurice spent 40 of his 42 years as an itinerant minister in the Tunstall District.

In 1866 the general Missionary Council asked him to go to Africa to open a mission in Natal. After much prayer he was prepared to go, but the poor health of his wife held him back and he remained in England.

Rev Charles Smallman wrote: “he was earnest, intelligent, energetic, an arousing preacher and a plodding and successful worker in his Master’s Vineyard.”

Family

Maurice married Mary Steel (1834-1875) on 19 September 1860 in the Birmingham Registration District. Census returns identify three children, although Maurice’s obituary records he had four children; three were alive when he died.

  • Maurice John (1863-1933)  – a school teacher at Bourne College (1891)
  • Mary Elizabeth (b1866)
  • William Henry (1874-1953) – a PM minister

Maurice married Mary Whitelegg (d1890) in the spring of 1878 at Nantwich, Cheshire.

Maurice died on 19 February 1899 at Moseley, Worcestershire.

Circuits

  • 1856 Ludlow
  • 1858 Minsterley
  • 1859 Worcester
  • 1861 W Bromwich
  • 1863 Dawley
  • 1866 Ramsor
  • 1869 Cwm
  • 1872 Oakengates
  • 1875 Newcastle under Lyme
  • 1876 Talke
  • 1879 Ramsor
  • 1880 Cheadle
  • 1884 Bilston
  • 1887 Congleton
  • 1888 Coventry
  • 1890 Wallington
  • 1892 Oakengates
  • 1894 Nottingham ll
  • 1895 Newcastle
  • 1897 Birmingham lll

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1877/556 (Mary Steel); 1884 (portrait); 1899/708

PM Minutes 1899/19

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

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