Kench, Thomas (1832-1897)

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1886

Early years

Thomas was born on 26 September 1832 at Little Tew, nr Banbury, Oxfordshire to parents Kendrick Kench and Kezia Mullington. Kendrick was a carter and Primitive Methodist local preacher.

In 1851 Thomas is working for the Westell brothers, solicitors in Witney.

Thomas became a local preacher in 1855.

Ministry

On the Motcombe circuit, the Hindon Society had almost become extinct when Thomas went to reside there in 1862. A gracious revival broke out and a strong and vigorous society was soon at work.

His obituary records that Thomas was hopeful and joyous in nature, he was deeply pious and had unbounded confidence in God. His piety was of a quite character, but was healthy, vigorous and manly, growing with his growth and expanding with his improvement in knowledge and advancement in years.

His discourses were instructive, evangelical, practical and edifying, acting most effectively on the understanding and conscience of the hearers.

Thomas was District Building Committee Secretary for five years. His business ability was of a high order. In the superintendency of his circuits he was sound in judgement, wise in counsel, conciliatory in spirit and pure of intention.

Family

Thomas married Mercy Herman (1842-1912) on 17 December 1863 at Wantage, Berkshire. Census returns identify four children.

  • Thomas Herman (1859-1893) – a printer
  • Mercy Annie (1867-1909) – a Post Office sorting clerk and telegraphist
  • Minnie (1872-1967) – a teacher of music
  • Mabel (b1875) – married Richard Bishop Davis, a district reliefman (1911)

Thomas died on 5 October 1897 at Wooton Bassett, Wiltshire.

Circuits

  • 1857 Preston
  • 1858 not shown
  • 1860 Faringdon
  • 1861 Motcombe
  • 1865 Brinkworth
  • 1866 Highworth
  • 1869 Aylesbury
  • 1872 Andover
  • 1876 Basingstoke
  • 1880 Wallingford
  • 1885 Hungerford
  • 1889 Aberdare
  • 1892 Oxford
  • 1895 Brinkworth

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1886 (portrait); 1900/308

PM Minutes 1898/13

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

Kench Family tree on Ancestry.com

 

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