Young, James (1834-1914)

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1887
Primitive Methodist Magazine 1914

Early years

James was born on 10 January 1834 at Widcombe, Bath, Somerset.

James trained for a career in commerce and by the age of 20 he had the promise of worldly prosperity.

James attended Church of England services. He was induced to attend Primitive Methodist services held in a carpenter’s loft in Bath. He was converted through a sermon preached by Rev T Hobson. James joined the Primitive Methodist church and was soon a Sunday School teacher. He had one class in Sunday School and every scholar was converted. Afterwards they became a class within the society with James as the class leader. James was also responsible for a mission band that resulted in five local preachers, two Church of England curates and one PM minister. James became a local preacher in 1850.

Ministry

During James probation in the Baldock station, a remarkable revival took place, chiefly around Biggleswade where James resided. This lasted some two years and led many hundreds to Jesus Christ.

Whilst in Ireland, James found himself in the zone of conflicts between Catholic and Protestant more than once. In a Belfast riot, he narrowly escaped death.

In Dublin, he was able to build a church from nothing despite being unable to preach in the open-air and under restrictions regarding door-to-door visitation.

James was elected a Deed Poll member of Conference in 1912.

Family

James married Charlotte Phillips (1837-1902) in the summer of 1862 at Biggleswade, Bedfordshire. Census returns identify five children.

  • Walter Henry (1864-1949) – a school teacher
  • James (b abt 1867)
  • Charles Phillips (1870-1955) – an engineers clerk (1911)
  • Alfred W (b abt 1873)
  • Frederick George (b1876) – assisting Control Office Admiralty (1911)

James died on 21 July 1914 at Whitley Bay, Northumberland.

Circuits

  • 1858 St Albans
  • 1859 Baldock
  • 1861 Ashford
  • 1862 Portadown
  • 1864 Belfast
  • 1866 Glasgow
  • 1868 Edinburgh
  • 1870 Dublin
  • 1873 Canada
  • 1874 Newcastle
  • 1878 Westgate
  • 1880 Manchester lll
  • 1883 Seaton Delavel
  • 1885 Gateshead
  • 1889 Hexham
  • 1892 Chester le Street
  • 1896 Sunderland l
  • 1900 Seaham Harbour
  • 1902 Newcastle (S)

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1887 (portrait); 1914/743

PM Minutes 1915/55

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

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