Pring, Henry John (1833-1895)

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Primitive Methodist Magazine 1895

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Primitive Methodist Magazine 1912

Early years

Henry was born on 9 April 1833 at Bristol, Somerset to parents Henry and Hannah. His father, Henry was a painter and glazier. Henry was baptised on 26 May 1833 at Langton Street Wesleyan Chapel, Bristol.

The family moved in early 1837 to Calne, Wiltshire. Henry was converted aged 10. He received his first Wesleyan membership ticket in 1848.

From 1847 to 1857 Henry worked as a pupil teacher in Calne National School. He then spent one year at Westminster Normal College to gain a government certificate. After 9 months at Great Horton, Henry taught at the day school at Shipsea, near Hornsea for four years. He then spent 18 months as master of Woodhouse Grove School, nr Bradford, Yorkshire.

Henry was a Wesleyan local preacher from 1853 to 1860. He got to know several PM Ministers, especially Rev Joseph Gibson, who strongly influenced his decision to enter the PM ministry.

Ministry

Henry’s first appointment was to supply for Rev Thomas Knox at Chatham, Kent in November 1860.

His preaching was thoughtful, clear and forcible, and oftentimes the congregations have felt a pathos in his sermons and prayers, which has brought comfort and joy to many a heart.

No obituary was published for Henry in the minutes of Conference.

Family

Henry married Selina Medforth (1828-1870) in the summer of 1865 at Driffield, Yorkshire.

Henry married Adeliza Mary Ann Plommer (1847-1911) in the spring of 1871 at Faversham, Kent. Census returns identify six children.

• Selina Mary (1872-1918)
• Henry William (1873-1939) – a Wesleyan Minister
• William Wallace (1875-1950) – chemist and stationer (1911)
• John Foster (1877-1916) – a printer’s traveller (1911)
• Ada Maria (b1879) – married Percy William Howard
• George Wallace (1881-1915) – a draper

Henry died on 4 June 1895 at Chartham Asylum, Kent.

Circuits

• 1861 London II
• 1865 London I
• 1866 Guernsey
• 1868 London III
• 1869 London II
• 1870 Canterbury
• 1871 Whitstable
• 1872 Reading
• 1875 Baldock
• 1876 Silchester
• 1878 Bedford
• 1880 Hayward’s Heath
• 1883 Motcombe
• 1885 Chipping Norton
• 1886 Cirencester
• 1888 Bromyard
• 1890 Marlborough
• 1892 Pewsey
• 1895 disappears

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1895/243; 1912/411 (Adeliza)

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers