Johnson, Matthew (1854-1922)

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1922
Primitive Methodist Magazine 1932

Early years

Matthew was born on 13 May 1854 at Benton, Northumberland to parents Thomas Johnson and Martha Wilson. Matthew was one of twelve siblings identified in census returns, born over a twenty-five year period. (Eight of the siblings were born to Thomas’ first wife, Dorothy.) Thomas was a coal miner.

After an early education at the elementary school, Matthew attended Ramsey’s Academy, where, for a while, he was an assistant teacher. He then moved into business until he entered the ministry.

Three of Matthew’s brothers were local preachers. His eldest (full) brother, John, was a well-known and respected leader of trade unionism in Co. Durham and represented Gateshead in the House of Commons from 1904-1910.

Matthew became a local preacher at the age of nineteen. When he received the call to ministry, he accepted after some hesitation on the grounds of health. Matthew entered the Theological Institute, Sunderland in 1878. He was a successful student heading the list in each examination and being the only one to obtain full marks for the written sermons.

Ministry

Matthew spent five years in his first appointment, living at Cockermouth. The length of stay for a probationer demonstrated his ability as a preacher and circuit minister.

In his second circuit, Matthew was the third minister. As such he was free from a good deal of circuit business and was able to do a good deal of literary work, writing for the Quarterley Review, other Connexional magazines and also for the secular press.

At Hexham, the historic and literary connections met his aesthetic taste. There he spent seven of the most fruitful and happy years of his ministry. Membership increased by seventy-seven and the income of the Hexham chapel nearly doubled during his time there.  Matthew founded a Literary Association, of which he was the first president and also founded the United Temperance Council in Hexham.

By the end of his time at Hetton, Matthew’s eyesight had become so bad that he had to seek superannuation. He settled back in Hexham.

All Matthew’s ministry took place in within the boundaries of the old Sunderland District. He served on the Connexional Probationers’ Examining Committee and also served as Probationers and Candidates Examiner. For many years he was treasurer of the ‘North of England Preachers’ Association, and secretary of the ‘Dialectic Club’.

Family

Matthew married Anne Elizabeth Saul (1854-1931) in the summer of 1883 at Gateshead, Co Durham. Anne was the daughter of Rev William Saul (1827-1889). They had two daughters.

  • Eva Wadsworth (1895-1977) – married Fletcher Canning
  • Lily Saul (b1898)

Matthew died on 9 February 1922 at Hexham, Northumberland.

Circuits

  • Sunderland Theological Institute
  • 1879 Maryport
  • 1884 Blyth
  • 1887 White-le-head
  • 1892 Hexham
  • 1899 Blyth
  • 1903 Hetton
  • 1910 Hexham (S)

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1922/361; 1932/252 (Anne)

PM Minutes 1922/266

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Johnson_(British_politician)

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