Maltby, John (1790-1864)

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Primitive Methodist Magazine 1861

Copy provided by Steven Carter

Early years

John Maltby was born on 10 November 1790 at East Halton, Lincolnshire, to parents Richard and Mary. John was baptised on 14 November 1790 at East Halton.

His father was a farmer, a strictly honest man who made no profession of religion. His mother was a christiasn and a great reader. She was particularly attached to Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress. Mary had hearing difficulties and rarely attended public worship.

As a child and youth, John was taught to work on the farm. A wealthy uncle educated John at his own expense. At the age of 16, John was sent to boarding school at Barton on Humber for two years.

Circa 1806, the family moved to Ulceby. It was there that John learned music and was part of the church choir. He was also fond of dancing, which was much practiced in the villages of North Lincolnshire.

Conversion

About 1819, the first Primitive Methodist missionaries visited the area. Under their preaching, John was converted. He joined the Primitive Methodists despite opposition from his family, friends and even his wife.

John became a prominent Primitive Methodist in the Louth Circuit. His obituary records that he was a man of prayer, loved the bible, had a high reverence for the house of God, observed the Sabbath. He was a man of great humility and very charitable in his giving.

The 1851 and 1861 censuses record his occupation as a farmer at Louth Park. In 1851 he was farming 410 acres, employing 6 labourers.

Contribution to the Connexion

For 25 years, John provided preachers in the Louth circuit with a horse to convey them to remote villages.

As a local preacher he was neither eloquent in speech, nor fluent in utterance, yet he was always acceptable, and in some places even popular.

John served as a class leader, Sunday School teacher and was General Missionary Treasurer for eight years.

John is the subject of a book written by Robinson Cheeseman, published by R Davies in 1864 “The earnest Christian; or a biographical sketch of John Maltby Esq”.

Family

John married Maria Wells (b abt 1791) on 18 August 1811 at Habrough, Lincolnshire. They had a son and four daughters.

• Elizabeth (baptised 24 November 1814)
• Joseph (baptised 30 March 1817)
• Harriet (baptised 14 November 1819)
• Maria (baptised 12 April 1823)
• Ann (baptised 11 September 1825)

John married Elizabeth Sharp (1814-1885) in the spring of 1846 at Louth, Lincolnshire.

John died on 22 January 1864 and was buried at Keddington churchyard.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1864/296

B Kendall, Origin and History of the PM Church, vol 1, p452

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers