Nation, William (1819-1893)

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1869

William was born on 8 September 1819 at Shinfield, Berkshire to parents Joel Nation and Catherine Pembrook. He was baptised on 3 October 1819 at Burghfield, Berkshire.

Ministry

Clearness, pungency, originality, sanctified humour and evangelical fervour, combined with a striking personality, were characteristics which made him popular in the best sense of the word, and better still, a blessing to a vast number of persons.

Family

William married Rhoda Harding (1817-1858) at Frome, Somerset in 1846. Census returns identify two children.

  • Arthur William (1848-1862)
  • Julia Emma (b1854) – married Robert Robson, a ships carpenter

William married Jane (1832-1902) in Alloa, Scotland. Census returns identify five children.

  • Mary Jane (b1860)
  • William Henry (1863-1941) – a printer compositor
  • Joel (1870-1937) – an insurance agent (1911)
  • Rhoda Ann (b1872) – married John Smith Matthews in Natal in 1898
  • Alethea Leonora (1876-1953) – a jeweller’s assistant in 1911

William died on 28 August 1893 at Penzance, Cornwall.

Circuits

  • 1838 Brinkworth
  • 1839 Shefford
  • 1840 Frome
  • 1841 Brinkworth
  • 1842 Filkins
  • 1843 Redruth
  • 1844 Truro
  • 1845 Market Lavington
  • 1847 Tredegar
  • 1849 St Ives
  • 1852 Bristol
  • 1854 Ramsgate
  • 1856 Saffron Waldon
  • 1858 Alloa
  • 1859 Barnard castle
  • 1861 Shotley Bridge
  • 1864 S Shields
  • 1867 Sunderland
  • 1870 Guisborough
  • 1872 St Helens Auckland
  • 1876 Stockton
  • 1879 Berwick
  • 1881 Ryde & Ventor
  • 1882 Shildon
  • 1886 Thirsk
  • 1887 Ramsgate
  • 1888 Penzance
  • 1890 Penzance (S)

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1869/fr (portrait);

PM Minutes 1894/21

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

Comments about this page

  • Obituary for first wife Rhoda Nation (PM magazine. 1859, page 186) describes how she was too ill to accompany her husband when he was stationed to Alloa, so they had to part their ways, and she spent the last twelve weeks of her life with friends in Frome– no compassionate leave for ministers in those days!

    By David Leese (04/09/2022)

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