Platt, Henry (1825-1883)

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Primitive methodist Magazine 1874

Henry was born on 23 April 1825 at Scotter, Lincolnshire to parents George and Jane. He was baptised on 25 April 1825 at Scotter.  His parents were Primitive Methodists.

Henry was converted at the age of 18 at a revival meeting in Scotter. He soon became a local preacher.

Ministry

Henry was President of the District Meeting on 5 occasions. He served 5 years as Secretary of the District Committee, 11 years as Secretary of the Buildings Committee and 11 years as Secretary of the Ministerial Association.

His obituary records that he was on of the best managers of men. His great power of self-control, his keen wit, his gentle sallies, and good humour, helped him to calm many a storm and bring to an end many a dispute. He could ‘pour oil over troubled waters’, and could see more quickly than most a way out of apparent difficulties.

Henry took a keen and intelligent interest in the temperance question, and it was often a source of pleasure to his brethren to hear him on this subject.

Family

Henry married Martha Gantlett (1822-1892) in 1851. Census records identify four children.

• Frederick Barker (1857-1931) – manager of a carpet manufacturer in 1901
• George Roger (1859-1931) – a grocer
• Cecilia Jane (b1864) – married Samuel George Foster, a coal merchant
• William Henry (1867-1948) – a watchmaker

Henry died on 22 August 1883 at Fisherton Anger, Wiltshire.

Circuits

• 1846 Brinkworth
• 1847 Worcester
• 1848 Hawksbury Upton
• 1849 Macclesfield
• 1850 Newbury
• 1851 Marlborough
• 1853 Cranborne
• 1855 Leamington
• 1857 Oxford
• 1861 Banbury
• 1864 Wallingford
• 1866 Aylesbury
• 1869 Leamington
• 1870 Brinkworth
• 1875 Sturminster
• 1878 Salisbury
• 1883 Salisbury (S)

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1874 (Portrait); 1884/49

PM Minutes 1884/11

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers