Kennett, George Frederick (1856-1886)

Transcription of obituary published in the Minutes of Conference by John N Wheeler

GEORGE FREDERICK KENNETT was born at St, Stephen’s Canterbury, August 21st, 1856. He was converted to God in his seventeenth year, and at once united in church fellowship with our society at Fordwick, in the Canterbury Circuit. He soon became of great service as a teacher in the Sunday-school and as leader of the service of praise. To these duties, as to all the duties he subsequently undertook, he devoted all the energy and talents with which he was endowed, and made full proof of his ministry. Two years afterwards he became a local preacher, labouring in that capacity with great acceptance and success for upwards of five years. 

He was recommended for the regular ministry in 1880, but, though he creditably passed the requisite examination, he was not able to secure a station that year. He then became a home missionary in the Ramsgate Circuit, where his earnest and devoted labours secured an encouraging accession to the Church of Christ. After spending twelve months at Manchester Institute, he commenced his ministry as a travelling preacher at Pudsey, in the Leeds District. He was subsequently stationed at Halifax and at Gravesend, but, owing to physical prostration, he was not able to commence his duties at the latter place. 

The symptoms of his illness were so complicated that for many months they baffled the skill of many physicians to understand, much less to remedy. Eventually, it was discovered that he was suffering from internal abscess, but strong hopes were entertained that recovery was possible. These hopes, however, proved delusive. After a few more months of suffering, which he endured with Christ-like patience, and in the midst of which his faith shone with all the lustre of heavenly love, he heard and obeyed the last earthly call of the Master whom he delighted to serve, and passed away to the spirit world. 

He died March 24th, 1886, in the thirtieth year of his age and the fourth of his ministry. During his brief term of service he manifested an aptitude for reaching the hearts of the people, and a real love to the pastoral part of his duties, which warranted the expectation that his would have been a ministry rich in blessing to his flock, as well as acceptable to the Great Shepherd.

Family

George was born on 21 August 1856 at St. Stephens, Canterbury, Kent, to parents John Kennett, a nursery gardener (1861), and Sarah Jane Petley.

The 1871 census return records George as a gardener. In 1881 he is described as a PM Missionary at Margate, Kent.

George died on 24 March 1886 at Reed Pond, St Martins, Canterbury, Kent.

Circuits

• Hartley
• 1883 Pudsey
• 1884 Halifax I
• 1885 Gravesend

References

PM Minutes 1886/14

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers