Scafe, William (1848-1887)

Ministry

A transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by S. Lloyd is attached. He quotes words of Rev. W Rowe from a memorial service for William referring to his time at Lavender Hill.

“For seven years Mr. Scafe has laboured amongst us in word and doctrine,—yes, laboured, for owing to the delicate state of his health, very frequently the discharge of his pastoral duties was a most laborious effort. Often has he paid pastoral visits when he should have been resting. Not unfrequently has he gone from the sick couch to the pulpit. And yet with all his feeble health, how much work did he accomplish! Not content with his ordinary ministerial duties, he frequently worked for periodicals, and to some of them he was a constant contributor, and his contributions were highly valued by their conductors. As a pastor and preacher he excelled. His loving spirit, deep sympathy, and gentle manners and words, always made him a welcome visitor to the afflicted. Some of us who have stood or kneeled by the death-bed of loved ones, cannot forget his ministrations of love and consolation, nor the prayers he has offered. And what prayers! So rich in holy confidence, so full of tenderness, so felicitous in language! The sweet and profitable memories of them linger with us still.’”

Family

William was born on 11 December 1848 at Heywood, Lancashire, to parents John, a coal miner, and Mary.

He married Emma Spoor (1849-1916) in the summer of 1872 in the Stockton Registration District, Co. Durham. She was a daughter of Rev Joseph Spoor. Census returns identify one child.

• Alice Mary Spoor (1874-1955) – a feather curler (1891); a post office clerk (1901); married William Henry Smith, a schoolmaster (1939), in 1903

William died in March 1887 at Hastings, Sussex.

Circuits

• 1868 Durham
• 1869 Leeds II
• 1872 Horbury
• 1873 Otley
• 1876 Leeds III
• 1879 Leeds VI
• 1880 London XII
• 1882 Lavender Hill

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1888/625

PM Minutes 1887/16

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

Note: Some records spell the surname “Scaife”.