Hodge, Henry (1813-1889)

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1871

Henry Hodge gravestone 1812 - 1889 with wife Jane 1867: Hull General Cemetery

Christopher Hill September 2020

Henry Hodge family gravestone: Edwin and Emma Hodge : Hull General Cemetery

Christopher Hill September 2020

Henry was born in 1813 at Kilnsea, Yorkshire to parents William Hodge and Elizabeth Pinder. Henry was one of five brothers who all had an impact on Primitive Methodism in Hull. His brother William became Mayor of Hull. Many of the family were converted when William Clowes missioned Kilnsea in 1820.

Henry was in business as a seed crusher and oil miller on Holderness Rd, Hull. He was a local preacher.

Henry bought a walking stick that used to belong to William Clowes from the estate of Charles Bowman for £4.

Chapel Builder

As a successful businessman, Henry was a generous giver to the PM cause, particularly in the building of chapels.

Henry laid the foundation stone of the Bright Street Chapel on 1 December 1862. This chapel was built at a cost of £5116 and seated 1200. He funded the total cost of the Hodgson Street, Hull and Kilnsea chapels. The Kilnsea chapel was constructed in 1885 from corrugated iron. It was converted into a cottage circa 1917.

Henry was a major donor (£600) to the Henry Hodge Memorial Chapel, Williamson Street, Hull.

Connexional Appointments

Henry was the General Treasurer for the Jubilee Fund

He was appointed a lay trustee of Elmfield College in 1863.

In 1886 Henry was elected Vice President of Conference. Henry began the tradition of appointing a layman as Vice-President of Conference. In that year he also donated £1000 to found a scholarship at the Manchester College (later Hartley College) in memory of his departed friend, Rev George Lamb.

Family

Henry married Jane Simpson (1813-1867) on 22 September 1832 at North Cave, Yorkshire. Records identify seven children.

Elizabeth (b1835)
Emma (1837-1869) – married Joseph Thomas Robson, a seed crusher and local preacher
Ann Eliza (b1839) – married in 1862
Henry Simpson (1841-1874)
Mary Jane(1843-1889) – married George Lamb, a surgeon; son of George Lamb, a PM Minister
Edwin (1849-1857)
Elizabeth (1851-1928) – married James Forster, an organ manufacturer

Henry married Emma Graves (1838-1907) in the summer of 1871. Census returns identify four children.