Harrison, Henry (1825-1898)

Transcription of Obituary In the Primitive Methodist Magazine by J.H.

WINTERTON Circuit has lost a valued member in the person of Mr. Henry Harrison, who was born in Lincolnshire, and was a life-long resident in the village of Appleby in that county. Early in life he was converted through the ministrations of our Church, whereupon he joined the society, and continued his membership unbroken for over fifty years. This long unbroken membership at Appleby means more than appears at first sight. The whole village belonged to one man, who was a rigid Anglican, and he in turn was largely influenced by a High Church vicar of high social connections, and who expected every parishioner to attend church. Anyone daring to belong to our cause was in danger of being unceremoniously ousted out of the village. Under this influence the Wesleyan Society showed the white feather and disbanded. But Mr. Harrison and several others, in spite of danger, remained avowed and loyal members of our small church. He was a local preacher for fifty years.

In the earlier years of this toil the Brigg, Winterton, and Scunthorpe Circuits were known as the Brigg and Alkboro’ Branch of Hull Circuit. This Branch was over twenty-five miles in length. Mr. Harrison frequently undertook long journeys, oft reaching home wearily after midnight. He was a deliberate and thoughtful preacher, not so showy in speech as some, but always preached sermons of real worth. One thing marked him – from first to last he was a truth-seeker. In politics he always asked, “What are the facts?” And the truth, when found, he accepted, whether according to his previous opinion or no. So in theology, of which he read not a little, he read to find the truth, not to bolster up his opinions. Hence he was broad and intelligent. His piety was of the highest order. It was in deed and not in word only. He was a kind official, a true “preacher’s friend.” For some years he was chapel treasurer. He was greatly afflicted, and suffered much during his last five or six years. The writer frequently visited him and always found him cheerful and practically immovable in faith. He was a pillar in the Church. His spirit quietly passed away on the 3rd of June, 1898, in his seventy-second year. His widow and a large circle of friends deeply mourn his loss.

Family

Henry was baptised on 4 December 1825 at Appleby, Lincolnshire. His parents were john and Elizabeth.

Census returns identify the following occupations for henry.

  • 1851 agricultural labourer
  • 1861 woodman
  • 1871 agricultural labourer
  • 1881 woodman and PM L Preacher
  • 1891 agricultural labourer

Henry married Elizabeth Summers (abt1825-1909) on 1 December 1847 at Appleby, Lincolnshire. Census returns identify seven children.

  • Louisa (b abt1848) – married Edward Gascoigne, an engine fitter, in 1867
  • John (b1849)
  • William Henry (b1850)
  • Andrew (1855-1879)
  • Sarah Elizabeth (1857-1938) – married Robert Levitt Sutherland, a boiler maker, in 1877
  • Frederick (abt1865-1941) – a joiner
  • Amaziah (1869-1918) – town hall beadle (1911)

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1901/389

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

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