Farmer, William Henry (1857-1923)

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1911
Primitive Methodist Magazine 1923

Transcription of Magazine ‘Sketch’

Mr. W.H. Farmer, Circuit Steward of the Rhondda Circuit for fourteen years, though still in the full bloom of manhood, has been a member and enthusiastic worker in our Church for thirty-three years. He always has the welfare of his Circuit at heart, and strives in every way to contribute to the success and progress of Christ’s Kingdom. For many years he has been Sunday School Superintendent and Class-leader in the Llwynypia Society, and is beloved by the young people as a Class-Leader. As Circuit representative on the District Committee, he has attended the District meeting on several occasions, and has been honoured with its vice-presidency. He represented his District at the Birmingham Conference, is District Treasuer of the Centenary Fund and Temperance Committee, and one of the District Representatives to the next Triennial Sunday School Conference. May he long be spared.

J.J. Hodson

Family and other information

William was born abt 1857 at Frampton Cotterell, Gloucestershire. To parents William and Emma. William was baptised on 15 February 1857 at St Saviour, Coalpit Heath, Gloucestershire.

William moved to Tonypandy in 1871.

Census returns give the following occupations for William.

  • 1881 shoemaker
  • 1891 shoemaker
  • 1901 boot and shoe dealer
  • 1911 bootmaker, dealer

William became circuit secretary in 1894 and circuit steward in 1897. He was “commanded by His Majesty the King to attend the investiture of His Royal Highness the prince of Wales at Carnarvon, as lay representative of Primitive Methodism for Wales.”

William married Sarah Ann Bartlett (1858-1939) in the summer of 1880 in the Pontypridd registration district. Census returns identify seven of fourteen children.

  • Florence Laura (1881-1943) – married Benjamin Brice, a greengrocer in 1907
  • William Henry (1882-1964) – a boot maker (1923)
  • George Edwin (1884-1954) – a boot dealer (1923)
  • Edith Emma (abt1888-1927) – married George Brice in 1915
  • Albert Charles (1893-1961) – a boot repairer (1911); a boot dealer (1923)
  • Alfred Stanley (1897-1908)
  • Arthur Jesse (1900-1995) – a bus driver (1939)

William died on 19 March 1923 at Tonypandy, Glamorgan.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1911/448; 1923/876

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

Comments about this page

  • David,

    The Englesea Brook Chapel and Museum of Primitive Methodism would be interested to see the artefacts that you have.

    It would be good if you could photograph the items you have and e-mail the photos to the museum. 

    Colleagues at the Museum would then be able to advise on the significance of your artefacts.

    You can find the contact details for the museum from the Home page of this site.

    By Geoff Dickinson (05/04/2016)
  • Hi David,

    Thanks for your comment. Having had another look at the 1911 census return, Bertram, aged four, is living with William Henry Farmer and wife Ellen at Tonypandy. This William Henry (1882-1964) is the son of William Henry (1857-1923) and had just one child living at that time. I have therefore assumed that Bertram was the grandson of William Henry (1857-1923), hence he does not appear on the list of children above.

    Please let me know if I have interpreted the census return incorrectly.

    By Geoff Dickinson (04/04/2016)
  • Yes off course I can see now that is correct.

    If there is a museum or similar which would be interested in seeing the artefacts that I have commemorating the Primitive Methodist Church please get in touch. Dave Farmer  

     

    By David Martin Farmer (04/04/2016)
  • I am a grandson of W H Farmer, My father was Bertram Cecil Farmer born 5/12/1906, died 9/11/1973. I would be very pleased if by father could be added to the list of children in the article.

    I still have some historical plates etc commemorating Primative Methodist events. I also have the ticket and invite when W H Farmer went to the investiture  of the Prince of Wales in 1911.

    By David Martin Farmer (03/04/2016)

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