Jenkinson, John J.P. (1857-1922)

Of Whitehaven

Christian Messenger 1907
Primitive Methodist Magazine 1923

Transcription of ‘Sketch’ in the Christian Messenger

Few, if any, are more worthy a place in our permanent records than Mr. J Jenkinson, of Whitehaven Circuit. In 1870, at the early age of thirteen years, he surrendered himself to God, and having joined the Church he very soon began to exercise his gifts in public, and at the age of twenty-two became a local preacher on full plan, the duties of which office he has discharged up to the present time with conspicuous ability. His gifts run in a variety of directions. He has been for many years and is now a successful class leader; for eight years he superintended the Whitehaven Sunday school with marked success; he has been President of the Christian Endeavour Society at Whitehaven since its foundation about five years ago. Seven times he has represented his Circuit in District Meeting; he has been a member of the Carlisle and Whitehaven District Committee since its formation in 1886, and was also a delegate to Conference in 1888. Doubtless he would have represented the district in Conference more frequently had he not been compelled to decline nomination on account of his employment on the editorial staff of the Whitehaven News.

He is at present honorary secretary of the Whitehaven Liberal Club; a member of the Board of Guardians; and president of the Whitehaven and District Band of Hope. He is held in high esteem both in Whitehaven and the district, and his valuable services are much in demand. May he long be spared to serve the Church of which he is so honoured a member.

J.B.B.

Family and other information

John was born on 7 February 1857 at St Bees, Cumberland, to parents Joseph and Hannah. Joseph was a labourer. John was baptised on 8 March 1857 at St Bees.

John was educated at St Bees Grammar School.

Census returns illustrate the development of John’s career.

  • 1871 printer compositor
  • 1881 printer’s clerk
  • 1891 printer reader – local preacher
  • 1901 sub-editor; acts as local preacher
  • 1911 newspaper sub-editor

His obituary records that John was regarded as a local ‘Connexional lawyer’. His knowledge of the rules and usages of the Connexion was almost encyclopaedic.

Three years before his death, John became chairman of the Board of Guardians. He was appointed a County Magistrate in July 1918.

John married Mary Ann Dixon (1857-1919) on 27 April 1881 at Whitehaven PM Church, Cumberland. Census returns identify seven children.

  • Hannah (b abt1882) – a domestic servant; emigrated to South Africa in 1906
  • Joseph Wilfred (1884-1952) – a PM Minister
  • Isabel May (1886-1966) – married Joseph William Thompson, a railway pointsman, in 1910
  • Arthur Ernest (1888-1972) – a bricklayer below ground (1911); a clerk of works (1922)
  • Sidney Robert (1889-1952) – a local preacher; a schoolmaster (1922)
  • John Taylor (1890-1971) – a local preacher; a clerk in iron trade (1911)
  • Leonard (1895-1916) – a grocer’s apprentice (1911); died in WW1

John died on 17 September 1922 at Whitehaven, Cumberland.

References

Christian Messenger 1907/193

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1923/213

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

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