Wilson, James (1850-1921)

Christian Messenger 1908

Transcription of ‘Sketch’ in the Christian Messenger

Mr. James Wilson was born at Swinton, on August 12th, 1850. He came with his father to Hoyland Common when a child of eight. His father introduced Primitive Methodism into the village by holding services in a cottage. In 1861 a room was rented from a publican and used as a chapel. In 1865 a chapel was built in Tinker Lane. It was in this chapel that James Wilson was converted about 36 years ago under the preaching of Mr. J.B. Dickenson. At the next yearly meeting he was put into office and has held a conspicuous position in the Church ever since. Three years ago we came into the main street and built a fine church as a cost of £3,000, and in this scheme as well as the erection of the old church Mr. Wilson played a leading part, in fact the church and its many interests seem to occupy a very large share of his time and thought. He has been Society Steward and Trust Treasurer for 15 years, and was Treasurer of the Sunday School many years. Mr. Wilson is a man of deep piety and zeal, he gives of his best in heart, brain and substance to the church he loves, and has trained his offspring to do the same. He is not only a talker, but a worker, and his record of 36 years of faithful Christian service may well be an inspiration to the younger men. Precisely how much the Church owes to him would be impossible to say. It might be comparatively easy to calculate his influence in certain directions, but there are others where no statistics would be of any use. A single personality will often give tone to an entire church, and the example and leadership of a good Society Steward are of immense value.

The position is one of special importance because its occupant is in a sense the local bishop. This does not enable him to lord it over his brethren, but it does require that he shall take a general oversight of the affairs of the society. This he has done.

J.A.A.

Family and other information

James was born on 12 August 1850 at Swinton by Sheffield, Yorkshire, to parents William and Harriet. William was a coal miner.

Census returns identify the following occupations for James.

  • 1861 pit boy
  • 1871 miner
  • 1881 coal miner
  • 1891 baker
  • 1901 confectioner and baker
  • 1911 confectioner and coal merchant

James married Hannah Burtoft (1856-1924) in late 1874 in the Barnsley Registration District, Yorkshire. Census returns identify ten children of fourteen children.

  • Thomas (b1877) – a colliery yard labourer (1901)
  • Lillie (1879-1962) – married Joseph Scarlett, a PM Minister, in 1907
  • Alice (b1881) – a dressmaker (1901); married John Evans, a railway signalman, in 1907
  • Annie (1883-1892)
  • Joseph (b1885)
  • Frances Elizabeth (b abt1888)
  • Lucy (1891-1896)
  • Amy (b1892)
  • Ernest (1894-1917) – killed in action WW1
  • Herbert (b1896) – a colliery screener (1911)

James died in early 1921 in the Barnsley Registration District, Yorkshire.

References

Christian Messenger 1908/70

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

 

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