Auty, Richard Henry (1865-1949)

Supplied by Randle Knight

Transcription of Obituary published in the Minutes of Conference

RICHARD HENRY AUTY: born at Dewsbury in 1865, in a family of devoted Primitive Methodists. His early conversion was followed by a clear call to dedicate his life to the work of the Ministry. Gaining experience as a Lay Pastor, he went to Hartley College when he was twenty-one years of age and, later, travelled in northern and Midland Circuits, Like Brother Lawrence, he practised the Presence of God, and this was evident in his life and labour. He was a man of prayer, and loved to carry others to the Throne of Grace; and his preaching was a joy to himself and to his hearers. He was a capable administrator in both Circuit and District appointments, but he excelled in pastoral work. Two of his appointments were a tribute to his kindliness and judgement, in that he was sent to deal with problems of personality and succeeded in reconciling estrangements. In the days of the Passive Resistance Movement he served two terms in prison for conscience’ sake. It would be difficult to imagine a more gracious personality, radiant in worship, generous in appreciation, devoted amid the increasing demands of his home life, and ready for the great adventure. He was active until a few days before his death, which took place on the 3rd March 1949, at Southend-on-Sea, in the eighty-fourth year of his age.

Family

Richard was born on 10 November 1865 at Dewsbury, Yorkshire, to parents Richard, a grocer, and Harriet. He was baptised on 17 April 1870 at Dewsbury, Yorkshire.

He married Lizzie Johnson (1868-1951 in the summer of 1892 at Hunslet, Yorkshire. Census returns identify two children.

  • Clifford Marshall (1893-1961) – a chemical engineer (1939)
  • Gladys Kathleen I (1904-1973) – married Roy Hampson peach, a railway wheelwright (1939), in 1928

Richard died on 3 March 1949 at Southend-on-Sea, Essex.

Circuits

  • Hartley
  • 1888 Leeds IV
  • 1890 Horncastle
  • 1892 Alford
  • 1895 Glasgow II
  • 1898 Berwick
  • 1903 Brough
  • 1905 Waterhouses
  • 1910 Leeds III
  • 1914 Manchester IV
  • 1917 Hull VI
  • 1922 Stafford
  • 1925 Crewe II
  • 1928 Leonards (S)

References

Methodist Minutes 1949/140

W Leary, Directory of Primitive Methodist Ministers and their Circuits, 1990

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

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