Ashworth, Isaac (1859-1943)

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1917
Primitive Methodist Magazine 1917

Early years

Isaac was born in 1859 at Blackburn, Lancashire to parents Thomas and Alice. His father was a class leader in the Branch Road Church and his mother was a local preacher. Thomas worked as a spinner.

Isaac became a ‘half-timer’ when he was ten years old, and at thirteen he left school for the factory working as a cotton spinner. He had a great thirst for knowledge and attended a Science and Art School in the evenings.

On joining the Church, Isaac entered fully into the activities of church life. He became a member of the choir, Sunday school teacher, steward and local preacher.

Ministry

Isaac was Orphanage and Sunday School Secretary in the Lynn and Cambridge District and Temperance and Sunday School Secretary in the Shrewsbury District. For some years he served as a poor law guardian.

His obituary records that ripe in understanding and war of heart, Isaac exercised a most gracious ministry as a pastor. His preaching was truly evangelical, and many found Christ through his appeals. He became intensely devoted to country Methodism, learning to love the village folk.

Family

Isaac married Annie Mary Robins (1867-1927) in the summer of 1890 at Erpingham, Norfolk. Census returns identify six children.

  • Alice (1891-1916) – married William Frederick Futter in 1914.
  • Ralph Herbert (1893-1959) – a draper’s apprentice (1911)
  • Mabel Gertrude (b1896) – a draper’s and milliner’s apprentice (1911)
  • Lilian Annie (1899-1985)
  • Miriam (1901-1984) – married Robert Eric Farmery, a bank clerk, in 1929
  • Thomas Joseph (1907-1975)

Isaac died on 1 May 1943 at Stockport, Cheshire. He was buried at Loddon, Norfolk.

Circuits

  • Hartley
  • 1885 Ipswich
  • 1886 Aylsham
  • 1888 Wymondham
  • 1890 Wisbech
  • 1892 Swaffham
  • 1897 Sudbury
  • 1901 Ely
  • 1905 Kings Lynn
  • 1909 Wem
  • 1916 Nantwich
  • 1919 Methwold & Brand
  • 1921 Horncastle
  • 1924 Loddon
  • 1930 Manchester IV (S)

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1917/224

Methodist Minutes 1943/135

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

No Comments

Start the ball rolling by posting a comment on this page!

Add a comment about this page

Your email address will not be published.