Austerbury, James (1829-1907)

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1880
Primitive Methodist Magazine 1907

Early years

James was born on 22 March 1829 at Royton Lancashire to parents Joseph and Sarah. James was baptised on 14 June 1829 at Royton. Joseph was a cotton spinner. The 1851 census shows the family in Ashton under Lyne, with James also working as a spinner.

Joseph opened his cottage for meetings when Royston was missioned by evangelists from Oldham. Joseph and Sarah joined the Primitive Methodists. James was converted under a sermon preached by Rev Jonathan Clewer when the family had moved to Ashton under Lyne. He was soon on the plan.

Ministry

James frequently had to deal with cases of financial difficulty and was successful in raising considerable sums of money for new chapels and debt reduction.

His obituary records that he was quiet and unassuming in manner, and well versed in the Scriptures and Methodist Theology. He made careful preparation for the pulpit and kept himself well abreast of the thought of the time.

Family

James married Mary Ann Beck (1832-1909) in early 1861 at Barton upon Humber. Census returns identify one child.

  • George Beck (1865-1910) – a grocer

James died on 8 April 1907 at Hull, Yorkshire.

Circuits

  • 1852 Patrington
  • 1853 Hull ll
  • 1854 Alford
  • 1855 Driffield
  • 1857 Bridlington
  • 1859 Barton upon Humber
  • 1861 Scarborough
  • 1863 Grimsby
  • 1865 Brigg
  • 1868 Hull l
  • 1870 North Cave
  • 1873 Tadcaster
  • 1875 Alford
  • 1878 Pocklington
  • 1880 Market Rasen
  • 1881 Barton (Sup)
  • 1881 Hull lV (Ac)
  • 1889 Hull ll
  • 1891 Hull l
  • 1900 Hull l (Sup)

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1880 (portrait); 1907/740

PM Minutes 1907/7

H B Kendall, Origin and History of the PM Church, vol  2, p46

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

Downloads

Transcription of Obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine 1907.

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