Beanland, Arthur (1828-1883)

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1881

Early years

Arthur was born on 9 December 1828 at Great Horton, nr Bradford, Yorkshire to parents Benjamin and Betty. Benjamin was a blacksmith. The 1851 census gives Arthur’s occupation as blacksmith and local preacher.

William Antliff’s ‘Book of Marvels” makes reference to an incident of a donkey in a prayer meeting. This happened in Benjamin’s house.

As a boy Arthur enjoyed constructing mechanical nicknacks. He was converted in his fourteenth year. The writer of his obituary suggests that Arthur was a serious and studious child, even more so after his conversion, and did not take much exercise, which may have affected his health in later years.

Soon after conversion Arthur became a Sunday School teacher. He was a local preacher aged 18 and entered the ministry when 24.

Literature

Arthur wrote the following.

Glances through the gates: or, sketches of paradise , 1873

The world before Adam: or, geological footprints of Jehovah , 1876

Ministry

Arthur studied geology and was elected a Fellow of the Geological Society on 5 November 1873.

Whilst at Scarborough, Arthur’s health started to deteriorate. After a year at Winterton, Arthur applied for superannuation. Conference did not accept the application and sent Arthur to Kingston-on-Thames where it was felt that a change of climate would help. Sadly his condition deteriorated and he was admitted to hospital where he died as a result of an operation.

Family

Arthur married Jane Webster (1835-1913) on 24 August 1860 at Sleaford, Lincolnshire. Census returns identify six children.

  • William Arthur (1864-1946) – a headmaster
  • Adeliza Annie (1870-1953)
  • Louisa Augusta (1871-1901)
  • Florence Mary (1875-1966) – married Thomas Hayes, a schoolmaster
  • Albert Edward (1877-1939) – a foreman fitter (1913)
  • Joseph Henry (1880-1958) – a clerk

Arthur died on 6 December 1883 at St Thomas Hospital, Lambeth, Surrey.

Circuits

  • 1854 Belper
  • 1856 Boston
  • 1858 Burton on Trent
  • 1859 Lincoln
  • 1861 Hinckley
  • 1862 Melton Mowbray
  • 1864 Mansfield
  • 1867 Bottesford
  • 1869 Wirksworth
  • 1872 Sleaford
  • 1875 Barton on Humber
  • 1879 Scarborough
  • 1882 Winterton
  • 1883 Kingston

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1881 (portrait); 1885/371

PM Minutes 1884/9

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

Axworthy’s Family Tree on Ancestry.com

Comments about this page

  • Thank you Sandy for the correction. Further investigation has revealed that Albert Edward Beanland died in February 1939. I have corrected the information above.

    By Geoff Dickinson (11/03/2019)
  • The fifth child could not have died aged five, since he is listed as second executor on his mother’s 1913 probate.

    By Sandy Calder (09/03/2019)

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