Bentley, Richard (1809-1878)

Transcription of obituary published in the Minutes of Conference by E. Ball

RICHARD BENTLEY was born at Newport, in the county of Salop, February 9th, 1809. In his youth he was gentle and teachable. Under the training of the Rev. G. Dobson he became alarmed about his soul, and was led to seek the pardon of his sins through faith in Jesus Christ. Having obtained the pearl of great price, he united with our people, and, showing signs of usefulness, was put on the plan, and shortly afterwards was called into the regular work of the ministry. Through some discouragement which he met with he abandoned the work for a time, but felt that he had done wrong, and again applied to be received into the ranks of his brethren. His brethren yielded to his request, and he again commenced his work as a travelling preacher, and laboured with acceptance and success on the following stations:—Wrockwardine Wood, Prees Green, Ludlow, Dudley, Cwm, Bromyard, &c. His health failing, he was superannuated in 1858, and came to reside in Hereford. His affliction was severe and protracted, but was borne with patience and resignation. For the last twelve months his friends perceived that he was failing, and that the tabernacle of his earthly house would soon be dissolved, The following were among his last utterances:—“My hope is in Christ;” “I shall be happy with Him for ever;” “I shall be eternally saved through the blood of the Lamb;” “He will save me;” “I fear no evil.” He fell asleep in Jesus on Saturday morning, June Ist, 1878, in the seventieth year of his age, and was Interred at the cemetery on Thursday, the 6th of June.

Family

Richard was born on 9 February 1807 at Newport, Shropshire, to parents Thomas and Mary. He was baptised on 13 February 1807 at Newport, Shropshire.

He married Sarah Lea (1800-1878) in early 1852 at Hereford, Hertfordshire

Richard died on 1 June 1878 at Hereford, Herefordshire.

Circuits

• 1837 Wrockwardinewood
• 1838 Prees
• 1839 Oswestry
• 1840 Ludlow
• 1843 Rose Cottage
• 1845 Weobly
• 1846 Bromyard
• 1849 Birmingham
• 1850 Redditch
• 1852 Weobly
• 1853 Oswestry
• 1856 Hereford (Sup)

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1878/651

PM Minutes 1878/15

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

Note: Online records suggest his birth year was 1807 not 1809 as stated in the obituary.