Transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by Thomas Whittaker
Was born at Amcotts, in Epworth circuit, May 20th, 1824. He had but few educational advantages in childhood. At the age of twelve years he was sent to farm service in the neighbourhood of his home, and at this tender age had to battle with all the difficulties and dangers of that sphere of life. A number of circumstances contributed somewhat to his conversion. One of his masters was very solicitous about his salvation, and, when leaving, presented him with a Bible—an example worthy of imitation. A severe affliction that came upon him in his teens did much to impress him with the necessity of a change of heart. In 1842 a small chapel was built by our people at Luddington, at which place Mr. Buttrick was then residing; a Sunday school was established, and he became a teacher. Shortly afterward a revival of religion took place, principally through the agency of the late Mr. T. Bowers, of Adlingfleet, and on July 6th, 1842, Mr. Buttrick found the Lord. In November of the same year he went to reside at Adlingfleet in Swinefleet circuit; shortly afterward his name was put upon the plan.
The manifest genuineness of his piety, his zeal for souls, the preaching ability with which he was endowed, commended him as a suitable person for the itinerant work. When about twenty years of age he was taken out to travel by the York circuit, and was subsequently stationed at Silsden, Bradford, and Leeds. In the last-named circuit his health failed, necessitating a cessation from the itinerant work for two years. He then resumed his labours, and travelled two years in Scarborough circuit; his health again gave way, and it was evident his constitution was not equal to the strain of the regular work of the ministry amongst us. In 1857 he was superannuated, and from that time until his death remained on the retired list. Though in the midst of life, and generally apparently in tolerable health, he never again became a strong man—he could not preach twice on a Sabbath without entailing upon himself a painful nervous irritation which deprived him of sleep for several nights following. We always found him willing to do all he could. He was not a brilliant preacher, but practical and useful. He was a sober, thoughtful, Christian man; there was no parade or putting on of high airs; he was thoroughly honest; in his business transactions he was straightforward and punctual. His were the substantial graces of real life, and real worth of character, that won for him the respect of those with whom he had to do business, and come in contact in daily life.
in January, 1871, he was placed upon the Scarborough School Board, and returned at the head of the poll by a large majority. His home piety was of a high order; he was a tender and kind parent, and a good husband. His last affliction was of but a few days’ duration, he sank rapidly, and became unconscious. There was no dying testimony; we have what is better, the testimony of a good life. He died August Sth, 1871, leaving behind him four children without father or mother, and a widow, his second wife, with one child.
Family
John was born on 20 May 1824 at Amcotts, Lincolnshire, to parents William, a farmer, and Sarah.
The 1871 census returns identifies that John was a grocer after retiring from the ministry.
He married Betty Baxandall (1826-1865) in the summer of 1850 at Bradford, Yorkshire. Census returns and birth records identify five children.
- Priscilla (1853-1921) – married William Todd, a merchant, in 1881
- Edward Halley (1856-1883) – clerk in municipal rate office (1881)
- John Baxandall (b1861) – clerk to a worsted manufacturer (1881); later a Methodist Episcopal Church missionary in India
- Mary (b1863)
- Emma Jane Baxandall (1865-1865)
He married Mary A. (b abt1828) in early 1866 at Scarborough, Yorkshire. Census returns identify one child.
- Agnes (b1868)
John died on 8 August 1871 at Scarborough, Yorkshire.
Circuits
- 1847 Silsden
- 1849 Bradford
- 1851 Leeds South
- 1853 Scotter
- 1855 Otley
- 1856 Scarborough
- 1859 Bradford (Sup)
- 1868 Scarborough
References
Primitive Methodist Magazine 1872/678
PM Minutes 1872/6
W Leary, Directory of Primitive Methodist Ministers and their Circuits, 1990
Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers
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