Betts, George (1808-1874)

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1859
Copy provided by Steven Carter

Early Life

George was born on 29 November 1808 at Shropham, Norfolk and baptised on 29 December 1808. His parents, William Betts (1765-1827) and Ann Fielding (1772-1837), were Wesleyan.

George was converted on through the Primitive Methodists on the day his father was buried. His mother died at a lovefeast at Rockland PM chapel after she had spoken her experience.

George was soon on the plan as a preacher. About 1834 he felt the Holy Spirit calling him to the ministry. To that point he had worked as a shepherd.

Ministry

George’s obituary records; ‘His natural disposition being meek and gentle, he was imposed upon by unreasonable men; but he met all in the spirit of his Master. Indeed few have equalled him, perhaps none excelled the deceased in close, holy living, and calm Christian confidence in the atonement; and though in the pulpit he was not what some call brilliant, yet he was invariably sound, and often successful in winning souls to God.’

Family

George married Fanny Hanton (1814-1880) in 1844 at Wayland, Norfolk. She was the village schoolmistress at Snetterton before they were married. They had 5 children.

  • Lucy Ann (b1846) – dressmaker
  • George Hanton (b1847) – a printer compositor
  • Alfred James (1849-1932) – a draper
  • Fanny Maria Hanton (1850-1929) – married William Whalebelly, a butcher
  • Sarah Anna (1852-1893) – married Edward Wright, a builder

George died on 12 March 1874 in Kings Lynn.

Circuits

  • 1835 Brandon
  • 1836 Mattishall
  • 1838 Wangford
  • 1840 Peterborough
  • 1841 Upwell
  • 1842 Saffron Walden
  • 1843 Rockland
  • 1845 Soham
  • 1847 Aylsham
  • 1849 Wangford
  • 1851 E Dereham
  • 1853 Lynn
  • 1855 Wisbech
  • 1857 Highworth
  • 1859 Basingstoke
  • 1861 Stratford
  • 1863 Bromyard
  • 1865 Norwich
  • 1867 Yarmouth
  • 1869 Docking
  • 1871 Lynn (S)

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1859/257; 1875/233

PM Minutes 1874/9

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

Comments about this page

  • This George Betts b.1808, d. 1874 is my 4th great uncle. My father is George Ellis Betts b.1915, d. 1991, my Grandfather is George E. Betts b. 1877, d. 1950, my Great grandfather George Betts b.1833, d. 1910, my gg grandfather is John Betts b. 1803, d. 1869, my ggggrandfather is William Betts b. 1765, d. 1827, I live in MAcomb, MI, USA. I restored William Betts & Ann Fielding’s grave stone 7 foot stone located in the church yard in Shropham several years ago.

    By George Earl Betts (02/02/2013)

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