Beal, Joseph (1846-1925)

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1904
Primitive Methodist Magazine 1925

Early years

Joseph was born on 20 December 1846 at Sherriff Hutton, Yorkshire to parents Robert and Martha. Both parents were Primitive Methodists.

Joseph was educated in the National School until the age of twelve. He served an apprenticeship as a tinner and brazier.

Joseph was converted on 16 March 1862 under the preaching of Mr J. Fenwick. Edwin Dalton and Frederick Prest were converted at the same time. Twelve months later, Joseph was authorised by the York circuit to take appointments. Joseph gave himself to prayer, Bible study, self-culture and pulpit preparation. He served his own circuit for three months as a hired local preacher.

After recommendation for ministry, Joseph became a ministerial student at Elmfield College.

Ministry

Joseph’s preaching style was clear, intelligent and evangelical. His supreme aim was the salvation of his hearers, and the improvement of the churches entrusted to his care.

The general impression of his congregation was that he improves as a preacher the more frequently they hear him. In his six years at Basingstoke he preached over four hundred and fifty sermons and retained his reputation for freshness. At Basingstoke, Joseph superintended the erection of a magnificent chapel.

Joseph served for three years on the Sileby School Board.

Family

Joseph married Catherine Kirby (1843-1911) in the summer of 1872 at Malton. Census returns identify four of their five children.

  • Emily Florence (1873-1940) – married George Colin Clarke, a boot & shoe operator’s edge setter (1901)
  • Frederick Walter K (1878-1900)
  • Frances Edith (b1880)
  • Sydney Percival (1885-1956) – a dairy manager (1925)

Joseph died on 9 April 1925 at Hornsea, Yorkshire.

Circuits

  • 1868 Pocklington
  • 1869 Mexborough
  • 1870 Alford
  • 1872 Gainsborough
  • 1874 Pocklington
  • 1877 Scotter
  • 1880 Patrington
  • 1883 Alford
  • 1885 Tadcaster
  • 1887 Sheffield I
  • 1889 Sleaford
  • 1892 Sileby
  • 1895 St Austell
  • 1898 Basingstoke
  • 1904 Yeovil
  • 1906 Guildford
  • 1909 Scotter (Sup)
  • 1915 Hornsea

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1904/927; 1912/657; 1925/586

PM Minutes 1925/247

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

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