Bennion, William (1859-1933)

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1916
Primitive Methodist Magazine 1916

Early years

William was born on 20 November 1859 at Shrewsbury, Shropshire to parents James and Jane. James worked as a cow-keeper.

William was converted when aged sixteen. The circuit officials noted his promise and he was soon on full plan. His home circuit recommended him for ministry in 1880.

Ministry

William had a lofty ideal of the work of the preacher. His sermons were prepared carefully and his delivery of the message was clear, lucid, and forceful.

William held most of the important district secretary-ships. In Conference he acted as sheet-secretary and registrar. In connection with the Mow Cop celebrations of 1910, William discharged the onerous secretarial work of the Public Services Committee.

William was a lover of books and enjoyed walking and cycling.

His obituary records that William was known everywhere as a fair and honourable man.

Family

William married Kate Gwillim (1862-1936) in the summer of 1885 in the Hereford Registration District. She was niece of Rev William Gwillim (1817-1867). Census returns identify three of five children.

  • Kathleen Easter (1887-1951)
  • Walter James (1891-1951) – a bank manager (1933)
  • Francis Robert (1897-1981) – a civil servant (1951)

William died on 5 November 1933 at Wallasey, Cheshire.

Circuits

  • Sunderland
  • 1881 Burnley
  • 1882 Cwm
  • 1885 Brierley Hill
  • 1888 Weobly
  • 1892 Bedale
  • 1895 Idle & Calverley
  • 1900 Otley
  • 1903 Horbury
  • 1907 Burslem
  • 1911 Workington
  • 1916 Whitchurch
  • 1920 Ellesmere
  • 1924 Leominster
  • 1928 Birkenhead (S)

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1916/86

Methodist Minutes 1934/207

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

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