Cummin, Thomas (1810-1887)

Primitive Methodist Magazine
Copy provided by Steven Carter

Thomas was born on 27 December 1810 at Upton, Hampshire to parents William Cummin and Martha Parker. He was baptised on 30 December 1810 at Hurstbourne- Tarrant, Hampshire.

Ministry

Thomas was converted in 1832 under the preaching of John Ride. He worked for two years as a local preacher and was called to the itinerant ministry by the Shefford Circuit. In his early appointments he worked alongside John Ride, particularly in the area around Reading.

His obituary records: ’His joy was in sermonising and preaching. He was painstaking in preparation for the pulpit, and his sermons were logical, with divisions and sub divisions flowing out of the text, and were fitted to linger in the memory. His manner was impressive, his voice good, and mostly was self-possessed, and conviction was carried home to the mind, heart and conscience.’

Family

Thomas was married to Susanna (1811-1890). They had five known children.

  • Clara Tryphena (b1844)
  • Vivian Panting (1846-1914) – a soldier in the 1st Life Guards
  • Lavinia Saunders (1848-1853)
  • Amariah Urbane (1850-1865)
  • Washington Clowes (1854-1860)

Thomas died on 24 March 1887 at Newbury, Berkshire.

Circuits

  • 1834 Shefford
  • 1837 Faringdon
  • 1838 Brinkworth
  • 1839 Redruth
  • 1841 St Ives
  • 1843 Tredegar
  • 1845 Trowbridge
  • 1846 Swansea
  • 1847 Bath
  • 1848 Reading
  • 1849 Brinkworth
  • 1851 Salisbury
  • 1853 Whitney
  • 1857 Motcombe
  • 1860 Newbury
  • 1863 Faringdon
  • 1866 Malmsbury (S)
  • 1867 Newbury

Obituary

Newbury Weekly News 31 March 1887

The remains of the late Rev. T. Cummin were laid to rest in the cemetery in the presence of some three hundred persons.

The first part of the service was held in the Primitive Methodist Church in Bartholomew-street; at which an address was delivered by the Rev. D. Harding of Aylesbury, who said that Mr. Cummin was born in 1811, and was one of the earliest converts to Primitive Methodism in Hampshire. He came from a group of villages on the Hampshire Hills which had produced several men of great preaching ability who had entered the Primitive Methodist Ministry. Mr. Cummin was in the ministry 53 years, 32 years of which he was in more active service and 21 years as a supernumerary.

It was 41 years ago that he (Mr. Harding) first heard Mr. Cummin. He was then conducting a camp meeting in the Bath Circuit. His finely manly appearance, and his zeal and ability made a deep impression upon him. Mr. Cummin was a prince of preachers, and was never at a loss for a sermon, and never unready when his services were needed.

Mr. Harding gave some personal reminiscences of three successful years he spent in the Witney Circuit, with Mr. Cummin and Mr. Herridge as his colleagues, and paid a tribute to his fidelity. The Revs. T. Kench, G.C. Crickmay and J. Harding also took part in the obsequies.

Several wreaths were placed upon the coffin, and at the grave the hymn was sung:-

“Though often here we’re weary
There is sweet rest above;

the refrain of which is “There is a sweet rest in heaven.”

Among those present were friends from Hungerford, Reading, Swindon and other places. The funeral service will be preached on Sunday evening by the Rev. Joseph Harding.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1858/385;  1887/564

PM Minutes 1887/10

H B Kendall, Origin and History of the PM Church, vol 2, 332

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

The Friends of Newtown Road Cemetery

http://www.fnrcnewbury.org.uk/biography.asp?BiogID=666

Comments about this page

  • This page has been updated to include an obituary from the local paper, kindly supplied by The Friends of Newtown Road Cemetery.

    By Jill Barber (22/06/2017)

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