Ecob, John Thomas (1862-1940)

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Primitive Methodist Magazine 1919

Transcription of obituary published in the Minutes of Conference

JOHN THOMAS ECOB: born at Derby in 1862 of Methodist parents, he was educated for the teaching profession. After training at Hartley College, he entered the Primitive Methodist Ministry in 1882. His work was characterized by an earnestness and devotion which won wide recognition and left a deep impression in all the circuits he served. 

Possessed of the gift of language in an unusual degree, his preaching was of a high order, while his reading showed wide catholicity; natural science and religious mysticism finding special favour. His literary abilities, both as a writer of fiction and essays, found frequent outlet in Connexional periodicals, and his business acumen was recognized by his appointment as Secretary of the Nottingham District.

After forty-seven years in the active ministry he retired in 1929, preserving an eagerness to render greater service for his Master than his failing physical powers would allow. He passed beyond the shadows on September 8, 1940, after a hallowed ministry of fifty-eight years.

Family

John was born in late 1862 at Derby, Derbyshire, to parents John, a baker, and Emma.

He married Mehetabel Chapman (1860-1935) in the summer of 1886 at Horncastle, Lincolnshire. Census returns identify five children.

• Percival Ewart Chapman (1887-1934) – emigrated to Canada in 1909; a teacher (1926); died at Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
• Moffat Eusebius (abt1889-1933)
• Eveline Mehetabel (b1891) – married Sydney G haywood in 1926
• Horace Slack (1895-1953) – a branch manager tourist (1939)
• Dorothy Lucilla (1899-1980) – married George H Johnson, a clerk (1939), in 1923; married Albert Beardmore in 1958

John died on 8 September 1940 at Louth, Lincolnshire.

Circuits

• Hartley
• 1883 Sheffield I
• 1884 Horncastle
• 1886 Lynn
• 1889 Wisbech
• 1890 Kirby Cross
• 1893 Loughborough
• 1897 Rawmarsh
• 1901 Sheffield VII
• 1905 Nottingham II
• 1907 Coalville
• 1910 Bridlington
• 1913 Loughborough
• 1916 Nottingham VI
• 1920 Burton on Trent
• 1923 Abertillery
• 1926 Cardiff
• 1929 Market Drayton (S)

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1919/882

Methodist Minutes 1941/163

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers