Elliott, George William (1885-1952)

Transcription of obituary published in the Minutes of Conference

GEORGE WILLIAM ELLIOTT: born at Barnard Castle in 1885. His home and countryside awoke in him the religious and aesthetic tendencies which afterwards marked his ministry. When already embarked on a career that promised well he heard the call to the ministry of the Primitive Methodist Church, and, after training at Hartley College, entered upon his life’s work in 1912. His probation was spent at Southend, Biggleswade and Beccles. Apart from a term at Poplar, and a memorable ministry in two circuits in Leicester, the remaining years were spent in East Anglia and Yorkshire. 

His ministry was characterised by good preaching, enlivened by touches of native humour, by kindly fellowship, especially with young people, and by a large humanity. His wealth of mind and heart he lavished on small informal groups, often within his own home. He was a lovable man, and beloved by his people. His literary gift found expression in publications which are still enjoyed. 

Retiring in Bridlington, after a term there of five years, he hoped still to engage in the preaching work he loved, but the marks of the malady destined to lay him low were even then upon him. His illness he bore with grace and fortitude. The faith he had commended to others did not fail him. In his sixty-sixth year, and the fortieth of his ministry, he passed to his reward on 5th January 1952, leaving behind a fragrant memory.

Family

George was born in 1885 at Barnard Castle, Co. Durham, to parents George, a China merchant, and Elizabeth.

He married Ethel Cawthorne (1889-1972) in the summer of 1916 at Whitby, Yorkshire.  Birth records identify one child.

• George Evan (b1917) – a chiropodist (1939)

George died on 5 January 1952 at Bridlington, Yorkshire.

Circuits

• Hartley
• 1912 Southend
• 1913 Biggleswade
• 1915 Lowesoft
• 1916 E Dereham
• 1918 Poplar
• 1922 Alston
• 1925 Pateley Bridge
• 1928 Leicester I
• 1933 Leicester Hinckley Rd
• 1938 Market Weighton
• 1942 Horbury Eben
• 1946 Bridlington St Jn
• 1951 Bridlington (S)

References

Methodist Minutes 1952/136

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers