Garner, James (1805-1849)

Ministry

A transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by W. Ward is attached.

Ward writes of him; “He was a good minister of Jesus Christ; not a novice, but “a workman that needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth;” and was an example to believers, in word, conversation, charity, faith, and purity; of good behaviour, vigilant, sober, patient: in a word, he was “a vessel unto honour,” sanctified and meet for the Master’s use, and prepared unto good works. On his fair mitre might be seen written, as with the pen of the living God, “Holiness to the Lord!” 

Family

James was born on 12 January 1805 at Kings Lynn, Norfolk, to parents Thompson and Susan. He was baptised on 14 January 1805 at Lynn, Norfolk..

Before entering the ministry he was apprenticed to a cork cutter.

He married Rebecca Cole (1813-1854) on 15 May 1933 at Yarmouth, Norfolk. Census returns identify 11 children.

• Rebecca (1835-1854)
• James (1836-1897 – a police sergeant (1891)
• Sarah (1836-1908) – married Moses Goodwin, a teamster (1880)
• Elizabeth (b abt1838)
• Josiah (1839-1879)
• Martha (1840-1923) – married Benjamin Talboy
• Shelomith (1842-1912) – married James W Miller
• Elijah (b1843)
• Naomie (1845-1854)
• Susanna (1846-1854)
• Hepzibah (1848-1854)

James died on 17 September 1849.

Rebecca emigrated to USA in 1854 on the Barque Harvest. She and four of her children were lost at sea in a storm on 11 September 1854 off the coast of the USA.

Circuits

• 1827 N Walsham
• 1828 Yarmouth (6 mths)
• 1828 N Walsham (6 mths)
• 1829 London
• 1831 Brandon
• 1833 Norwich
• 1835 Upwell
• 1837 Lynn
• 1839 Wangford
• 1842 Wisbech
• 1844 Yarmouth
• 1846 Ipswich
• 1848 Lynn
• 1849 Brandon

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1850/65

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers