Griffin, George (1840-1912)

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1901

Early years

George was born 16 September 1840 at Newchurch, Isle of Wight to parents Edward and Jane. Edward worked the land.

When aged about fourteen, George came into contact with the Primitive Methodists and was attracted to their services at Ryde and Oakfield. He became a scholar in the Ryde Sunday school. He was converted aged fifteen. The occasion was an evening service at Oakfield Chapel where a local preacher, Mr Bartlett, preached on Acts, ch16, v31-32. About twelve months later George became an exhorter, and in due course an accredited local preacher.

George worked as a general labourer before entering the ministry.

Ministry

On entering the ministry, George became a home missionary under the direction of the General Missionary Committee, where he remained until the conference of 1887.

As a minister he sought to govern his circuits and churches in the spirit of love; he was neither an autocrat on one hand nor effeminate on the other hand. He possessed a devout and humble spirit, but also had deep convictions and was capable of great fervour.

As a preacher, George was always inspiring, his sermons were round and finished and systematic in form, his thoughts were never brought to, but always evolved from the text, and were never allowed to trespass beyond the province of legitimate inference. He preached to bless and save men.

Family

George married Mary Ann Boyce (1852-1932) in the summer of 1875 at Croydon, Surrey. Census returns identify three children.

  • William Frederick (1874-1948) – a printer compositor
  • Edith Jane (1876-1975) – married Thomas William Trett, a flour and corn merchant
  • George Edwin (1877-1963) – a teacher

George died on 29 November 1912 on the Isle of Wight.

Circuits

  • 1865 Buriton
  • 1866 Bagshot
  • 1867 Spilsby
  • 1868 Kelsale
  • 1870 Maldon
  • 1871 Braintree
  • 1873 Raunds
  • 1875 Richmond
  • 1876 Chelmsford
  • 1879 Chatham
  • 1881 Marlborough
  • 1882 Plymouth
  • 1884 Glastonbury
  • 1887 Luton II
  • 1889 Wellingborough
  • 1890 Yarmouth
  • 1893 Acle
  • 1895 Beccles & Bungay
  • 1898 Bloxwich
  • 1902 Leake
  • 1903 Sleaford
  • 1905 Yarmouth (Sup)

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1901/722; 1913/746

PM Minutes 1913/22

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

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