Gwillim, William (1817-1867)

Ministry

A transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by John Webster is attached. Webster sums him up in the following words:” Mr. Gwillim was a man of rather warm and sanguine temperament, of exuberant spirits, delighting in activity; he was hopeful, lively, bold; consequently admirably fitted for the sphere of labour in which he spent the latter part of his life. He was plain, simple, straightforward, natural, and manly in his bearing. His integrity and love of truth were conspicuous in all his conduct through life. He was anxious not to give offence to the most querulous; but if the faithful discharge of obvious duty was likely to offend, he shook off the fear of man, and left the consequences with God. Frank, honest, and open himself, he despised everything that was low, mean, and selfish in others. There was a nobleness of mind, a generosity of disposition, and an urbanity of manner that threw a charm around his character. Indeed to know him was to love him. Were we to say that he had infirmities of character we should only affirm what is true of the most distinguished men.

As a preacher brother Gwillim was evangelical. His sermons were plain, pointed, practical, and experimental, but not ornamental. He was not a popular preacher. He was not remarkable for clearness in expressing his ideas, nor yet for the utterance of brilliant thoughts, polished sentences, and finely rounded periods, but a very gracious influence frequently accompanied his sermons and prayers; and many were brought to Christ through his labours. His intellectual powers and literary acquirements were not of a high order; but he was a good man and full of the Holy Ghost.” 

Family

William was born on 14 March 1817 at Goytree farm, Llancillo, Herefordshire, to parents John, a farmer, and Mary.

He married Mary Jones, nee Sankey (1813-??) on 3 July 1850 in the Atcham Registration District, Shropshire. They had two children who died in infancy.

William died on 15 August 1867 at Aberystwyth, Cardiganshire.

Circuits

• 1844 Weobly
• 1846 Wrockwardinewood
• 1847 Bishop castle
• 1848 Leominster
• 1849 Ramsor
• 1851 Oswestry
• 1853 Weobly
• 1854 Dudley
• 1856 Cwm
• 1869 Kidderminster
• 1863 Presteigne
• 1866 Bishops Castle

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1868/67

PM Minutes 1868/7

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers