Gladwin, Thomas John (1858-1925)

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1915
Primitive Methodist Magazine 1925
Primitive Methodist Magazine 1922

Early years

Thomas was born on 17 August 1858 at Shildon, Co Durham to parents Stephen Gladwin and Ann Duke. His mother was a step-daughter of Thomas Russell.

When he was eight years of age the family moved to Darlington where his father, originally a coal miner, had become the town missionary. The family became associated with the Rise Carr society. Thomas was one of the first scholars in the Sunday School and his conversion and early work as teacher and local preacher were all connected with that society. At the age of nineteen, Thomas was requested to prepare for ministry by Hugh Gilmore.

Ministry

His obituary records that Thomas won a great reputation as a preacher. He had a style all his own. Theological speculations had no attraction for him. His doctrines were rooted in experience.

His best circuit work was done at Harringay where he pioneered the erection of a new church and left a flourishing congregation.

Thomas spent some time as the Secretary of the Local Preachers’ Aid Fund.

Thomas succeeded Robert Hind as Secretary of the Chapel Aid Association and Insurance Company in 1911, a role he held until his death.

Family

Thomas married Mary Ann Todd (1859-1922) in the summer of 1884 at Darlington, Co Durham. Mary was a grand-daughter of Rev Jonathon Clewer.  Census returns identify five of six children.

  • Beatrice Mary (1885-1963)
  • Eva Lilian (1885-1972)
  • Florence Elsie J (1893-1985)
  • Arthur Douglas (1895-1983) – a certified accountant (1925)
  • Albert Ewart (1897-1917) – killed in action in WW1

Thomas died on 21 February 1925 at York, Yorkshire.

Circuits

  • Sunderland
  • 1880 London II
  • 1882 Caledonian Road
  • 1885 Poplar
  • 1887 Sheffield V
  • 1891 Scarborough
  • 1894 Mexborough
  • 1898 Harringay
  • 1908 Luton
  • 1911 York

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1915/590; 1922/587; 1925/584

PM Minutes 1925/253

B A Barber, A Methodist Pageant, 1932, p278

R Newman Wycherley, The Pageantry of Methodist Union, 1932, p174

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

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