Gledhill, William (1807-1876)

Primitive methodist Magazine 1860
Copy provided by Steven Carter

Early Years

William was born on 2 March 1807 in Halifax, Yorkshire. He was converted at the age of 12 and joined a PM Society in 1821. In 1826 he became a Sunday School teacher, a role he fulfilled for eight years. At the age of 22, William became an exhorter and quickley moved onto full plan. In becoming an itinerant preacher, William was recommended by the Wakefield circuit.

Ministry

He was one of a number of PM Ministers who were sent to Canada following a visit to Canada by Hugh Bourne in 1844.

William’s obituary includes these words. ‘Brother Gledhill was not learned, nor was he extensively read. He was pre-eminently “a man of one book”. He took no part in political agitations. He minded his work as a minister of Jesus, and was a paster to his people. His zeal was fervent, and his activity indefatigable. He was tender towards the afflicted, and charitable to all. His gratitude for favours shown knew no bounds. He was a true man. He ever sought to do and speak the truth. He was kind to all. He was frank and open and very outspoken. He was a man of strict integrity. In him was no guile’

William died on 18 August 1876 at Halifax, Yorkshire.

Circuits

  • 1835 Lincoln
  • 1836 Grimsby
  • 1838 Malton
  • 1839 Hull
  • 1840 Driffield
  • 1842 Halifax
  • 1843 Lancaster
  • 1844 Newtown & Welshpool
  • 1845 Bridge Rule
  • 1847 Toronto (Canada)
  • 1848 Guelph
  • 1849 Darlington
  • 1850 Brampton
  • 1851 Markham
  • 1853 Darlington
  • 1854 Etobicoke
  • 1857 Bath Road
  • 1862 Pocklington
  • 1863 Driffield
  • 1865 Grimsby
  • 1867 Halifax (Sup)

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1860/513; 1877/735

PM Minutes 1877/9

H B Kendall, Origin and History of the PM Church, vol 1, p495

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

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