Hall, Joseph (1819-1884)

Ministry

A transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by G Hodgson Fowler is attached. His character is summed up as follows.

“ Our friend was eminently devoted to the Church of his choice. His talents as a preacher were moderate, but devoutly pious, full of zeal, a good family visitor, lived in the affections of his people, and above all, very successful in winning souls to Jesus Christ. His decision of character was entire. He was no trimmer, but followed the Lord fully. No sacrifice was too great for him to make, no journey too long for him to take. He appears ever to have kept in view that he was sent to turn men from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, and to lead the Church in holiness up to heaven. As the head of a family, he knew how to rule his own house, and command his children after him.”

Family

Joseph was born on 18 February 1819 at Audlem, Cheshire, to parents John, a labourer, and Mary. He was baptised on 3 October 1819 at Audlem.

He married Sarah (1826-1899). Census returns identify four children.

• Simeon (1852-1929) – a commercial traveller
• Priscilla (1856-1933) – married John Wright, a political agent (1891), in 1878
• Rowland (1859-1924) – a tin plate worker
• Vincent (1862-1942) – a commercial traveller

Joseph died on 12 June 1884 at Kings Norton, Worcestershire.

Circuits

• 1850 Pillowell
• 1851 Bromyard
• 1852 Bromsgrove
• 1853 Ramsor
• 1855 Brierley Hill
• 1857 Leominster & Weobley
• 1859 Minsterley
• 1861 Bromyard
• 1863 Stratford
• 1867 Birmingham (S)
• 1873 Stratford
• 1877 Birmingham

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1885/49

PM Minutes 1884/17

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers