Hallsworth, John

Ministry

Kendall records mention of John’s activity in Barrow on Soar: “In the memoir of Elizabeth Ainsworth there given (in the PM Magazine 1819), it is stated that she, her mother, and two brothers were religiously awakened under a sermon preached by John Hallsworth at Barrow “about the beginning of the winter” of 1817-18. we should hardly have expected to meet with John Hallsworth, of Mercaston’s name as a pioneer missionary in these parts, as his sphere is supposed to have lain farther east, and chiefly in Lincolnshire.”

Writing of the formation of the Lincoln Circuit, Kendall writes: “it was in September, 1820, Lincoln was formed into a circuit, but for some time before this, Hugh Bourne tells us, it had been familiarly known as “Lincoln Circuit,” though only yet as a branch of Nottingham. Much of the country around had been traversed by John Hallsworth and others, for when stationed to the new circuit in 1820 Hallsworth records his thankfulness at finding the position of things so much improved since he laboured in these parts years before; he recalls the fierce persecution he and his fellow-labourers then endured, and notes the retribution with which former persecutors had been visited – as notably at Fulbeck, where the ringleader has since lost his reason and “had to be shut up in a madhouse,” while others had suffered the loss of their cattle.”

Petty records; “Mr. John Hallsworth states, that when he first came into one part of the county (of Lincolnshire) in 1817-18, he was almost continually in danger of losing his life while preaching. Mobs were raised against him at almost every place he visited; eggs, dirt, and stones were thrown at him, cocks were set to fight, bells were rung, and other similar plans adopted to annoy him, and disturb the services. But by patience and perseverance this opposition was in time overcome, and societies were established.”

Family

I have not been able to identify John. in online records. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Circuits

• 1821 Lincoln
• 1822 disappears

References

J Petty, The History of the Primitive Methodist Connexion, 1880, p74 & p119

H B Kendall, Origin and History of the PM Church, vol 1, p282, 298,463

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers