Ministry
A transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by Rev. William Rowe is attached. Rowe writes “As a preacher, brother Huffman was a hard student; his discourses were well arranged, instructive, and pointed. He had a good voice, chaste language, a clear expression, and a retentive memory; but he lacked pathos, fire, and touching appeals. Mr. Peet says, “His addresses were marked by thought, and his ideas were judiciously arranged. The cross was not hidden amidst the beauties of composition, but I fear the system of committing his discourses had a tendency to shorten his day, as it taxed his powers too much in one direction.” He had a thoughtful and judicious mind, and promised to be an ornament and a blessing to the connexion. There was one trait which for the benefit of young men ought to be noticed. He had the habit of introducing at table any incident of a striking character which he had read or heard, by which method he improved himself in the recital of facts, and enlarged his ability for conversation of a profitable character.”
The obituary relies heavily on extracts of Henry’s journal which track his conversion and development as a preacher, both local and itinerant.
Family
Henry was born on 21 January 1837 at Preston, Lancashire, to parents Henry James Huffman, a shoemaker, and Prudence. He was baptised on 3 March 1837 at Preston.
He married Elizabeth Campbell (1837-1891) in the spring of 1860 in the Stockport Registration District. Census returns identify one child.
- Henry James (b1861) – possibly died in 1874 in Quebec, Canada
Henry died on 16 July 1865 at Preston, Lancashire.
Elizabeth returned to her native Isle of Man following Henry’s death and married David Henry Watson in 1874.
Circuits
- 1855 Rochdale
- 1856 Douglas
- 1857 Knowlwood
- 1859 Manchester II
- 1860 Stockport
- 1863 Haslingden
- 1865 Lymm
References
Primitive Methodist Magazine 1866/291
PM Minutes 1866/5
W Leary, Directory of Primitive Methodist Ministers and their Circuits, 1990
Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers
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