Heath, John (1818-1907)

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1877

Early years

John was born on 4 March 1818 at High Ercall, Shropshire to parents Joseph and Jane. He was baptised on 8 March 1818 at Higher Ercall. John received the rudiments of an education at Shawbury village school.

John was converted aged about 23 and served for six years as a local preacher before becoming itinerant. In 1848 the second minister in his circuit resigned and John was called to replace him.

Ministry

The PM magazine of 1877 reports; ‘As a superintendent he is uniformly careful, plodding, zealous, and generally successful, making good the ground as he has gone forward.’

His obituary records that a deep, quiet earnestness characterised him in all good work. He ever preferred to serve rather than stand and wait. He was happier in ministering to others than being ministered unto.

Family

John married Mary Ann Lucas (1829-1893) at Edgton, Shropshire in 1862. Census returns identify two children.

  • Emily Lucas (1863-1887)
  • Jonathan Lucas (b1865) – a farmer

John died on 16 January 1907 in the Hereford Registration District.

Circuits

  • 1849 Prees
  • 1850 Dawley (6 mths)
  • 1850 Wrockwardinewood (18 mths)
  • 1852 Tunstall
  • 1853 Darlaston
  • 1854 Bromyard
  • 1856 Market Drayton
  • 1858 Bishop Castle
  • 1861 Hadnall
  • 1864 Coventry
  • 1867 Congleton
  • 1869 Minsterley
  • 1872 Cwm
  • 1874 Kidderminster
  • 1878 Church Stretton
  • 1882 Hadnall
  • 1885 Cradley Heath
  • 1887 Peaton Strand (S)
  • 1888 Bishop Castle
  • 1890 Peaton Stand
  • 1893 Clun

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1877/257

PM Minutes 1907/24

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

Comments about this page

  • The obituary for Rachel Heath who died at Bishops Castle in 1861 suggests that John had an earlier marriage to Rachel, marrying in 1856. See PM Magazine 1861, page 624.

    By David Leese (03/09/2022)

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