Hartshorne, Thomas (1835-1906)

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1887
Primitive Methodist Magazine 1921

Early years

Thomas was born on 23 January 1835 at Thurmaston, Leicestershire.

Thomas was from a large family with little money. He was sent out to work at an early age. His father was a Wesleyan and Thomas and his siblings attended the Wesleyan Sunday School. The Sunday School Superintendent provided evening classes for the children, thus giving them a basic education.

Thomas was converted on 2 September 1851 at the Primitive Methodist chapel at Thurmaston. This experience encouraged Thomas to give himself to reading and further study. He was soon a local preacher.

Ministry

His obituary records that Thomas was a man of method and a master of detail, by his rare business insight and aptitude, his enormous capacity for hard work, his patience, his courage, his rational optimism and his robust common-sense, he advanced the interests of his circuits to a surprising degree. He was able to face difficulties and shoulder burdens from which ordinary men would often shrink.

Nine chapels were erected under Thomas’s leadership. His pastoral duties were performed with conscientious regularity and care.

His best and greatest work was done in the pulpit and as a preacher. His preaching was of the practical, evangelical kind, solid rather than showy, sound to the core in the setting of the truth.

His wife was a fine preacher and an indefatigable worker.

Family

Thomas married Mary Ann Barnsley (1846-1923) in late 1864 at Bakewell

Thomas died on 31 December 1906 at Coalville, Leicestershire.

Circuits

  • 1858 Mansfield
  • 1859 Boston
  • 1860 Burton in Trent
  • 1861 Bolsover
  • 1864 Wirksworth
  • 1866 Donington
  • 1870 Newark
  • 1872 Winster
  • 1875 Bolsover
  • 1878 Ripley
  • 1884 Lincoln ll
  • 1887 Silverdale
  • 1890 Ripley
  • 1894 Hoyland
  • 1898 Coalville
  • 1904 Coalville (S)

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1887 (portrait); 1921/577

PM Minutes 1907/22

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

 

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