Huffington, William (1850-1927)

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1911
Primitive Methodist Magazine 1911

Early years

William was born in 1850 at West Lutton, nr Driffield, Yorkshire to parents John and Isabella. John was a farm labourer and a local preacher for over sixty years.

When William was a child, the family moved to York. William was converted during a class meeting led by Sir James Meek. He began to preach when eighteen years old.

Ministry

His obituary records that on all his circuits William witnessed prosperity. He was always at his post, working at details, harmonising colliding judgements, patient and sympathetic, and ever a safe guide in any emergency or crisis. As a pastor he was loved by the people among whom he laboured. In the pulpit he showed himself a true minister of the Gospel. He sought for the salvation of men and the spiritual prosperity of his people. His preaching was evangelical, and by his fidelity to conviction he influenced many lives to finer issues.

William went to gaol on five occasions as a Passive Resister.

William gave much attention to the affairs of the Itinerant Preachers’ Friendly Society and served it as auditor, trustee and treasurer.

William was also a lover of books and of art. He was a collector of first editions, prints, glass and china. In these interests he had expert knowledge and his judgements were frequently sought by collectors.

William spent his retirement serving the Church in Blackpool.

Family

William married Eliza Dale (1852-1898) in the summer of 1879 at York, Yorkshire. Census returns identify three children.

  • Evelyn Annie (1878-1919)
  • Isabella Blanche (1880-1961) – a draper’s assistant (1911); married Thomas P N Pettinger in late 1911
  • John Herbert (1884-1974) – a civil servant clerk (1911)

William married Elizabeth Stephenson (b1867) in the summer of 1901 at Barton Upon Irwell, Lancashire. Census returns identify two children.

  • Muriel Stephenson (b1903) – married George Watson in 1944
  • Lucy Mary (1906-1913)

William died on 14 December 1927 at South Shore, Blackpool, Lancashire. William was buried at Morley, Yorkshire.

Circuits

  • Sunderland
  • 1873 Pateley Bridge
  • 1875 Leeds III
  • 1876 Clayton West
  • 1877 Sowerby Bridge
  • 1879 Heckmondwike
  • 1881 Knaresborough
  • 1884 Horbury
  • 1887 Clitheroe
  • 1891 Halifax II
  • 1895 Barnsley I
  • 1898 Rochdale
  • 1903 Rawmarsh
  • 1906 Crewe
  • 1909 Barrow in Furness
  • 1912 Morley
  • 1915 Preston
  • 1918 Blackpool (S)

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1911/339

PM Minutes 1928/262

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

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