Ives, Alfred (1840-1918)

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Primitive Methodist Magazine 1903

Early years

Alfred was born abt 1840 at Northampton, Northamptonshire to parents George Ives and Charlotte Kent. George was a shoemaker.

As a child, Alfred attended the Horse Market Chapel in Northampton. Alfred was converted aged fourteen under the ministry of Rev. James Langham. He immediately became a Sunday School teacher and two years later a local preacher. The superintendent of the circuit, Rev Dennis Kendall, saw his enthusiasm and possibilities and guided him in those developmental years.

Alfred worked as a local preacher for eleven years in the Northampton, Maidenhead and London circuits before entering the ministry. He worked as a bootmaker.

Ministry

Alfred never attempted to be a great preacher, but succeeded to be a helpful and saving one. He had a fine voice, and it was full of the strength of his convictions and the tenderness of his deep emotions. He spoke as God’s messenger, who has no mere tale to tell, but an experience to declare of the reality of the message of which he was the bearer. He was always the evangelist.

Alfred was always an earnest temperance advocate. He was also among those who organised the first Metropolitan Missionary Meeting.

After superannuation, Alfred lived in Redruth for three years before moving to Weston-super-Mere.

Family

Alfred married Sarah Ann Mason (1843-1923) in the summer of 1876 at Leicester, Leicestershire. Census returns identify one child.

• Kate Augusta (b1877) – married John Ambrose Whitaker, a dental surgeon

Alfred died on 11 March 1918 at Weston-super-Mare, Somerset.

Circuits

• 1867 London III
• 1869 Leighton Buzzard
• 1871 London VI
• 1874 London I
• 1877 London IXC
• 1879 Bromley
• 1880 London II
• 1882 Bromley
• 1883 Stratford
• 1885 Leyton
• 1890 Hastings
• 1891 Kilburn
• 1894 Maidenhead
• 1897 Aylesbury
• 1898 Sheerness
• 1901 Redhill
• 1904 Redhill (S)

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1903/759

PM Minutes 1918/262

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers