Jones, Charles (1813-1856)

Ministry

A transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by Robinson Cheeseman is attached. He writes as follows: “His humility was remarkable. He not only disclaimed all merit in his own works as a ground of justification, but appeared to rank himself among the least of the followers of Christ. No fondness for human applause, no desire of self-exaltation was seen to deform the symmetry of his Christian character. He uniformly spoke of himself as an unprofitable servant. He was jealous over himself with a godly jealousy. He possessed also a meek and quiet spirit. So fully was he renewed in the spirit of his mind, that for many years before his death, I believe, he was never observed by any one to be out of temper, nor heard to utter a rash expression. His ministerial character was strongly marked by Christian affection and persevering zeal. The most prominent feature of his mind, and that which so often threw a charm over his public performances, was his quick and fertile imagination. Hardly any subject could be introduced, but he would gather around it at pleasure a throng of the most fascinating images, This was, doubtless, one secret of the effect produced by his preaching. The facility with which he could command some of the most striking and pathetic anecdotes, to illustrate his subject, was truly surprising. I have not unfrequently seen a whole congregation bathed in tears by the impressive manner in which he would relate a simple anecdote, which might have been told a hundred times before, by other persons, without producing the slightest impression. He had a peculiar talent for addressing children, and scarcely ever preached a sermon without making some remarks specially intended to lead them to Him who said, “Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not.” Hence, wherever he was appointed, crowds of little ones gathered around him, and listened with delight to the gracious words which flowed from his lips. We shall never forget the vivacity that kindled in his eye, the smile of cheerfulness and affection that played over his countenance, while speaking to the lambs of the flock, of the love of Christ who died to save them, and of the necessity of repenting, if they would not be lost.”

Charles resignation from the ministry was promoted by his health which had deteriorated due to overwork, especially during a period in Hull when Cholera was rife.

Family

Charles was born abt1813 at Hardingstone, Northamptonshire, to parents Joseph and Mary. He was baptised on 14 March 1813 at Hardingstone. 

He married Eliza Stacey (abt1820-1884) on 24 August 1843 at St. George, Doncaster, Yorkshire. Census returns identify three children.

• Ann Elizabeth (b1844)     
• Charles William (abt1846-1892) – a publican (1891)   
• Miriam (1849-1908) – married John Vaux, a grocer’s commercial traveller (1881), in 1872

Charles died on 3 January 1856 at Doncaster, Yorkshire.

Eliza married John Garner in the spring of 1857 at Doncaster, Yorkshire.

Eliza married William Ducker Newborn (1820-1880), a clerk (1871), on 1 June 1862 at Doncaster, Yorkshire.

She married David Knowles on 23 February 1882 at Skelbrooke, Yorkshire.

Circuits

• 1837 Halifax
• 1838 Scotter
• 1842 Guernsey
• 1843 Doncaster
• 1844 Scotter
• 1845 Barton on Humber
• 1847 Hull
• 1849 Hull West
• 1850 Hull East
• 1853 resigned

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1856/257

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers