Lloyd, Samuel (1795-1867)

Transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by Thomas Lane

THE subject of this sketch, was born at Hints Gate, in the parish of Chorley, in the county of Shropshire, in the year 1795. His parents were Christians. His father, who had often preached the Gospel in connexion with Lady Huntingdon’s church, died when our brother was a child, but his mother, who was a pious woman, sought to bring up her son in the fear of the Lord; consequently good impressions were made on his mind when he was very young.

When he was about sixteen years of age he went to learn the business of a saddler, but not being satisfied with the treatment he received from his master he soon left him and enlisted, and was in this service about four years. Subsequently, he went to live at Plymouth, in the county of Devon. At this place he attended the ministry of Mr. W. O’Bryan, the founder of the Bible Christian connexion, and was led to devote himself to Christ. Having good natural abilities and a love for precious souls, he was called into the ministry, and laboured as a travelling preacher about four years.

He then went on a visit to his own native place in Shropshire, and after having preached with great success among our people he felt inclined to join the Primitive Methodist Connexion. He was soon employed as a travelling preacher among us, and stationed at Hopton Bank, Worcester, and Shrewsbury. 

At Shrewsbury he left the ministry and went into business with a relative at a place where our people had no cause, having travelled with us between four and five years. Some years after he came to reside at Newport, Monmouthshire; and when our people missioned Newport, he and his wife were the first that joined the society, and he was soon appointed a local preacher and class-leader. The class he continued to lead until he was prevented by the affliction which terminated in his death.

The Rev. J. Hibbs says, “In the year 1843 I missioned Newport from the Pontypool circuit, when Brother Samuel Lloyd and his wife joined the first class on the night it was formed. Brother Lloyd was a warm-hearted Primitive Methodist, and being a man of good information and sound Christian experience he was of great service to the infant cause at Newport; he was a good class-leader, and a very acceptable local preacher, and he supported the discipline of the Connexion. He was a friend to the servants of God, and his house was always opened to receive them.”

Our brother’s labours were blessed by God, and many souls have been led to Christ through his agency. The Rev. Richard Jukes, who is well known in our Connexion, says, “Mr. Samuel Lloyd was the first preacher I heard connected with the Primitive Methodists, and through his instrumentality I was led to attend their ministry.”

As a preacher he was very faithful and indefatigable. The Rev. J. Preston says with respect to our brother, “I was well acquainted with him during my four years’ station in Pontypool circuit, and believe him to have been a devout Christian, a sincere friend, a staunch Primitive Methodist, and an indefatigable labourer in the cause of his Divine Master. He loved the doctrines and polity of the Connexion. The Rev. W. Harvey, who travelled two years in the Pontypool circuit says, “I found him a man of quick perception, with clear views of Evangelical doctrines, and very willing to labour in the Lord’s vineyard, and his house» was always open to receive the servants of Christ when they were at Newport.”

The Rev.. P. Maddocks says, “During the twelve months Newport was connected with Cardiff station I had several opportunities of visiting the late Mr. Lloyd. At first I thought he was stern and very distant, but I soon found that he could ‘weep with those that weep, and rejoice with those that do rejoice.’ He loved the house of God, notwithstanding his affliction his seat was seldom vacant through all kinds of weather. He was a trustee of tho Newport chapel, and the society steward for many years; he was sent as delegate to the district meetings, and went once as a delegate to Conference. Our brother stood by the cause at Newport for many years when it was very low.”

I found our brother to be a kind friend, a good Christian, a faithful class-leader, and a very acceptable local preacher, always willing to do what he could to promote the cause of Christ. He will be missed at Newport, but our loss is his gain. For some time before his death it was evident that he was gradually getting weaker in body, but stronger in grace. The last time he preached at Newport he told the congregation that his time on earth was short, and that he was quite prepared for heaven, and he faithfully exhorted them to prepare to meet him in glory.

The last time he spoke at our lovefeast his experience was that of a matured Christian. His end was peace. He said to brother John Francis the Sunday before he died, “I have a settled peace with God ;” and to the writer, “I am resting on the Rock of Ages.”

He died March 23rd, 1867. His last words were “I am going home to heaven;” “I die in peace with all men.” His funeral was attended by many respectable Christians of the various denominations of Newport. May his wife and family, the reader, and writer, meet him in the “land of the pure and the holy.” Amen.

Family

Samuel was born in 1795 at Hints Gate, Chorley, Shropshire.

Census returns and records identify the following occupations for Samuel.

• 1828 bookseller (son’s baptismal record)
• 1841 bookseller
• 1851 travelling bookseller
• 1861 bookseller

He married Susanna Bryant (1798-1873)  on 24 December 1823 atTiverton, Devon. Census returns identify one child.

• Samuel (1828-1880) – a painter & glazier journeyman (1851); a grocer (1871)     

Samuel died on 23 March 1867 at Newport, Monmouthshire.

Circuits

• 1825 Hopton Bank
• 1826 Worcester
• 1827 Shrewsbury
• 1828 went into business

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1867/679

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers