Matfin, John (1809-1873)

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1854
Copy provided by Steven Carter

Early years

John was born on 5 November 1809 at Newcastle upon Tyne, to parents John Matfin and Jane Rolley. He was baptised on 27 August 1810 at Newcastle upon Tyne. John’s parents were described as ungodly and given to intemperance.

John was converted in Sallyport Chapel in 1824. He sold a pet terrier dog and other possessions of amusement to buy a PM hymnbook. John went on the plan in March 1828.

Ministry

John superannuated in 1866; the reason given was excessive walking and toil in the ministry. this ultimately brought on rupture of the kidneys.

His obituary records that as a preacher he was solemn, practical, and eminently in earnest; his unctuous appeals were often arousing.

Family

He married Mary Nowles (1800-1878) on 30 Jun 1835 at Bradford, Yorkshire. Census records identify three children.

  • AnnNowles (1836-1906) – married Thomas Parsons, a PM Minister
  • Jane Rollin (1838-1907) – married Edward Cairns, a PM Minister
  • Mary Nowles (1839-1923) – married George Eggleston Hope, a pattern maker

John died on 15 April 1873 at Birkenhead, Cheshire.

Circuits

  • 1830 Ripon (6 mths)
  • 1830 Darlington (6 mths)
  • 1831 N Shields
  • 1832 Berwick
  • 1833 Bradford
  • 1835 Hull
  • 1838 Pocklington
  • 1839 Malton
  • 1840 Swinefleet
  • 1842 Whitby
  • 1844 Berwick
  • 1845 S Shields
  • 1846 Darlington
  • 1847 Alloa
  • 1848 Sunderland
  • 1851 Guisborough
  • 1852 Stockton
  • 1854 Durham
  • 1857 Blyth
  • 1860 Westgate
  • 1863 Durham
  • 1866 Durham (Sup)

References

The Primitive Methodist, 1854/193 (portrait); 1874/175; 1879/118 (wife)

PM Minutes 1873/10

H B Kendall, Origin and History of the PM Church, vol 1, p191

W M Patterson, Northern Primitive Methodism, 1909

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

 

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