Ministry
A transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by William Ireland is attached.
Ireland sums up his character in the following. “As a man, our own testimony, and that of others who knew him well and long, is, that he was true, faithful, honest, and upright, and without doubt, in those noble traits of character which constitute a man in the true sense of the term, our late brother had but few equals. One of his friends who had ample opportunity of knowing him says, “He was a firmly attached friend; one who would in the day of adversity give practical proof of his frendship; his was manhood sanctified by Divine grace.” As a man we do not say that he was without faults, but some of these “leaned to the side of virtue.”
As a husband, he was kind and affectionate, and his removal is a heavy affliction to his dear wife. May the Almighty support her under her heavy load of sorrow. As a parent, he fondly loved his children, but not so.as to make them idols. He was earnestly solicitous to train them in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, so that if they arrived at maturity they should become useful members of society, and of the Church of Christ. It is our earnest desire that his cherished hopes in this respect may be realized. As a Christian, we believe he loved the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, and that he loved his fellowmen, was evident from the sacrifices he made to promote their salvation; that he loved his brethren of the household of faith, we know, as it was at all times his earnest endeavour to promote peace, unity, and brotherly love among us, and that not unsuccessfully. As a Christian minister, he sought rightly to divide the word of truth, to declare the whole counsel of God; and while it was his delight to expatiate upon the blessings of Christianity, and thereby encourage the timid and cheer the weary and downcast, he considered it to be his duty to declare the terrible judgments of God denounced against those who remain impenitent. Like a good shepherd, he sought to lead the flock of Christ; while he “allured to brighter worlds,” he led the way. He felt at all times his need of Divine aid in the discharge of his ministerial duties, especially in his public ministrations, and it was his invariable practice to retire for private prayer before entering the pulpit.”
Family
William was born on 15 July 1819 at Oxton, Nottinghamshire, to parents Robert Martin, a labourer, and Mary Bowman. He was baptised on 22 July at St Peter & St Paul, Oxton.
He married Caroline Horlock (abt1821-1865) in the summer of 1850 on the Isle of Wight. Census returns identify three children.
- Owen (1852-1923) – a joiner’s apprentice (1871); emigrated to Canada
- Llewelyn (1853-1916) – emigrated to Canada; a tinsmith (1901)
- William (b1856)
William died on 14 September 1859 at Macclesfield, Cheshire.
Caroline worked as a dress and straw bonnet maker after William died.
Circuits
- 1846 Isle of Wight
- 1847 Bideford
- 1848 Lurgan
- 1851 Newtown
- 1854 Bridgewater
- 1856 Presteigne
- 1857 not shown
- 1858 Macclesfield
References
Primitive Methodist Magazine 1860/15
PM Minutes 1860/7
W Leary, Directory of Primitive Methodist Ministers and their Circuits, 1990
Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers
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