Meredith, Thomas (1833-1869)

Ministry

A transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by John Slater is attached. Slater comments as follows regarding his prayer-life, preaching and pastoral work.

He was a man of much prayer.—His closet was a favourite retreat, and could it speak it would tell of wondrous struggles and glorious victories, of foes vanquished, and battles won. He went from his closet to the means of grace, and carried with him an unction that proved “he had been with Jesus.” Three times a day the family altar was reared, and morning, noon, and night, the voice of praise and prayer went up to heaven. The social means of grace, the class, band, and prayer meetings were well supported by him.

He was an excellent preacher.—He was not a popular preacher, in the general sense of that term, but he was a useful one; his aim was the instruction, salvation, and edification of his hearers, and how far he succeeded eternity alone will declare. He did not preach to tickle the ear and please the fancy, but to enlighten the understanding and affect the heart. His engagements were faithfully and punctually fulfilled.

He was a good pastor. —The complaint that the minister is only seen in the pulpit could not justly be urged against him. He looked well to the flock, “over which the Holy Ghost had made him overseer.” While the sick and dying received special attention, the rest of the people were not neglected. He did not visit simply to meet the requirements of rule; he often visited more than rule required. Nor were his visits confined to members of society, he visited sinners as well as saints, or to his own people. ‘His name is revered by people beyond the pale of our Connexion, who were favoured with his visits, and blest by his prayers.” 

Family

Thomas was born on 30 December 1833 at Leintwardine, Herefordshire, to parents William, a master baker and confectioner (1851), and Martha.

Before entering the ministry Thomas worked as a shopman (1851).

He married Elizabeth Ann Chubb (1839-1924) on 25 June 1863 at Tilston, Cheshire. Elizabeth was a daughter of Rev. William Chubb. Census returns identify four children.

• William Chubb (1864-1910) – a schoolmaster                      
• Thomas Samuel (1866-1935) – a draper’s assistant (1891)
• George Frederick (1867-1947) – a china and fancy goods dealer (1911)
• Charles Whitfield (1869-1947)  – died at Somerset, East Cape South Africa            

Thomas died on 20 June 1869 at Bradwell, Derbyshire.

Circuits

• 1858 Manchester I
• 1859 Knowlwood
• 1860 Manchester I
• 1861 Manchester II
• 1865 Stockport
• 1867 Bradwell

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1870/295

PM Minutes 1870/6

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers