Maddocks, Phillip (1816-1906)
Transcription of Obituary in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by John P. Bellingham
Born at Sarn Bridge, Oswestry Circuit, December 16th, 1816, Rev. Philip Maddocks died at Caerphilly, Cardiff, October 29th, 1906, in his ninetieth year. His father opened his house for preaching services when Sarnbridge was missioned by the Oswestry Circuit in 1831, and a good society was formed. Converted in his father’s house Philip soon became a local preacher, and was sent to Ireland when quite a youth to labour on the Lisburn mission, where he had much success, but was compelled to return home by failure of health. Quickly recovering he commenced to labour on his native circuit, which was thirty miles in length.
Pledged by the Oswestry circuit in 1836 he was stationed at Birmingham. Afterwards he travelled in Tunstall, Richill, Congleton, Belfast, Lisburn (twice), Alderney, Jersey, Newtonards, Donoughmore, Paisley, Lancaster, Wrexham, Cardiff (twice), Gloucester, Maidstone and Chatham, and at the close of his second term at Cardiff he superannuated after a ministry of forty-one years.
Converted in the midst of a great revival Philip Maddocks’ ministry was marked by much fervour. Oswestry in those days had many mighty evangelists within its borders – John Wedgwood, James Nixon, and Joseph Maddocks, the “weeping prophet.” Wedgwood preached to immense congregations in the open air, and strong men fell to the ground under the power of the Gospel. James Nixon’s prayers, though often in the fewest words, moved the people strangely. When silent on his knees, such was his faith that men around him were all astir and sinners were saved. Some seventy years ago the writer at one of the great Camp Meetings was convinced of sin, and afterwards became familiar with such pioneers as Maddocks, Nixon, and Wedgwood.
Philip-Maddocks was a great power in the homes of the people. He was a most successful family visitor. When stationed at Worcester, where he was sent to labour by the Birmingham circuit, he was visited by Hugh Bourne, who spent a night with him and preached for him. By visitation Mr. Maddocks secured a crowded chapel and numbers were converted. He spent many years in pioneer work in Ireland, and at Portadown met Miss Beck, who had been converted on the mission. She made him a most devoted wife, and in the days of small salaries brought up a large family of sons and daughters. At Congleton Mr. Maddocks again had a visit from Hugh Bourne who preached at two Camp Meetings. At Wrexham he restored prosperity to a wrecked station; he erected three new chapels and received the thanks of the Missionary Committee for his services. On some of his stations he visited one hundred families a week.
Reference has already been made to our departed friend’s success in the erection of chapels. Four chapels were erected during his station at Nuneaton. He spent nine years at Cardiff; on his first appointment the mission was very feeble, but he erected a chapel at Severn Road, since enlarged. During his second term the membership increased by sixty-two, and the quarterly income by £11. Mount Tabor Chapel, a beautiful Gothic structure, was erected at a cost of over £4,000. Mr. J. Ramsdale gave £150, and Mr. Maddocks collected £1,000. During his superannuation Mr. Maddocks rendered yeoman service in the relief of distressed families during the winter, acting as the almoner of Messrs. J. and R. Cory. An attack of bronchitis somewhat suddenly terminated our aged brother’s career.
The funeral service at Mount Tabor was conducted by Revs. W. Carrier and R.W. Nelson, and an address was given by the writer on the life and work of the venerable saint. The service at the grave was conducted by Rev. W. Carrier.
“Who would not wish to die like those
Whom God’s own Spirit deigns to bless?
To sink into that soft repose
Then wake to perfect happiness.”
Family
Phillip was born on 16 December 1816 at Sarn Bridge, (Flintshire, now in the County of Wrexham), nr Malpas, Cheshire.
He married Miss Lucinda Beck (1819-1884) of Amargh, Ireland. Census records identify nine children.
- Mary Jane (b1842) – married John Walton James, a grocers traveller
- Elizabeth Ann (b1846)
- Theophilus (1848-1919) – an insurance broker
- Phillip (1850-1931) – a Primitive Methodist Minister (1868-1873) then an Anglican clergyman
- Fanny Wilson (1853-1924) – married George Jenkinson, a railway clerk
- Joseph Bourne (1855-1942) – a corn merchant and later brewery agent
- William Clowes (1856-1918) – a grain agent/broker
- Hannah Lucinda (1859-1932) – married Henry Gale, a school headmaster
- Ann Mary (1861-1873)
Phillip died on 29 October 1906 at Caerphilly, Glamorgan.
Circuits
- 1836 Birmingham
- 1839 Tunstall
- 1841 Congleton
- 1843 Belfast
- 1845 Lisburn
- 1846 Alderney
- 1849 Jersey
- 1850 Newtownards
- 1851 Donaghmore
- 1852 Lisburn
- 1854 Paisley
- 1857 Lancaster
- 1859 Wrexham
- 1862 Cardiff
- 1867 Gloucester
- 1870 Maidstone
- 1872 Cardiff
- 1876 Cardiff (Sup)
References
Primitive Methodist Magazine 1841/96; 1861; 1907/405
PM Minutes 1907/26
W Leary, Directory of Primitive Methodist Ministers and their Circuits, 1990
Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers
Comments about this page
My Great Grandfather George Jenkinson died in Portsmouth 1924 followed by my Great Grandmother Fannie Jenkinson in 1924,if anyone has a photo of him please contact me . Best regards Ron Jenkinson
Hi my great grandfather was George Jenkinson a Methodist minister; my grandfather was Victor Jenkinson.
I know George was also on the 1901 census in Portsmouth as a railway clerk, as my dad passed away 25 years ago and I we have no Photos of George or my great grandmother Fanny Jenkinson who was Irish at birth so if any relative has any photos or other information please email me.
Best regards Ronald Jenkinson
Hi my dads grandfather was George Jenkinson, his dad was Victor Jenkinson, we new George was a Methodist minister but not sure which church he preached in Portsmouth although he is listed as a clerk I would love more info on him with a photo.
Best regards Geoff
Leary’s index of PM Ministers lists a George Jenkinson with the following circuits.
His obituary includes a wonderful account of his arrest for preaching in the open air, in the early years of his ministry.
‘Whilst stationed at Coventry he missioned Nuneaton and was subjected to rough treatment. Taking his stand in the market place he commenced to sing ‘Jesus the name high over all.’
A constable came up and ordered him to stop. When he declined, the constable pulled him down, saying, ‘Now, my little man, go quietly home. I have been commanded to take you to the Black Hole Prison, but I do not wish to.’ The preacher thanked him for his kindly advice, remounted the stool and sang, ‘Jesus the name that charms our fears.’ Up came the head constable with his son, one of them promptly knocked him down and they marched him off to prison singing ‘Happy, if with my latest breath I may but gasp His name.’ Arriving at the prison he was asked if he had a licence, ‘Yes, I have two.’ ‘Here’s one, ‘Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.’ I pulled the other out of my pocket, held it up and shouted, ‘This one is from Queen Victoria.’ Being liberated he returned to the old spot with joy in his heart and a song on his lips ‘Jesus the prisoner’s fetters break.’
I am a descendant of Philip Maddocks through his daughter Fanny. She married George Jenkinson who although down on one census as a railway clerk,was in fact a Methodist minister as well with circuits in many different parts of the country including Liverpool, Wales and Portsmouth where he died. He was my father’s grandfather and my father was a Methodist minster as well! His name was Thomas Jenkinson Nelson, Preston and Liverpool. I was thrilled to read about Philip Maddocks and see the picture of him on your website. I do have more info on him if you are interested.
There is a George Jenkinson listed as a Primitive Methodist Minister. His circuits were Woodside (1871), Exeter (1872), Glasgow (1874), Hastings (1876), Portsmouth (1879), Liverpool I (1880), Southport II (1883), Buckley (1886), Chatham (1889), and Portsmouth (1892). W Leary lists him as ‘1894 disappears’ – this would make sense if he had died.
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