Markwell, Thomas (1843-1921)

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1902

Early years

Thomas was born in 1843 at Barnsley, Yorkshire to parents William and Sarah. William was a linen weaver.

Thomas was a third generation Primitive Methodist. He was converted at the age of seventeen. His conversion was attributed to home influence and the efforts of Sunday school teachers. Thomas started to teach in Sunday school, but within six months of his conversion he received a note to preach. In 1864, Thomas became a hired local preacher in the Bradford circuit.

Thomas operated a linen power loom before entering the ministry.

Ministry

Thomas was Building Committee Secretary for five years in the Carlisle and Whitehaven District. Later he was Missionary Secretary to the Bradford and Halifax District.

Much time was spent on his circuits in pastoral visiting. The most remote or the smallest place received due oversight and attention in this regard. He was a very tactful and welcome pastor, and much of the success which attended his circuit work was due to his faithfulness and kindliness as a visitor in the homes of the people.

The Manx Quarterley recorded that Mr Markwell’s preaching talents were not of the first order and they had not been improved by the education which is nowadays the privilege of students for the Primitive Methodist ministry: but, he was an industrious, tactful, sincere, and capable pastor and administrator, and he “wore well” in all his circuits. So long as health permitted, he gave assistance to the Douglas ministers during his retirement, and he was at one time ministerial secretary of the Isle of Man Free Church Council.

Family

Thomas married Mary Ann Warters (1840-1925) in the summer of 1869 at Malton, Yorkshire. Thomas’ obituary records that Mary lost most of the use of her right hand through dye-poisoning while knitting during WW1.

Thomas died on 2 October 1921 at Douglas, Isle of Man. His funeral took place in Barnsley.

Circuits

  • 1865 Malton
  • 1867 Knaresborough
  • 1869 Leeds III
  • 1871 Keighley
  • 1873 Colne
  • 1876 Barrowford
  • 1877 Malton
  • 1880 Preston I
  • 1883 Douglas I
  • 1886 Blackburn I
  • 1889 Whitehaven
  • 1894 Manchester VIII
  • 1897 Otley
  • 1900 Halifax
  • 1902 Malton
  • 1905 Barnsley
  • 1908 Douglas (Sup)

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1902/243

PM Minutes 1922/273

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

Manx Quarterly Vol 22, 1922

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

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