Nettleton, Samuel (1815-1877)

Ministry

A transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by F.P is attached. It includes the following paragraphs by his first superintendent minister, Rev. W. Lister.

‘My acquaintance with him began in the month of May, 1887. That was my second year on the Ripon Station, As several villages had been visited by us, it became necessary that our number of labourers should be increased, so Mr, Nettloton was called into the ministry on the recommendation of the authorities of the Tadcaster Circuit. He was then a strong muscular young man, twenty-two years of age, decidedly pious, full of zeal, deeply in earnest for the conversion of sinners. He entered on his work with an enthusiastic desire to gain that object. His was more heart than brain power, his intellectual attainments being rather circumscribed. He nevertheless strove to attain a clear understanding of the truth he was now set apart to propagate, and so to arrange his ideas as best to be useful and acceptable. But his forte was earnest prayer and communion with God. Heaven’s blessing followed his efforts, so that he frequently, after finishing his round on the circuit, had to tell when we met of battles fought and victories won. An extensive revival of religion went through the station. The societies rose in faith and power, scores of sinners were converted. The efforts put forth by our late brother, joined with those of the late Joseph Spoor, who was a colleague with us, were the principal means of spreading that work.’

‘In all my dealings with him, I found him of a gentle spirit, truthful, upright as a man, pious and devoted as a Christian, an agreeable and laborious colleague, and useful in bringing souls to the Saviour.’

Family

Samuel was born on 17 November 1815 at Saxton, Yorkshire, to parents George and Elizabeth. He was baptised on 1 December 1815 at Saxton in Elmet, Yorkshire.

After leaving the ministry Samuel became a grocer in Hartlepool, Co. Durham (1861). On moving to Stokesley, Yorkshire, he farmed 22 acres (1871)

Samuel married Ellenor Outhwiate (1816-1899) on 8 July 1841 at Bolton upon Swale, Yorkshire. Census returns identify seven children.

• George Outhwaite (1842-1858)                
• Margaret (b abt1844) – not identified after 1861 census                
• Thomas (1846-1908)   – a butcher                  
• Philip Henry (1851-1924) – a butcher & gardener (1911)              
• John William (b1853) – a butcher (1901)          
• Charles Frederick (1856-1901) – a chemical works labourer (1881); a coal dealer (1901)
• George Outhwaite (1860-1928) – a farmer  

Samuel died on 25 November 1877 at Stokesley, Yorkshire.

Circuits

• 1837 Ripon
• 1838 Middleham
• 1839 Brompton
• 1840 Berwick
• 1842 S Shields
• 1844 Newcastle
• 1845 Brough
• 1847 Darlington
• 1849 Carlisle
• 1852 Stokesley
• 1854 Stockton
• 1856 N Shields
• 1857 resigned

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1879/306

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers