Oscroft, John (1797-1869)

zoom

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1861

Copy provided by Steven Carter

John was born on 27 July 1797 in Hull.

Conversion

Kendall relates that John heard the preaching of James Moss on 4 January 1818 at Hucknall Torkard.

‘There the word took fast hold of him, and though his companions got him away to a public house as men carry off a wounded comrade that he might not fall into the enemy’s hands, he was so conscience stricken that strong drink proved no anodyne,, and he escaped from his would-be rescuers, and found relief and pardon while making his way home.’

Ministry

In 1821, John Oscroft and Thomas Charlton were sent by the Nottingham circuit to mission the Kings Lynn area. Kendall reports that the work was initially very successful. In April 1822 a plan was printed that identified 57 places at which preaching took place. Sadly things declined after John moved on and W G Belham began anew in 1825. The cause of the decline was put down by Hugh Bourne to the ‘employment of improper persons’

Family

By 1841 John was married to  Elizabeth (1798-1877). Census records identify only one daughter, Hannah born abt 1835.

John died on 8 September 1869 at Kings Lynn.

Circuits

• 1822 Nottingham
• 1825 Fakenham
• 1827 Norwich
• 1828 Cambridge
• 1829 Lynn
• 1831 London
• 1835 Halifax
• 1836 Knowlwood
• 1837 Malton
• 1839 Leeds
• 1840 Otley
• 1841 Pontefract
• 1843 Ramsgate
• 1845 Sheerness
• 1846 Manchester
• 1848 Warrington
• 1850 Oldham
• 1853 Liverpool
• 1856 Preston
• 1858 Douglas
• 1860 Bolton
• 1862 Blackburn
• 1865 Rochdale
• 1867 Lynn (Sup)

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1861/641; 1913

PM Minutes 1770/7

H B Kendall, Origin and History of the PM Church, vol 1, p243; vol 2, p218

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers