Prouton, James (1864-1934)

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1919
Primitive Methodist Magazine 1919

Early years

James was born in 1864 at West Heath, Hampshire to parents Joseph and Kezia. Joseph was a brick burner (1881).

James was one of thirteen children; he soon had to leave school and start work to aid the family budget. The 1881 census shows James working as a gardener.

James was converted at the age of seventeen under the ministry of Rev Robert Reeve during a revival at Quick’s Green, Berkshire.

Ministry

With the exception of four years at Alford, all of James ministry was exercised within East Anglia.

His obituary records that James was especially well-known and beloved in Norfolk as an untiring and peace-loving minister. His sincere and genial personality won the affection of young people, the loyal co-operation of Christian workers, and the esteem of all who knew him. His sermons, thoroughly evangelical and persuasive, made lasting impressions for good on many hearts and lives.

After superannuation, James rendered most willing and valuable service in the Swaffham circuit.

Family

James married Sarah Ann James (abt1867-1949) in the summer of 1894 at Southwark, London. Census returns identify six children.

  • Lily Agnes (1895-1962) – married Percy Charles Cadamy, a PM Minister, in 1927
  • Clara Rose (1896-1983) – married Leonard John D Barmby, a PM Minister, in 1929
  • Grace Hilda (1898-1985) – married Reginald Beverley Large, a PM Minister, in 1932
  • Dora Gertrude (1900-1988) – married James E North in 1950
  • James Clifford (1905-1994) – a schoolteacher (1934)
  • Olive Florence (1905-1985)

James died on 21 May 1934 at Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.

Circuits

  • 1890 Wangford
  • 1892 Beccles
  • 1893 Bungay
  • 1894 Kelsale
  • 1897 St Ives, Hunts
  • 1900 Diss
  • 1903 Swaffham
  • 1908 Alford
  • 1912 Briston
  • 1918 Wells next Sea
  • 1922 Swaffham
  • 1923 Kings Lynn
  • 1931 Swaffham (Sup)

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1919/856

Methodist Minutes 1934/220

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

Comments about this page

  • Shirley,
    Thank you for pointing out the typo. I have corrected the name on the page.

    By Geoff Dickinson (24/04/2023)
  • His mother’s name should be Kezia.

    By Shirley (23/04/2023)

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