Peake, George (1822-1893)

Ministry

A transcription of the obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by Arthur S. Peake  is attached. he writes as follows.

“The most striking feature of his character was its wonderful sweetness and gentleness. This impressed all who came in contact with him. His temper was even and unruffled, and his life was marked by constant peace and serenity. Such a type of character is too often marred by weakness and lack of virility. He was saved from this by his unflinching rectitude. While always a lover of peace, and gentle in all his conduct, he was firm in his adherence to what he felt to be right. Nor was this, as it sometimes is, simply exhibited in his relations with strangers. He was just the same in his home-life. One of his daughters says of him, ‘He was a most kind, loving, and just father, never. demonstrative, but always most anxious for our well-being both spiritually and morally; and we who lived with him never knew him to do a dishonourable action or speak a wrong word.” 

In his ministerial labours he gave himself ungrudgingly to his work as far as strength permitted. He was deeply beloved and respected by his people, who derived much benefit from his ministrations. As a preacher he was not showy, but plain, practical and experimental. His aim was not to win a great reputation for himself, but to bring men to Christ and strengthen believers in faith and holy living. In this he was very successful. His sermons were quiet, and in no way sensational, but warm and earnest, rooted in his own experience and loving study of the Bible. But the consistency of his own life was always a sermon in itself, and lent force to the words he spoke from the pulpit.” 

Family

George was born on 13 October 1822 at Wheaton Aston, Staffordshire, to parents Benjamin and Susannah. He was baptised on 17 November 1822 at Brewood, Staffordshire.

He married Sarah Edwards (1832-1887) in early 1856 in the Market Drayton Registration District. Census returns identify six children.

• Sarah Jane (1856-1921) – married Henry Jones, an iron turner at railway works (1891),
• Annetta Davis (1858-   Foleshill, Warwicks
• Jabal Henry (1860-1885) – a carpenter (1881)  
• Eva May (1863-1935) – a pupil teacher (1881); married John Watts, a PM minister, in 1885
• Emily Mary (1864-1871)
• Ernest George (1868-1871)

George died on 7 November 1893 at Crewe, Cheshire.

Circuits

• 1849 Wrockwardinewood (18 mths)
• 1850 Dawley (6 mths)
• 1851 W Bromwich
• 1853 Tunstall
• 1854 Market Drayton
• 1856 Ramsor
• 1858 Cwm
• 1859 Burland
• 1861 Darlaston
• 1862 Whitchurch
• 1866 Nantwich &c (S)
• 1877 Crewe (Ac)
• 1878 Rhosymedre
• 1881 Knighton
• 1883 Leominster
• 1884 Crewe (Sup)

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1894/942

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers