Pritchards, Isaiah (1841-1867)

Ministry

A transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by Richard Tanfield is attached. Of his leaving home to commence his ministry in Leeds, Tanfield writes as follows.

“Such was the esteem in which our departed friend was held by the young people of the Sunday school and society at Oakengates, that when it was known he was about to leave home a flood of affectionate regret was poured forth by them; as a substantial proof of their respect and affection, they subscribed and presented him with a Commentary on the Scriptures in 3 vols., the best credential he could have taken away with him. We shall not soon forget his entry into Leeds 2nd circuit. He was about the middle stature, but very sparely built; his face was of the thin and oval form, indicating mental activity; he was very juvenile in appearance, looking more like a youth of eighteen summers than a man of twenty-three years, yet there was an expression of sober thoughtfulness in his face, and of dignified modesty and propriety in his speech and manners that convinced us he was no child in sagacity, and he had not been long with us before it was seen and felt that he was no novice, but, considering his years, a scribe well instructed. Although somewhat reserved and shy on entering the ministry, that shyness gradually gave place to a genial sociability, and yet there was nothing trifling or frothy about him at any time. Sobriety chastened all his cheerfulness and wisdom and purity directed it.”

Family

Isaiah was born on 24 January1841 at Coalpit Bank, Wombridge, Shropshire, to parents Richard, a coal miner, and Mary.

Isaiah died on 2 January 1867 at Sheffield, Yorkshire.

Circuits

• 1865 Leeds II
• 1866 Clayton West

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1867/294

PM Minutes 1867/10

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers