Rich, John (1809-1887)

Transcription of obituary published in the Minutes of Conference by R. Ducker

JOHN RICH was born in a village near Penzance, in the year 1809. In early life he came to reside in the neighbourhood of St. Austell, where he heard the word of God preached by our missionaries and was converted. He at once united with our people, and made such progress, both in religion and general knowledge, that he received a call to travel in the Redruth Circuit in 1831. 

For twenty-five years he laboured hard and had a fair share of success in the salvation of souls. His health failed in 1857, and he was obliged to ask for superannuation. Not having a home of his own, he came to reside with his friends at Par Green, in St. Austell Circuit. He was a liberal man, and often, we fear, neglected himself that he might do others good. He was made a great blessing to our people at St. Blazey, both as a preacher and class-leader. 

For the last two years he has suffered much in his head, and could seldom attend the means of grace; but he was remarkably patient and resigned to the will of his Heavenly Father. We saw him a few times in his last attack of sickness, and found him happy, trusting in the Lord Jesus as his only hope.

He departed this life on the 19th of January, 1887, aged seventy-eight. His remains were taken to St. Blazey Gate church-yard by his class members from St. Blazey. May they meet him in heaven.

Family

John was born in 1809 at St. Hilary, nr. Penzance, Cornwall, parents Thomas Rich and Mary Martyn. He was baptised on 2 April 1909 at St Hilary.

He retired eventually to Tywardreath, St Austell, Cornwall and lived with his sister, Mary Martyn Phillips.

John did not marry.

John died on 19 January 1887 at St. Austell.

Circuits

• 1832 Presteign
• 1833 Cwm
• 1834 Shrewsbury
• 1835 Tunstall
• 1836 Kidderminster
• 1837 Ludlow
• 1840 Birmingham
• 1842 Newport
• 1843 Stafford
• 1844 Dudley
• 1845 Darlaston
• 1846 Oswestry
• 1847 Bishop’s Castle
• 1849 Leominster
• 1850 Worcester
• 1852 Market Drayton
• 1854 Tunstall
• 1857 Tunstall (S)
• 1858 Worcester
• 1860 St Austell

References

PM Minutes 1887/8

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers