Roberts, John (1871-1928)

Ministry

A transcription of obituary published in the Minutes of Conference by W.W. is attached. The writer summarises his character as follows.

“A man of intense spirituality, with wonderful insight into the truth and gifted with the power of ready utterance, he ministered with profit to his own people, and in an extraordinary degree appealed to the man in the street. He had the joy of turning many to righteousness.

Of very special mention, was his marvellous power of prayer. The Heavens were opened, and God, life and immortality became very real as he laid bare his soul in prayer.

Great as was the service he rendered to his Church, the man was the greatest of all. A man of distinctive individuality, with a capacity for loyal friendship, possessing a large sympathetic nature, a Greatheart among his brother ministers. He was the life and soul of any company in which he found himself. All were conscious of his personal charm.”

Family

John was born abt1871 at Altami, nr. Buckley, Flintshire.

He married Ethelwyn Bryant (1872-1977) in the summer of 1902 at Stony Stratford, Buckinghamshire. Census returns identify two children.

• John Elvet (1903-1984) – a school teacher (1939)                 
• Donald Whitby (1905-2000) – a solicitor (1939)         

John died in June 1928 at Marple, Cheshire.

Circuits

• 1898 Chichester
• 1899 Plymouth
• 1900 Unsworth
• 1901 Oldham
• 1905 Tarporley
• 1910 Earlstown
• 1915 Buxton
• 1919 Halifax II
• 1924 Marple

References

PM Minutes 19929/283

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers