Rushworth, Thomas (1839-1892)

Ministry

A transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by J Ayrton is attached. He records the witness of the Rev. A. McKechnie, who knew Mr. Rushworth from the time of conversion; being stationed in the Bingley circuit when that event occurred. He says:
‘I perceived in him at that time,
‘1. Good intellectual powers.
‘2. Excellent ready utterance.
‘3. Deep, earnest, steady-growing piety.
‘4. A settled purpose to work for God in every way that opened before him.
‘These good qualities decided me to select him for the ministry.’

Mr. McKechnie adds that all he has known of Mr. Rushworth since has confirmed his opinion as first formed.

Aryton continues:- “His business abilities were good—both in financial and general official work. And in connection with this his non-ambitiousness must be noted. Whilst quite willing to take his share of extra official work, (in 1888 he sustained the office of General Committee Delegate at district meeting, and was thrice delegated to Conference) he was not only willing, but glad to, see his brethren share the ‘honours.’ Further, he had that kind of ability, that when he had weighty or difficult matters on the way, showed itself in the cautiousness of seeking counsel of his ministerial brethren. This the present writer can testify.  ‘In the multitude of  counsellors there is safety.’ “

Family

Thomas was born on 19 February 1839 at Denholme Clough, Yorkshire, to mother Elizabeth Rushworth.

He married Ann Elizabeth Fryer (1842-1909 in the summer of 1867 at Pickering, Yorkshire.

Thomas died on 27 April 1892 at Wooldale, nr Huddersfield, Yorkshire. He was buried at Denholme, nr. Bradford, Yorkshire.

Circuits

• 1863 Clayton West
• 1864 Knaresborough
• 1866 Pickering
• 1868 Burnley
• 1871 Colne
• 1873 Shipley
• 1874 Silsden
• 1877 Easingwold
• 1880 Malton
• 1882 Wakefield I
• 1885 Sowerby Bridge
• 1888 Scholes

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1893/241

PM Minutes 1892/21

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers