Stockdale, Christopher (1836-1898)

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1888

Early years

Christopher was born in 1836 at Thirsk, Yorkshire to parents John Stockdale and Ann Ward. He was baptised on 14 September 1836 at Thirsk. John was a cordwainer.

Although his parents were Primitive Methodists, Christopher was brought up by his Wesleyan grand-parents. He attended the Wesleyan Sunday school and was a member of the chapel choir.

Christopher was converted aged 17 and soon became a local preacher. He was appointed as a hired local preacher in his own circuit in 1858.

Ministry

Christopher’s obituary records that he was a man of indomitable energy and very strong will. He had a passion for his ministerial work. The saving of souls was not a mere sentiment with him, it was a passionate longing.

He lived a very prayerful life, and was in every sense a good man, and a very successful minister. His sermons were above average and always delivered by a man who felt that he had a message from God to deliver to dying men. He was a successful soul winner, hundreds having been brought to God through his instrumentality. In him the sick and poor had a faithful pastor and tender friend.

Family

Christopher married Mary Hannah Pickering (1838-1865) on 22 February 1864 at Pateley Bridge, Yorkshire.

Christopher married Elizabeth Annie Tomlinson (1840-1910) on 23 October 1867at George Street Wesleyan Chapel, Hulme, Lancashire. James Macpherson officiated in the presence of the Registrar.  Census returns identify six children.

  • Annie Maria (1868-1949) – a schoolteacher
  • Jane Elizabeth (1870-1871)
  • Mary Hannah (1872-1924)
  • Minnie (1874-1916) – a schoolteacher; married Charles Dymott
  • Christopher Henry (1876-1955) – an Anglican clergyman
  • Lavinia Maude (1877-1969) – married John Miles Johnson, a PM Minister

Christopher died on 21 August 1898 at Southampton, Hampshire.

Circuits

  • 1859 Dewsbury
  • 1860 Malton
  • 1862 Pateley Bridge
  • 1864 Halifax
  • 1866 Burnley
  • 1868 Silsden
  • 1869 Horbury
  • 1871 Ripon
  • 1873 York
  • 1875 Knaresborough
  • 1878 Barnsley
  • 1881 St Ives
  • 1882 Bristol lll
  • 1885 Brynmawr
  • 1887 Kingswood
  • 1889 Bristol lV
  • 1890 York l
  • 1893 Swindon l
  • 1896 Southampton ll
  • 1898 Southampton (S)

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1867/42 (Mary); 1888 (portrait); 1899/227; 1911/242 (Elizabeth Annie)

PM Minutes 1899/21

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

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