Smith, George (1827-1895)

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1879
Primitive Methodist Magazine 1885
Watch 'Presented to Revd G Smith as a token of the esteem in which he is held by the Primitive Methodists in Bolton 25th Dec 1867'
Bruno Russel

Early years

George was born on 14 January 1827 at Hogsthorpe, Lincolnshire.

Before his conversion, George had been attending both Wesleyan and established church services. He was converted through the ministry of James R Parkinson in 1847/8. Within a few months his name appeared on the plan. In 1849, George left Hogsthorpe to become under gardener at Ravesby Abbey, the residence of Banks Stanhope Esq. MP. In 1850, he was called into ministry by the Horncastle circuit.

Ministry

George’s obituary records that he was a quiet, steady, unassuming but intelligent Christian worker from the beginning to the end of his ministerial career.

He was instrumental in building chapels in Northwich, Pemberton (near Wigan) and in Peel. He also purchased a Baptist chapel at Moor Lane, Bolton for use by the Primitive Methodists. He did not feel any special call to building works but when required just got on with it.

He was a plain, earnest and understandable preacher; he meant what he said and said what he meant.

Family

George married Ann Green (b abt1828) in the summer of 1856 in the Caister Registration District, Lincolnshire. Census returns identify five children.

  • Hannah Maria (1857-1915) – married Henry Teare, a ships chandler
  • Sophia Elizabeth (1859-1905) – a teacher
  • William Green (1861-1882) – a bank clerk
  • Frederick (b1864) – collector of the poor rates and assistant overseer in 1911
  • Edgar (1868-1920) – a chemist

George died on 24 October 1895 at Tranent, East Lothian.

Circuits

  • 1851 Douglas
  • 1852 Haslingden
  • 1853 Bradwell
  • 1854 Manchester lll
  • 1855 Bacup
  • 1858 Ramsey
  • 1861 Knowlwood
  • 1863 Northwich
  • 1865 Bolton
  • 1868 Glossop
  • 1871 Wigan
  • 1874 Peel
  • 1879 Lancaster
  • 1882 Bradwell
  • 1886 Skelmersdale
  • 1888 Mexbrough
  • 1891 St Neots
  • 1894 Tranent

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1879 (portrait); 1885/129 (portrait); 1896/704; 1906/153 (Sophia)

PM Minutes 1896/30

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

 

Note:  There was another George Smith (1835-1897) who was a PM minister in the 1850-1890 timeframe. Leary ascribes both of the portraits in the Primitive Methodist Magazine, 1879 and 1885, to George Smith (1827-1895).

 

Comments about this page

  • Geoff, I have an interest in Bolton and in Bolton Watches, are you able to confirm the makers details please?
    Thank you.

    By Denis McCann (21/09/2022)
  • Many thanks for the photos of the watch which have now been added to the page. It is a fascinating insight into how much his ministry was valued by the Primitive Methodist society in Bolton.

    By Jill Barber (23/03/2017)
  • I know someone who has a watch given to Rev George Smith by his congregation in Bolton in 1867, if you are interested.

    By Sue Hurst (22/03/2017)
  • Sue,

    It would be great if they could send in some photos of the watch to add to the page. Please have any photos sent to the Englesea Brook Museum and I can add them to the page.

    By Geoff Dickinson (22/03/2017)
  • I found a wedding Bible at auction in Holland. It registers marriage of William Smith x Margaret Smith on July 10th 1880. Their son Thomas, born May 27th 1882, lost his life in the Great War. His mane is on the scroll of commemoration, enclosed in Bible.

    William Smith is registered under ‘Deaths’ April 27th 1901.

    A second marriage is registered : Peter Booke X Margaret Booke (Margaret remarrying ???) Dec 27th 1902.

    Could you please trace any surviving  relatives??

    I so much would like to find surviving relatives and hand them the family Bible and Scroll of Commemoration.

    By Loeke Stok(mrs) (26/08/2015)
  • Geoff Thank you for your work on this which I found by chance searching Henry Teare of Peel. Henry and Hannah Maria were my great grandfather/grandmother and as far as I know at the moment Hannah Maria was the only child of George Smith to marry. I have a copy of the 1879 picture which was in a family bible given to Henry and Hannah Maria on their marriage. Happy to give you more details if of interest Regards Mike

    By Michael Teare (29/06/2013)
  • Michael, Thanks for your comment. Please add any further information about George that you are able to share as a further comment to this page.

    By Geoff Dickinson (29/06/2013)

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