Stafford, Luke (1834-1923)

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1895
Primitive Methodist Magazine 1924
Amanda Stafford nee Winder
Primitive Methodist Magazine 1907

Early years

Luke was born on 3 July 1834 at Woodley, Cheshire to parents Henry Stafford and Charlotte Chapman. Luke was baptised on 24 July 1834 at Ebeneezer PM Chapel, Stockport.

Henry was an overlooker of winder, cotton in 1851. Henry was a Primitive Methodist, class leader, Sunday School Superintendent and local preacher.

Luke did not go to school until he was eleven and then it was only half-time as he also had to work.

He worked as a power loom weaver of cotton before entering the ministry.

Luke was converted when aged 14.

Ministry

Luke’s health broke down in 1863 at Ashton under Lyne induced by labours among the sufferers of the Lancashire cotton famine. He briefly spent time at Ramsgate and Gloucester, but in 1866 he had to superannuate. He started a drapery business in Hyde until 1872. During this time he also spent a year as a schoolmaster at Newton Moor in a school of the United Methodist Free Church. In 1871 he received an invitation from Alston, which confirmed his fitness to return to the itinerant ministry at Newry in 1873.

Luke was elected a Deed Poll member of conference in 1912.

Family

Luke married Martha Heginbotham (1833-1896) in the spring of 1860 at Stockport, Cheshire. Census returns identify three children.

  • William Henry (1861-1908) – an accountant
  • Jessie (1864-1918) – married Ralph Lowery, a commercial traveller (provisions)
  • Miriam (b1867) – married Herbert Robinson, an insurance manager (1901), later an iron monger (1911)

Luke married Amanda Winder (1851-1906) in the summer of 1897 at Dewsbury, Yorkshire.

Luke married Annie Martin (b1855) in the summer of 1907 at Scarborough, Yorkshire. Annie was the adopted daughter of Rev Thomas Rushworth.

Luke died on 15 April 1923 at Berthengram, nr Holywell, Flintshire.

Circuits

  • 1855 Northwich
  • 1856 Rochdale
  • 1857 Douglas
  • 1858 Manchester II
  • 1859 Preston
  • 1861 Stalybridge
  • 1864 Ramsgate
  • 1865 Gloucester
  • 1868 Stalybridge
  • 1872 Newry
  • 1875 Penrith
  • 1879 Spenymoor
  • 1882 Helmsley
  • 1885 Knaresborough
  • 1888 York II
  • 1891 Southampton II
  • 1894 Baldock
  • 1895 Wellingborough
  • 1898 Reading
  • 1900 Bradfield
  • 1903 Knaresborough (S)

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1899/145 (Martha); 1895/642; 1907/657 (Amanda); 1924/585

PM Minutes 1923/280

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

 

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