Simmonds, Mark (1836-1911)

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1912

Ministry

A transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by G.E. Butt is attached. He writes of Mark’s ministry as follows.

“He moved among the people with gracious ease and dignity, and they had great confidence in his judgment and counsel. His preaching was above the average, fresh, suggestive, and deeply spiritual. He did not feel at home at “specials,” but among his own people and in the quiet work of his station he greatly excelled. He had a philosophical cast of mind, and held his convictions and, even his opinions, with great tenacity; but he claimed in this respect no right for himself which he did not freely extend to others. His charity often bore the stamp of personal sacrifice, and many of the Lord’s poor were blest by his bounty. In all his circuits he is remembered and honoured as an able and faithful minister.”

Family

Mark was born on 3 March 1836 at Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire, to parents Cornelius and Sarah. He was baptised on 22 May 1836 at Wootton Bassett.

The 1851 census return records Mark as a tailor’s apprentice.

He married Mary Hannah Manley (abt1828-1872)  in the summer of 1863 at Southampton, Hampshire. Census returns identify one child.

Emily Annie (b1865)  

He married Mary Ann Coxe (1843-1916) in the summer of 1873 at Reading, Berkshire. Census returns identify four children.

  • Ada Mary (1875-1948) – married George Forstner, a PM minister, in 1900
  • Sarah Edith (1877-1857) – married Robert Robinson, a PM minister, in 1901
  • Hannah Sophia (abt1879-1956) – a teacher (1911)    
  • Eleanor Ann (1881-1963) – a teacher (1911); married Ernest W Butler, chief structural engineer, Office of work (1939), in 1913      

Mark died on 13 December 1911 at Plumstead, Woolwich, London.

Circuits

  • 1860 Southampton
  • 1862 Basingstoke
  • 1863 Motcombe
  • 1866 Aylesbury
  • 1868 Witney
  • 1871 Chipping Norton
  • 1874 Cirencester
  • 1876 Reading
  • 1884 Plumstead
  • 1887 Tottenham
  • 1896 Woolwich (Sup)

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1912/572

PM Minutes 1912/31

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

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