Sandford, Thomas (1874-1951)

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1930
Primitive Methodist Magazine 1930

Early years

Thomas was born in 1874 at Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, to parents Henry and Sarah. Henry was a nail forger.

After leaving school Thomas began work at the carriage works of the Midland Railway. His spiritual history owed much to a very vivid conversion. The glow, which came with that great experience, never left him. Every part of his nature was influenced. Mentally he was quickened. An insatiable thirst for knowledge possessed him. He read widely and eagerly. He was soon put to the work of preaching by the Quarterly Meeting.

Later he heard the call to ‘leave all’ for the Gospel’s sake. He served in many centres as an Evangelist, then as a District Evangelist and later as a hired local preacher. His native circuit recommended him for ministry.

Ministry

His obituary records that he was a faithful pastor and also a gifted and effective preacher. He read widely, and with originality of mind he stimulated and enriched his hearers by his exposition of the Scriptures and his proclamation of the great themes of the Christian faith. With evangelical passion he ever sought to bring men back to his Lord.

Thomas was a keen fisherman and gardener, and revelled in the beauty and wonder of God’s creation. His personality was ‘good and gay’ and brought joy and light into the lives of those amongst whom he lived and laboured.

On becoming supernumerary in 1942, Thomas settled in Bristol.

Family

Thomas married Edith Annie Hudson (1870-1918) in the spring of 1905 at Docking, Norfolk. Census returns identify one child.

  • Clarence Henry (b1906) – emigrated to Australia circa 1924

Thomas married Louisa K Hodge (1887-1971) in the spring of 1919 at Bristol, Gloucestershire. Birth records identify one child.

  • Cedric Thomas (1924-2004) – a college lecturer (1951)

Thomas died on 5 February 1951 at Bristol, Gloucestershire.

Circuits

  • Hartley
  • 1901 Edinburgh
  • 1903 Trenant
  • 1905 Blackheath
  • 1908 Radstock
  • 1912 Bristol I
  • 1916 Bristol II
  • 1920 Bilston
  • 1924 Basingstoke
  • 1928 Redhill
  • 1931 Croydon
  • 1936 Leeds Holderness Rd
  • 1939 Leigh
  • 1942 Bristol (Sup)

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1930/126

Methodist Minutes 1951/138

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

Comments about this page

  • John,
    Many thanks for your additional information about the family.

    By Geoff Dickinson (09/03/2020)
  • Mr Dickinson,
    Thank you very much for your information about my Uncle Tom, who I remember very well. You have helped me to fill in a few gaps in my family history, but there is one minor point, which I feel I should advise you, Uncle Tom and Aunt Louie had 2 children, Cedric had a sister called Margery, who married Rev Peter Prichard, and also became a Minister in her own right.

    By John D Sibley (09/03/2020)

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