Smith, William FRAS (1844-1927)

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1906
Primitive Methodist Magazine 1927

Early years

William was born on 6 October 1844 at Warrington, Lancashire, the eldest son of William and Elizabeth. When William was four, the family moved to St Helens and joined the PM Society there. William, senior, worked as a boilermaker.

William was converted under the ministry of Rev. John Mould. He became a local preacher when aged eighteen. William finally yielded to a call to ministry in the September 1867 Quarterly Meeting. Having passed several examinations he was sent to Blackburn and was pledged by that circuit.

Ministry

William continued to study when he joined the ministry. He gave much attention to Greek and Latin, natural and physical science, and systematic and comparative theology. Astronomy was his favourite subject, on which he wrote and lectured for many years. He was elected a fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society in January 1880.

William was a member of the Candidates and Probationers’ Examining Committees and was Secretary of the Equalisation Fund.

William’s obituary records that as a preacher of the Word, his attainments were above the average, and his sermons gave proof of careful and painstaking preparation. In all business matters, he was orderly and punctual, giving close attention to the details of circuit work.

Family

William married Mary Rowe (b1848) in the summer of 1872 at Oldham, Lancashire. Mary was the daughter of Rev William Rowe. Census returns identify four children.

  • Elizabeth Ada (1876-1897)
  • William Rowe (b1877) – a traveller in musical instruments (1911)
  • George Percy Rowe (b1881) – a soldier (1901)
  • Henry Pimlott Mather (1882-1977) – an Anglican clergyman

William died on 3 March 1927 at Hove, Sussex.

Circuits

  • 1868 Chester
  • 1869 Bolton
  • 1871 Manchester II
  • 1872 Knowlwood
  • 1874 Castletown
  • 1876 Bradwell
  • 1879 Chorley
  • 1884 Boston
  • 1886 Haslingden
  • 1889 Wrexham
  • 1894 York II
  • 1895 Blackheath
  • 1899 Hastings
  • 1901 Halstead
  • 1902 Bromyard
  • 1904 Church Stretton
  • 1905 Donington
  • 1908 Old Leake
  • 1910 Old Leake (Sup)

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1906/87; 1927/587

PM Minutes 1927/271

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

No Comments

Start the ball rolling by posting a comment on this page!

Add a comment about this page

Your email address will not be published.