Taylor, John (1830-1901)

Early years

John was born in Belfast, Ireland in 1830. In his early years, he was associated with the Melbourne St Society.

Ministry

John’s labours were largely confined to Ireland. His obituary records that he loved to dwell among his own people. He knew their ways, understood their habits and manner of thought, and gained their unreserved respect.

There was little of the fighting element in his nature; he was a lover of peace, especially in the church; gentle, quiet, and unassuming.

As a minister he was very painstaking, attentive to detail, and kept a strict watch over the finances. He dreaded debt and sought to give as little trouble to the Connexional authorities as possible.

John’s sermons were homely and scriptural.

On one occasion, John and R W Burnett were summonsed by the Belfast authorities for holding an open-air mission. Public sympathy was on the side of the missioners and the case was won – thus allowing the right to preach the gospel on the streets of Belfast.

Family

John’s home life was saddened by affliction. He lost his wife and all but one son.

John married Alice Bell (1840-1887) in the summer of 1862 at Richmond, Yorkshire. Census returns identify four children.

  • William John (b1863)
  • George Edwin (1865-1887)
  • Alice Louisa (1867-1873)
  • Albert Ernest W (1870-1901) – a staff member of “Portadown News”

John died on 23 July 1901 at Portadown, Ireland.

Circuits

  • 1857 Donaghmore
  • 1859 Pembroke
  • 1860 Donaghmore
  • 1862 Richmond
  • 1863 Redhill
  • 1865 Tottenham
  • 1868 Bungay
  • 1871 Lisburn
  • 1874 Portadown
  • 1877 Donaghmore
  • 1878 Newry
  • 1879 Belfast l
  • 1884 Portadown
  • 1889 Peaton Strand
  • 1892 Leintwardine
  • 1894 Rhonnda
  • 1896 Portadown
  • 1899 Portadown (S)

References

PM Minutes 1902/29

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

McAvoy Tree on Ancestry.com

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