Turley, Josiah (1845-1926)

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Primitive Methodist Magazine 1906

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Primitive Methodist Magazine 1926

Early years

Josiah was born on 3 November 1845 at Hampton’s Load, Quatt, Shropshire to parents Thomas and Isabella. Thomas worked as an iron refiner and was a PM local preacher for over seventy years.

Josiah was converted at the age of seventeen. Soon afterwards his name appeared on the plan. After a brief period as a hired local preacher, Josiah entered Emfield College to prepare for the ministry under the training of Rev John Petty.

Ministry

Josiah was an able and effective preacher and platform speaker, in much demand for special occasions. His sermons were massive, orderly, spiritual, Scriptural, practical in their aim, and fervent and dramatic in their delivery. Nature equipped him with a splendid physique and a powerful voice. Open-air work claimed his attention throughout his ministry. He played a prominent part in the Centenary celebrations at Mow Cop.

Josiah served on the Candidates Examining Committee for over twenty years and was District Committee Secretary in the London II and Salisbury and Southampton Districts.

Family

Josiah married Annie Lee (1842-1929) in the summer of 1872 at Windsor, Berkshire. Annie was an evangelist in the Nottingham District before her marriage. Census returns identify four of five children.

• Thomas James (1873-1907) – a PM Minister
• Mary Louisa (b1875) – married Alfred Henry Butler, a schoolmaster
• Anne Amelia (b1876) – married William Charles Dando; a PM Minister; later married Herbert Lancaster, a PM Minister
• Josiah Alfred (1881-1921) – a teacher of languages (1911)

Josiah died on 8 June 1926 at Bournemouth, Hampshire.

Circuits

• 1868 Leighton Buzzard
• 1870 Northampton
• 1871 Maidenhead
• 1872 London II
• 1874 Bedford
• 1877 Weymouth
• 1879 High Wycombe
• 1882 Hackney Rd
• 1886 Plumstead
• 1892 Sheffield IV
• 1896 Nottingham I
• 1899 Bournemouth
• 1903 Portsmouth
• 1907 Southampton
• 1910 Gillingham
• 1915 Portland
• 1919 Bournemouth (S)

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1906/591; 1926/806; 1929/555 (Annie)

PM Minutes 1927/274

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers