Tuffin, Robert (1808-1871)

Ministry

A transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by James Hawkins is attached. He writes as follows.

“His character and life might be briefly epitomised thus:—

1. His piety was deep and earnest, embracing nearly the whole of his long life.

2  He had a sound judgment and far-seeing wisdom and sagacity.

3. He was an efficient superintendent, a vigilant and affectionate pastor.

4. He was most loyal to the connexion of his choice, and indefatigable in his labours to promote her welfare. A better disciplinarian it would be difficult to find.

5. He was most kind, and yet prudent in all his movements, a thorough hater of cant and vain glory How many times we have seen him smile at and heard him deplore the puffs which too often find their way into religious prints. Exaggeration was too unprincipled a thing for him to indulge in.

6. He was an original preacher, always making his own sermons; and most solemn and effective in his delivery of the truth.

7. He was a man of prayer. He always endeavoured to go from his closet to the pulpit. During the two years we travelled together, we never remember calling to see him, but he always requested that we prayed together before we parted, and rare indeed was it for him to visit any person without praying before he left.”

Family

Robert was born on 13 October 1808 at Motcombe, Dorset, to parents James and Elizabeth. He was baptised on 30 October 1808 at Motcombe.

He married Ann Lanwarne (1806-1882) on 2 July 1840 at Peterchurch, Hereford, Herefordshire. Census returns and birth records identify six children.

• Mary (1841-1842)
• Ann (1843-1888) – married James Hawkins, a PM minister, in 1864
• Robert Lanwarne (1844-1914) – a hotel keeper & farmer (1911)
• Thomas (1846-1846)
• Elizabeth (b1849) – a governess (1881)      
• Josiah (1851-1933) – an auditor, trade trustee and financial agent in Launceston, Tasmania (1899)        

Robert died on 1 July 1870 at Kingswood, Bristol, Gloucestershire.

Circuits

• 1832 Redruth (6 mths)
• 1832 St Austell (3yrs 6 mths)
• 1836 Moreton
• 1837 Chippenham
• 1838 Blaenavon
• 1839 Swansea
• 1841 Salisbury
• 1843 Bath
• 1847 Tredegar
• 1849 St Ives
• 1852 Frome
• 1853 Hereford
• 1855 Bath
• 1856 Redruth
• 1859 sSroud
• 1862 Radstock
• 1864 Aberdare
• 1868 Kingswood

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1871/241

PM Minutes 1871/5

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers