Thomsett, William (1837-1921)

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Primitive Methodist Magazine 1896

Early years

William was born on 1 January 1837 at Milton Regis, Kent to parents Richard and Frances. William was baptised on 12 February 1837 at Milton, Kent.  Richard was a fisherman, who owned a small fishery smack by which he was able to support his wife and ten children. The family had no religious connections.

Between the ages of 7 and 10, William spent the summer months at sea with his father and the winter months in school. He went to sea full-time aged ten and had several close encounters with death during his time as a mariner.

William was converted aged 17 and associated with the Primitive Methodists at Milton Regis.

Ministry

During his ministry, William built three chapels and carried out many renovations.

As a pastor and minister he was well regarded by his people. His genial and sympathetic nature endeared him to them as he visited them in their homes. When he met them as a preacher and people at Divine worship, his word, so evangelistic in its significance, so fervent in its presentation, was appealing and powerful.

William was averse to publicity in the courts and committees of the connexion. Conferential delegation and secretary-ship had no lure for him – he preferred his immediate task of the circuit.

Family

William married Margaret Bascombe (1844-1925) on 18 July 1866 at Milton Regis. The 1861 census shows her family living next door to William’s family in Milton Regis. Margaret had been a fellow Sunday School teacher with William. They were engaged to be married before he entered the ministry and Margaret agreed to wait four years until they could marry.They had ten children.

• Lydia Jane (1867-1943) – married William Charles Kemp Warren, a builder
• Ethilda Minnie (b1869) – married Edward Stokes, a builder; travelled to USA in 1909
• Harold Charles William (1871-1951) – a mariner; died in Australia
• Ellen Emma (b1874) – married Charles Murray; worked as a nurse when widowed.
• Edith Maude (b1876)
• Sidney Ernest (1878-1958) – a chemist and druggist (1911)
• Ella May G (1881-1901)
• Lilian Hilda (1883-1975) – a nurse
• Mable Jessie (1885-1979) – married Edward Thornton
• William George (1891-1891)

Following superannuation, in 1907 William suffered a stroke from which he never wholly recovered. He was nursed by his wife and one of his daughters.

William died on 23 July 1921 at Milton Regis, Kent.

Circuits

• 1861 Plymouth
• 1862 Liskeard
• 1863 Dartmouth
• 1864 Hastings
• 1865 Baldock
• 1866 Dover & Deal
• 1867 Downham
• 1869 Yarmouth
• 1872 Lynn
• 1875 Watton
• 1878 Bury St Edmunds
• 1880 Wangford
• 1883 Maldon
• 1886 Dover & deal
• 1889 Maidstone
• 1893 Winster
• 1897 Belper
• 1900 Uttoxeter
• 1903 Dover (Sup)

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1896/163

PM Minutes 1922/286

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers