Windram, George (1845-1928)

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1904
Primitive Methodist Magazine 1906
Primitive Methodist Magazine 1929

Early years

George was born in September 1845 at Leicester, Leicestershire to parents John and Eliza. John worked as a tailor. Both parents were connected with the George Street Church, Leicester.

George, as a young man, acted as guide and companion for Rev Charles Lace, the blind preacher, for a period of about three years.

George recalls that when he joined the George Street Society the membership was about 500 and the Sunday School at one time numbered over one thousand children with five superintendents and eighty-four teachers.

Ministry

After completing his candidates’ examination, George was sent as a supply to the Leamington circuit before his appointment to Northampton in 1868. At Leamington, George walked a hundred miles a week, took eight to twelve services, indoors and out, and from the poor people received unfailing hospitality and kindness.

Whilst in London for nine years, George superintended the erection of five chapels as well as raising some £8,000 towards their cost. The article in the 1923 PM Magazine provides a good summary of George’s work in his first five circuits in his own words.

His obituary records that he was a great preacher and could move an audience in a way that was memorable. His lectures were very popular, and he amassed no less than seventy lectures during his ministry.

George attended the Ecumenical Conference in Washington. He well received in America and was invited to the White House and introduced to the President.

Family

George married Sarah Arkwright (1845-1917) in late 1872 at Leicester. Census returns identify one of two children.

  • Shirley (1878-1929) – a PM Minister

George died on 24 June 1928 at Bournemouth, Hampshire.

Circuits

  • 1868 Northampton
  • 1870 Newport, IoW
  • 1873 London I
  • 1877 London VII
  • 1882 Hull IV
  • 1887 Chesterfield I
  • 1893 Burnley I
  • 1898 Leicester I
  • 1903 Birmingham
  • 1906 Bilston
  • 1910 Cambridge
  • 1914 Aberdare (Sup)

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1904/533; 1906/255; 1923/548; 1929/236

PM Minutes 1929/293

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

 

Comments about this page

  • George’s wife Sarah is a distant relative of mine – a 4 x great aunt.  I have researched the family history and the Arkwrights are descended from Sir Richard Arkwright. Sarah’s grandfather, Thomas, was the son of Richard’s rather young son, also Richard and was born in Lancashire, but became a framework knitter in the Midlands.  Thomas died in 1825, after which I understand his wife and family became Methodists in Loughborough.

    By Pamela Cram (04/03/2018)
  • George was my Grandfather so I was very interested to see this. There are obituaries in the Aldersgate Magazine for his wife Sarah and his son Shirley. George’s cousin Jabez Bell was also a PM minister between 1879 and 1941.

    By Margaret Morrow (08/03/2014)

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