Willamott, Joseph (1812-1875)

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1860
Copy provided by Steven Carter

Early years

Joseph was born on 24 February 1812 in Sedgford, Norfolk. His family name was Willamon, his father’s family originally coming from Bremen in Germany.  His family were Wesleyan Methodists. Joseph changed his name to Willamite and later Willamott.

He was apprenticed as a boot and shoe maker in his own village. After completion of his apprenticeship, he moved to Kings Lynn. There he heard the preaching of John Smith and became a Primitive Methodist. He is shown on an 1833 plan as an exhorter and continued as a Local Preacher until 1835 when he started to travel.

Ministry

Joseph’s obituary records the following episode from his ministry.

In the year of 1849 he was stationed in Cornwall and was wonderfully preserved by a gracious Providence in the midst of disease and death; in a small fishing place called Mavagissey the cholera raged to a fearful extent; the black flag was hoisted in some streets warning the public not to enter. Mr Willamott says he saw men on their knees in the street begging for mercy; some of the people went to live in barns, and stables, and fishing boats; strong men and women smitten down, dead and buried in ten or twelve hours; and many that could left the town, but Mr Willamott kept at his work of Mercy, preaching and visiting and God preserved him from harm.

Joseph was superannuated in 1874 suffering from heart disease.

Family

Joseph married his wife Mary in 1844. She died in 1883. Census records do not identify any children.

Joseph died on 30 December 1875 in Aylsham.

Circuits

  • 1835 Burton on Trent (6 mths)
  • 1835 Belper (6 mths)
  • 1836 Sheffield
  • 1837 Bottesford (6 mths)
  • 1837 Fulbeck ( 1 yr 6 mths)
  • 1839 Retford
  • 1840 Hull
  • 1841 Reading
  • 1842 Windsor
  • 1843 Reading
  • 1844 High Wycombe
  • 1846 Sherborne
  • 1847 Truro
  • 1848 St Austell
  • 1850 Glastonbury
  • 1851 Brinkworth
  • 1853 Stratford
  • 1855 Salisbury
  • 1856 Wallingford
  • 1858 Andover
  • 1860 Maidstone
  • 1862 Pembroke
  • 1864 Lutterworth
  • 1865 Ramsey
  • 1867 Kelsale
  • 1870 St Albans
  • 1872 Rochford
  • 1874 Aylsham (Sup)

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1860/641; 1877/298

PM Minutes 1876/8

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

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