Ward, Robert (1816-1876)

First PM Missionary to preach south of the equator.

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1862
Copy provided by Steven Carter
Primitive Methodist Magazine 1912

Early years

Robert was born on 14 January 1816 at Sporle, Norfolk, to parents John Ward and Ann Howes. He was baptised on 18 February 1816 at Norwich. Robert was a ‘poorly’ child; it was thought improbable he would survive the perils of infancy.

Robert was converted when PM missionaries visited Sporle in 1831. He joined a PM society and immediately started to educate himself. He was soon on the plan and became an itinerant preacher in 1835.

Ministry

Robert was the first PM Missionary to Australasia, landing at New Plymouth, New Zealand on 29 August 1844, three years after the first batch of settlers had arrived. He has been described as a ‘prospector, a pioneer and as a planter of churches’ in relation to New Plymouth, Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch. He was the founding father of the PM Church in New Zealand.

Kendall writes; ‘ Robert Ward landed, a stranger amongst strangers. There was nothing to distinguish him from the immigrants he had voyaged with. He was unknown ; his coming unprepared for and unexpected. There was no nucleus of a church, however small, awaiting his fostering care, as was the case in the Australian Colonies. Single-handed he had to begin from the bottom, and he lost no time in beginning. On Sunday, September 1st, he opened his mission by preaching in the open-air, taking as his text, “This is a faithful saying,” etc. He toiled on amid manifold discouragements, rendered all the greater by the depression which rested on the infant settlement. Still he gathered a few into church membership, and in November his hands were strengthened by a small society of Bible Christians coming over to him. These good people had formed themselves into a society on landing, and had even built themselves a small chapel. They had no minister over them, nor any prospect of obtaining one. On the other hand, Mr. Ward had no chapel and was short of helpers. So it seemed to be for the interest of both societies so alike in doctrine and discipline to join their forces. The union thus effected worked well and was never regretted. The five local preachers gained by the union were a welcome reinforcement, and enabled Mr. Ward to extend the mission.’

His son Frederick writes in his obituary; ‘He was a good preacher. Having fairly drilled and cultured his mind, and being a lover of thoughtful books, his sermons were intellectually strong as well as spiritually rich.’

Family

Robert married Emily Brundle (1817-1880) on 4 July 1839 at Hilgay, Norfolk. Records identify twelve children

  • Robert (1840-1901)
  • Martha Ann (1841-1931) – married Thomas Humphries
  • John (1842-1918) – a storekeeper in Australia, later moved to South Africa.
  • Elizabeth Raymond (1844-1927)
  • Charles Ebenezer (1846-1935) – a PM Minister
  • Frederick William (1847-1934) – a PM Minister 186-69, then a Wesleyan Minister until 1876, later a journalist.
  • Josiah (1848-1926) – a PM Minister 1872-87, later a Wesleyan Minister
  • Harland (1851-1895)
  • Hester Hannah (1853-1921) – married John McGowan
  • Garner (1834-1933)
  • Octavious (1856-1858)
  • Emily Ellen (1860-1941)

Robert died on 13 October 1876 at Wellington, New Zealand.

Circuits

  • 1835 Upwell
  • 1836 Norwich (6 mths)
  • 1836 Mattishall (6 mths)
  • 1837 Aylsham
  • 1838 Rockland
  • 1839 Yarmouth
  • 1840 N Walsham
  • 1842 Mattishall
  • 1845 New Plymouth
  • 1849 Auckland
  • 1858 New Plymouth
  • 1867 Wellington
  • 1870 On way home
  • 1871 Christchurch
  • 1874 Wellington

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1862 (portrait); 1877/361; 1912/292

PM Minutes 1877/11

J Petty, The History of the Primitive Methodist Connexion, 1880, p480

H B Kendall, Origin and History of the PM Church, vol 2, p441

B A Barber, A Methodist Pageant, 1932, p171

Joseph Ritson, The Romance of Primitive Methodism , 1909, p 292

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

E Drake, Some Account of Primitive Methodism in New Zealand: A Souvenir of the Centenary of the Arrival of the Rev. Robert Ward and the Establishment of the Primitive Methodist Church in New Zealand in September, 1844 ,Volume 3, Issue 3 of Proceedings (Wesley Historical Society New Zealand)

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

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Comments about this page

  • Robert Ward was the 3rd Great Grandfather of my Husband and I am keenly researching his life and works.

    By Sarah Whistlecraft (17/01/2014)

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