Watson, James (1813-1847)

Ministry

A transcription of the obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by T. Dawson is attached. He describes how James fell in with a bad crowd as a youth and his struggles towards conversion. Following conversion James rapidly – within 12 months – made the transition to becoming a travelling preacher.

James became a well respected evangelistic minister, especially in Sunderland. Whilst at Darlington James attended a public service in Middlesbrough in the depths of winter. He caught a severe cold from which he never fully recovered. The last four years of his ministry were blighted by ill health.

Family

James was born on 25 December 1813 in the parish of Danby, Yorkshire, to parents John and Ann.

Before entering the ministry James was a farm worker.

James died on 9 July 1847 at Thirsk, Yorkshire. He left a widow and three young children. I have not been able to identify them in online records.

Circuits

• 1834 N Shields (6 mths)
• 1834 Sunderland (2yrs 6mths)
• 1837 Alston
• 1838 Newcastle
• 1840 Westgate
• 1841 Darlington
• 1843 Pateley Bridge
• 1845 Ripon
• 1846 Thirsk
• 1847 Thirsk (Sup)

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1847/646

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers