Wigham, Thomas (1837-1867)

Ministry

A transcription of the obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by Adam Dodds is attached. He records the comments of his first superintendent at Allendale, Rev. C.C. McKechnie as follows.

“I liked brother Wigham very much indeed, and have pleasant remembrances of the manner in which he behaved to myself as his superintendent, and also in the discharge of his official duties. He was not what might be considered a highly gifted youth, but his diligence in study compensated to some considerable degree for his lack of native ability. He was thoroughly devoted to his work, instant in season and out of season, ever ready to seize an opportunity of doing good. I have reason to believe his labours were productive of good to souls. Altogether he was a fine young fellow, guileless and teachable as a child, devout, upright, zealous, aiming above all things to glorify his Saviour by bringing many souls to the knowledge of the truth.” 

Family

Thomas was born on 29 November 1837 at Eltringham, Northumberland, to parents John Wigham, a colliery banksman (1851), and Jane Marshall. He was baptised on 14 January 1838 at Ovingham, Northumberland.

He married Isabella Dickinson (1831-1903) in the summer of 1864 in the Hexham Registration District, Northumberland. Birth records identify two children.

• Jane (1865-1902) – married James Shield, a mason (1891), in 1884; a workhouse industrial trainer (1901)     
• Barbara Mary (1867-1868)          

Thomas died on 5 September 1867 at Maryport, Cumberland.

Circuits

• 1860 Allendale
• 1861 Kendal
• 1863 Brompton
• 1864 Sunderland
• 1867 Maryport

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1868/362

PM Minutes 1868/10

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers