Walmsley, William Edward (1853-1914)

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1913
Primitive Methodist Magazine 1915
Primitive Methodist Magazine 1913

Early years

William was born on 21 March 1853 at Guiseley, Yorkshire to parents James and Sarah. His parents were member of the Wesleyan Church. They were unsettled by the reform agitation of 1849 and soon after William was born, they moved to Calverley, nr Leeds, and joined the PM Chuch in that village. In the 1871 census, James is described as a woolweaver, New Agent and PM local preacher.

William was converted aged fourteen during some revival services which were conducted by his father and others. Two years later he went on the plan; he initially accompanied his father whilst ‘on note’. William’s father died when William was nineteen and heavy responsibilities came upon him as the eldest of a family of six.

In the 1871 census, William is described as a wool weaver and PM local preacher.

Ministry

As a preacher, William was decidedly above the average; his preparations were careful, and his pulpit manner attractive. Possessed of the necessary means, William gathered a considerable library. His reading was theological, philosophical, sociological, historical and devotional.

William served his districts as orphanage Secretary, C.E. Secretary, Sunday School Secretary and, in two districts, Missionary Secretary. His obituary records that William delighted in the details of finance and the presentation of statistics.

Family

William married Isabella Mainprize (1858-1926) in the summer of 1882 at Bridlington, Yorkshire. Census returns identify five children.

  • Sarah Jane (b1883) – married William Broughton in the summer of 1911
  • Arthur Mainprize (1885-1979) – a lecturer (1914)
  • Edward Arnold (1886-1972) – a bank clerk (1911)
  • Edwin (1890-1983)- student at Anglican training college, Cheltenham (1911)
  • Frank (1896-1971)

William died on 14 December 1914 at Epworth, Lincolnshire.

Circuits

  • 1876 Stockport I
  • 1877 Sunderland Institute
  • 1878 Hull I
  • 1882 Louth
  • 1884 Reading
  • 1886 Pickering
  • 1889 Old Hill
  • 1892 Nottingham I
  • 1894 Long Eaton
  • 1895 Leicester I
  • 1898 Louth
  • 1901 Gainsborough
  • 1904 Boston
  • 1907 Lynn
  • 1910 Sheffield III
  • 1913 Epworth

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1913/882; 1915/492

PM Minutes 1915/49

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

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