Yaxley, Arthur Thomas (1869-1937)

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Primitive Methodist Magazine 1924

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Primitive Methodist Magazine 1924

Early years

Arthur was born on 6 January 1869 at East Barsham, Norfolk, to parents Robert and Leah. Robert worked the land. Arthur was baptised on 21 March 1869 at East Barsham.

Arthur commenced work as a gardener at the age of twelve. He joined the church aged fifteen and commenced to preach three years later.

On moving to London, to work as a packer for Great Western Railway at Smithfield Station, Arthur was introduced to Rev Joseph Odell. He spent two years in his Evangelists’ Home and then went to Audlem, nr Crewe. After working as a hired local preacher at Darwen, Arthur was stationed at Southend where he did much pioneer work and founded the church at Shoeburyness.

Ministry

A mysterious malady that affected his bones, necessitated superannuation for a year in 1911, but he recovered sufficiently to resume.

His obituary records that Arthur was an attractive personality. His courage and fortitude during years of prostration were a silent challenge to those who were tempted to murmur against comparatively small troubles.

He was often humorous at his own expense, and he used his literary faculty in telling others of the inspiration of sunshine on the hills when he was patiently waiting in the valley. Even when blindness came he still thought out and wrote words of good cheer.

Family

Arthur married Minnie Field (1875-1956) in the spring of 1900 in the Rochford Registration District, Essex.

Arthur died on 15 March 1937 at Horsham, Sussex.

Circuits

• 1896 Southend
• 1897 Market Rasen
• 1899 Wymondham
• 1902 Worthing
• 1904 St Neots
• 1907 Blackburn III
• 1911 Supernum
• 1912 Birmingham II
• 1915 St Ives, Hunts
• 1919 Croydon
• 1923 Horsham
• 1926 Horsham (Sup)

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1924/628

Methodist Minutes 1937/209

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers