Shergold, Frank (1857-1921)

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Christian Messenger 1906

Early years

Frank was born in 1857 at Woodfalls, Wiltshire, to parents John and Harriet. John worked the land.

Frank began his public career as a boy preacher at the age of sixteen in the Salisbury Circuit.

Ministry

At Dunstable, Frank faced difficulties with an invincible faith and commendable courage. Within seven years a new manse was built, two churches renovated, a new chapel built at Toddington, and the whole circuit raised to a position of great prosperity.

His obituary records that he served with distinction as secretary of District Orphanage Committees and Education Committees. During his stay at Folkstone, Frank was President of the Free Church Council.

On superannuation, Frank went to Bognor, where he took pastoral oversight He soon endeared himself to the hearts of the people and became popular in the town.

He was a Christian gentleman, saintly in character, and devoted to his Lord. His devotion was thorough, and his character beyond reproach. His preaching was of the cultured, evangelical type. He was possessed with a passion for souls, and was never happier than when he was leading someone into the ‘marvellous’ Light. His winsome personality, his sympathetic heart, and evangelical fervour made him a vigorous and successful winner of souls.

Family

Frank married Emily Jane Tonkin (abt1856-1923) in the summer of 1880 in the Redruth Registration District, Cornwall. Census returns identify four children.

• Harriet Mary (Hettie) (1881-1902) – married Alfred Edwin Warren in 1902
• Percy Frank (1886-1945) – an insurance clerk (1911)
• Gertrude Emily (1889-1967) – married Walter R Drewett in 1920
• Reginald Joseph Beauchamp (1893-1917) – a grocer’s assistant (1911); emigrated to Australia in 1912; a farmer; died of wounds in WW1 (in Australian Army); buried at Kingston-upon-Thames

Frank died on 18 September 1921. He suffered a heart attack and died in the vestry at Bognor, shortly after the evening service.

Circuits

• 1876 Stroud
• 1877 St Day
• 1880 St Ives
• 1883 Penzance
• 1886 Dunstable
• 1893 Leeds VIII
• 1896 Berkhamstead
• 1899 Luton II
• 1906 Salisbury
• 1909 Kingston
• 1912 Folkstone
• 1916 Eastbourne
• 1918 Bognor (Sup)

References

Christian Messenger 1906/238

PM Minutes 1922/283

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers