Gill, John (1835-1901)

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1897
Primitive Methodist Magazine 1902

Early years

John was born in 1835 at Allendale, Northumberland to parents Joseph and Hannah. John was baptised on 29 November 1835 at Allendale. Joseph was a lead miner and ran a smallholding. Both parents were Primitive Methodists.

John’s elementary education was obtained in a day-school conducted in the old PM chapel at Allendale Town under the tuition of Mr J Bell. He trained as a joiner and cabinetmaker before entering the ministry.

John grew up to the free life of the mountainside. He took a lead in the athletic exertions of the locality, the rough encounters of it’s festivities and the disturbing action of it’s practical joking.  John was converted in 1853 during a revival. John joined the society at Sinderhope where his parents were members. About six months later, he appeared on the plan as an exhorter.

John moved to Newcastle, and later to Sunderland. He was called into the ministry by Colin Campbell McKechnie whilst living in Sunderland.

Ministry

Whilst stationed at Allendale, John was a member of the School Board.

John was instrumental in the erection of chapels at Mossend, nr Motherwell, at Cowburn, nr Haltwhistle, at Catton and at Leyland.

After superannuation, John moved to Enfield to be close to his daughter.

Family

John married Catherine Jane Walters (1842-1919) in late 1870 at Weardale, Co Durham. Census returns identify one daughter.

  • Katherine Hannah (1869-1951) – a music teacher (1891); married John Pinchen, a PM Minister.

John died on 18 November 1901 at Edmonton, Middlesex.

Circuits

  • 1862 Berwick
  • 1863 Whitehaven
  • 1865 Alston
  • 1866 Westgate
  • 1870 Motherwell
  • 1873 Haltwhistle
  • 1876 Barnard Castle
  • 1879 Allendale
  • 1886 White le Head
  • 1897 Penrith
  • 1890 Preston II
  • 1893 Gateshead II
  • 1896 Knowlwood
  • 1898 Kirby Cross
  • 1900 Clacton
  • 1901 Enfield (S)

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1897/403; 1902/543

PM Minutes 1902/12

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

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Comments about this page

  • This page was modified on 12 June 2017 to add a transcription of his obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine 1902.

    By Geoff Dickinson (12/06/2017)

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