Showell, Thomas Clement (1870-1968)

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1921
Primitive Methodist Magazine 1921

Early years

Thomas was born in 1870 at Nottingham, Nottinghamshire. Thomas was educated at University College, Nottingham.

Ministry

On return home from two years successful ministry at San Carlos Bay, Thomas brought at his own expense a native Bubi boy, who took the name Ben Twanjo Showell. Ben became a fully ordained and gifted native minister for the PM Church in Nigeria. In those exacting pioneer days of missionary work, Thomas was equipped with physical fitness, great courage, and a lively evangelical faith.

Thomas had a second spell in Africa, but, to his great regret, a breakdown in health, the onset of black-water fever, caused his return.

Thomas served as Missionary Secretary in the Darlington and Stockton District and also served on the General Missionary Committee.

Family

Thomas married Mary Jane Wright (1870-1934) in the summer of 1874 at Nantwich, Cheshire. Mary was a daughter of Rev William Wright. Census returns identify four of six children.

  • Winifred Mary (b1897) – married John A Hill in 1921 at Hartlepool, Co Durham
  • Carlos William (1902-1960)
  • Lilian Margery (1906-1948) – married Baxter Jarratt in 1939
  • Frank (1910-1997)

Thomas died on 22 September 1968 at Basford, Nottinghamshire.

Circuits

  • Hartley
  • 1891 Church Gresley
  • 1894 Walthamstow
  • 1895 San Carlos Bay
  • 1897 Cheltenham
  • 1899 Fernando Po
  • 1900 Ryde & Ventnor
  • 1903 Walthamstow
  • 1907 Haslingden
  • 1912 Westgate
  • 1919 Hartlepool
  • 1924 Middleton in Teesdale
  • 1928 Guisborough
  • 1932 Middlesbrough (S)

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1921/486

Methodist Minutes 1969/187

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

 

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