Southron, Thomas (1818-1900)
Early years
Thomas was born on 4 September 1818 at Durham to parents Thomas and Mary Ann. He was baptised on 27 September 1818 at St Oswald, Durham. His father was a tradesman.
Thomas was converted at the age of 20 through the PM Society in Durham. He became a local preacher under the counsel and assistance of Mr Coward, a local preacher in Durham.
Ministry
Thomas wrote ‘The Gospel the Power of God to Salvation’ published in the PMM 1851.
Thomas read an essay on the subject of Science and Scripture to the Association of PM Minister in Sunderland in 1865. This was published in the PMM in 1869.
For many years Thomas was District Secretary and he also examined ministerial candidates at Elmfield College and probationers (See report published in PMM 1869, p563)
Thomas was Secretary of Conference in 1872 and 1882.
His obituary records that as well as being a popular preacher, he was a born administrator, a great organiser and a hard practical worker. He was sent to several circuits that were labouring under a cloud or where there was division.
Thomas was a considerable student himself. He had a knowledge of Hebrew and Greek, was well up on history, English and biblical subjects. He was also strong in Methodist Theology.
Family
Thomas married Ann Armstong (1827-1900) in April 1847 at Flag Lane Chapel, Sunderland. Census returns identify one child.
- Thomas (b abt 1852) – an architect and surveyer
Thomas died on 15 March 1900 in Darlington. He was buried along with his wife in Darlington West Cemetery.
Circuits
- 1841 Ripon
- 1842 N Shields
- 1844 Shotley Bridge
- 1845 Sunderland
- 1847 Chester le Street
- 1848 Newcastle
- 1850 Allendale
- 1852 Whitby
- 1855 N Shields
- 1859 Carlisle
- 1862 Stockton
- 1866 Shotley Bridge
- 1868 N Shields
- 1872 Shotley Bridge
- 1876 Sunderland
- 1878 Auckland
- 1882 Newcastle ll
- 1885 S Shields (S)
- 1893 Darlington
References
Primitive Methodist Magazine 1869/193 (portrait); 1901/386
PM Minutes 1900/23
The Primitive Methodist, 1900, p203
The Primitive Methodist World, 1900/223
W Leary, Directory of Primitive Methodist Ministers and their Circuits, 1990
Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers
Comments about this page
This page was modified on 27 March 2017 to add a transcription of his obituary, published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine, 1901.
This page was modified on 27 November 2015 to add a transcription of an article in the Christian Messenger 1913.
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