Rous, Thomas Worrall (1818-1910)

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Primitive Methodist Magazine 1870

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Primitive Methodist Magazine 1910

Early years

Thomas was born on 28 November 1818 at Westleton, Suffolk. He was converted aged 16 when the Wangford Circuit experienced a season of revival under the superintendency of Richard Howchin. A successful period as a local preacher led him to receive a call to the ministry in 1840.

Ministry

His obituary records that he had a magnificent voice, and his gift of song was used with effect in his services. His preaching was truly evangelical, and he was the means of bringing many hundreds into the Kingdom of God.

Family

Thomas married Catherine Turner Goodwin (1821-1889) on 26 August 1846 at Blything, Suffolk. Census returns identify seven children.

• Sarah Merciena (1847-1916) – married Jonathan Dalgleish, a PM Minister
• Catherine Elizabeth (1850-1853)
• Emma Rebecca (1852-1880) – married John William Normandale, a PM Minister
• John Goodwin (1853-1941) – a commercial traveller
• Thomas Walter (1856-1872)
• Samuel George (1859-1941) – a grocer
• Betsey Kate (1861-1952) – a housekeeper

Thomas died on 17 May 1910 at Kirkley, Lowestoft,  Suffolk.

Circuits

• 1841 Wangford
• 1842 Wisbech
• 1844 Soham
• 1845 Lynn
• 1847 Docking
• 1849 Diss
• 1851 Aylsham
• 1853 Swaffham
• 1855 E Dereham
• 1857 Wangford
• 1860 Yarmouth
• 1862 Norwich
• 1865 Fakenham
• 1868 Lynn
• 1871 Cambridge
• 1873 Lowestoft
• 1875 Hadleigh
• 1877 N Walsham
• 1879 Lowestoft (S)

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1870 (portrait); 1892/243 (Catherine); 1910/651

PM Minutes 1910/30

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers