Dawson, John Middleton (1824-1888)

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Primitive Methodist Magazine 1875

John was born on 31 December 1824 at Cox Lodge, nr Newcastle upon Tyne. Little is known of his early life except that he went to work in a coal mine aged 11.

Ministry

Leary has not recorded stations between 1863 and 1885. Census returns identify that in 1871 John was at Allendale and in 1881 at Bishop Auckland.

Chronic bronchitis caused John to seek superannuation in 1887.

His obituary records that his mind was logical and practical and he had a horror of all shams, and ruthlessly exposed them on all occasions. In his vehemence he sometimes appeared hard and intolerant, but we believe that he acted conscientiously, though sometimes mistakenly.

John took considerable interest in the welfare of the industrial classes, and especially delighted to talk with those who had strong sceptical tendencies; and if he did not always convince them, he impressed them with his sincerity and manliness, and won their esteem.

Family

John married Mary Gibson (b1838) in the summer of 1861 at Newcastle upon Tyne. Census returns identify one child

• Theophilus Ernest (1863-1938) – a chemist

John died on 25 January 1888 at Gateshead, Co Durham.

Circuits

• 1847 Westgate
• 1848 N Shields
• 1851 Whitehaven
• 1852 Westgate
• 1853 Sunderland
• 1856 Brompton
• 1858 Newcastle
• 1861 Kendal
• 1863 St Helens Auckland
• 1885 Gateshead
• 1887 Gateshead (Sup)

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1875 (portrait); 1889/625

PM Minutes 1888/10

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers