Fowler, George (1831-1912)

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Primitive Methodist Magazine 1881

George was born on 1 July 1831 at Swinefleet, Yorkshire to parents George and Mary. George was baptised on 31 July 1831 at Swinefleet. George senior was a farm labourer and therefore unable to provide George with a very good education. In 1851 George was working as a farm labourer at Seaton Ross, nr Pocklington.

George was converted aged 21. On 1 October 1853 he went to Driffield as a hired local preacher.

Ministry

In his diary, George recorded that in some years he walked as much as 2,700 miles. He was affectionately styled ‘the walking preacher’ by villagers.

His obituary records that he was deeply interested in all questions relating to the social welfare of the people. He was a convinced and enthusiastic temperance advocate taking a great interest in the Band of Hope.

He was a faithful preacher, a diligent pastor, a hard worker and did much to maintain the efficiency of the various circuits on which he travelled.

Family

George married Martha Eggleton (1832-1912) in the spring of 1859 at Newbury, Berkshire. Census returns identify five children. The 1911 census suggests there were two further children who died in infancy.

• Henry George (1860-1887) – a printer
• Albert William (b1862) – a joiner; emigrated to Australia in 1893
• Annie Constance (1866-1934) – married Albert Goddard, a drapers assistant
• Frederick George (1868-1890)
• Edgar Cornelius (1871-1872)

George died on 7 June 1912 at Purton, Wiltshire.

Circuits

• 1854 Wallingford
• 1855 Banbury
• 1857 Newbury
• 1860 Motcombe
• 1862 Brinkworth
• 1865 Leamington
• 1869 Andover
• 1872 Aylesbury
• 1875 Leamington
• 1878 Hungerford
• 1881 Micheldever
• 1883 Faringdon
• 1887 Motcombe
• 1890 Calne
• 1894 Malmsbury
• 1896 Brinkworth (S)

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1881 (portrait)

PM Minutes 1912/17

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers