Magee, John (1839-1897)

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Primitive Methodist Magazine 1893

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Primitive Methodist Magazine 1921

Early years

John was born in 1839 at Workington, Cumberland. John was brought up in the home of Rev Samuel Peel, a Congregational Minister and attended a Congregational Sunday School.

John was converted at the age of 15 during a lovefeast in the Primitive Methodist Chapel, Workington. Four months later he was on the plan. The 1983 biographical sketch in the Primitive Methodist Magazine speculates that it might be questioned whether it is prudent for a person so young to be made a preacher, but there could be no question that he was very popular, and drew together great congregations. He preached with much acceptance and power.

Ministry

During his time at Stanley, John was instrumental in building three new chapels and increasing membership from 404 to 572.

His obituary records that he was not without success on the varied spheres of ministerial work provided by his stations, though the promise of his early ministry was not realised. He read widely, studied much, and was in many respects a lovable man, but the success that he himself desired was not granted to him.

Late in his ministry, John suffered a serious mental breakdown. He was put under medical supervision, initially in Dumfries, and later moved to Carlisle under the orders of the Commission of Lunacy.

Family

John married Elizabeth Pattinson (1839-1919) in the summer of 1865 at Middleton in Teesdale. Census returns identify one child.

• Elizabeth Ann (1867-1941)

John died on 23 January 1897 at Garland’s Asylum, Carlisle, Cumberland.

Circuits

• 1860 Berwick
• 1862 Barnard Castle
• 1863 Darlington
• 1865 Hexham
• 1867 Thornley
• 1870 Stockton
• 1872 Middlesborough
• 1873 Hartlepool
• 1874 Kendall
• 1876 Thornley
• 1880 Crook
• 1882 Carlisle
• 1884 Richmond
• 1886 S Molton
• 1887 Stanley
• 1891 Wellington
• 1892 Pateley Bridge
• 1894 Grassington
• 1895 Dawley
• 1896 Workington (S)

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1893/1; 1921/364 (wife)

PM Minutes 1897/22

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers