Aston, Edward (1840-1911)

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1905
Rev Edward Aston gravestone 1911: Hull General Cemetery
Christopher Hill September 2020

Early years

Edward was born on 27 August 1840 at Gretton, nr Cheltenham, Gloucestershire to parents John and Ann. John was a farmer.

Edward was brought up in the Wesleyan Church. He was converted as a boy through Sunday School and became a successful local preacher. He was recommended for the ministry and attended Didsbury College. He was then placed on the President’s List. Whilst waiting for an appointment, Edward undertook evangelistic work, and whilst labouring at Selby, largely through the influence of Dr Joseph Wood, he was led to offer himself for the Primitive Methodist ministry.

Ministry

Edward was emphatically a circuit man, having no ambition for Connexional or official position. The arena of debate had no charm for him, and the routine of business in District, or Connexional Committee, or Conference, had never drawn him under its spell. Whilst not shirking the role of superintending a circuit, he was thought to find the second minister’s position more to his mind.

Edward enjoyed painting and also had a passion for old clocks.

Family

Edward married Sophia Smithson (1851-1929) in the summer of 1872 at Gainsborough, Lincolnshire. Census returns identify four children.

  • Mary Frances (1873-1929) – married Harry Lyon, a newspaper reporter
  • Whitfield (1879- – a merchant’s clerk (1911); emigrated to Canada in 1912
  • Edward Gladstone (1885-1933) – a newspaper reporter (1911)
  • Olive (b1890)

Edward died on 19 January 1911 at Kingston-upon-Hull, Yorkshire.

Circuits

  • 1868 Tetney
  • 1869 Gainsborough
  • 1870 Hornsea
  • 1873 Hull I
  • 1875 Hull III
  • 1878 Hull II
  • 1883 Filey
  • 1886 Bridlington
  • 1889 Hull III
  • 1893 Driffield
  • 1898 Scarborough I
  • 1901 Rothwell
  • 1904 Cheltenham
  • 1907 Withernsea (S)

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1905/339

PM Minutes 1911/13

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

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