Livesey, Joseph Charles (1849-1910)

Early years

Joseph was born on 20 May 1849 at Sowerby Bridge to parents George and Elizabeth. George worked as a millwright and later as a steam engine fitter. His parents were enthusiastic Primitive Methodists, who took part in the government and work of the Sowerby Bridge Circuit. His father was a local preacher ands society steward and his mother a class leader for thirty years.

Joseph chose to accept and serve Jesus Christ at the age of ten. He became an active worker in the Sunday School, Temperance and other departments of church life.

Ministry

Joseph filled the offices of Temperance, Sunday School, Building and District Committee Secretary at various times throughout his ministry.

As a preacher he was practical rather than rhetorical, and aspired simply to be a painstaking, plodding, conscientious circuit minister.

His obituary records that as a man he was manly, upright, straightforward, fearless and frank. As a friend he was true, reliable and absolutely trustworthy. As a minister he was devoted, active, earnest, unsparing and enthusiastic.

Family

Joseph married Mary Ann Crossley (b1846) in the summer of 1875 at Sowerby Bridge, Yorkshire. Census returns identify five children.

  • Henry Ayrton Alexander (1876-1931) a pharmaceutical chemist (1911)
  • George Samuel Theodore (1878-1944) – a chemist shop assistant (1911)
  • Charles Edwin Leonard (1880-1940) – a school teacher
  • Frederick Crossley Melville (1882-1949) – a sorting clerk and telegraphist (1911)
  • Ethel Mary (b1883)

Joseph died on 4 August 1910 at Chorlton-upon-Medlock, Manchester, Lancashire.

Circuits

  • Sunderland
  • 1871 Clayton West
  • 1874 Wakefield
  • 1876 Leeds I
  • 1878 York
  • 1881 Horbury
  • 1883 Castleford
  • 1886 York I
  • 1888 Middleham
  • 1890 Clayton West
  • 1894 Bradford II
  • 1898 Leeds VIII
  • 1902 Colne
  • 1905 Bradford

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1908/885; 1911/489

PM Minutes 1911/27

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

 

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