Goodwin, Henry Thomas Binnall (1871-1913)

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1913

Early years

Henry was born on 28 August 1871 at Tunstall, Staffordshire to parents John William Goodwin and Matilda Eliza Binnall. John worked in the pottery business and in 1891 is identified as a potter’s general manager. Henry’s brother, Rowland, was also a PM Minister.

Henry trained at first for the teaching profession and qualified as a headmaster, but in response to the call of his native circuit he gave himself to the calling of the ministry.

Ministry

Henry’s obituary records that he never sought place or power or public favour, and therefore his good work was rarely chronicled in popular ways, but he did that steady, solid work, which is chiefly needed, of building up churches and Christly characters.

He was a preacher of more than average ability – forceful, logical, winsome. His soul was steeped in the Bible and the best literature. He read widely and well, and had a passionate love for science, history, poetry and theology linked to an ardent sympathy with all living things.

It was as a pastor he excelled. Gifted with a natural genius for friendship, with a fund of humour, and overflowing with the milk of human kindness, loving little children, and a brother and friend to all, he won his way to many hearts, and his visits were a gracious benediction to many homes.

Family

Henry married Emma Newns (b1874) in the summer of 1899 within the Atcham Registration District, Shropshire. Census returns identify two children.

  • Jane M (b1900)
  • Vera de Lancey (b1906) – married Joseph B Austin in 1932

Henry died on 9 March 1913 at Hereford Hospital, Herefordshire.

Circuits

  • Hartley
  • 1895 Shrewsbury
  • 1896 Hereford
  • 1898 Woburn Sands
  • 1899 Canning Town
  • 1901 Chipping Norton
  • 1903 Hungerford
  • 1904 Guernsey
  • 1907 Redruth
  • 1910 Church Stretton
  • 1911 Weobly

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1913/494

PM Minutes 1913/21

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

Comments about this page

  • In 1903, when he was in Hungerford, Henry [Herbert] was involved in the Passive Resistance movement. A local play has been written about it, and there is an article on the Hungerford Virtual Museum: 1903 Passive Resistance in Hungerford.

    By Jill Barber (09/04/2018)

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