Pearson, John (1845-1916)

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Primitive Methodist Magazine 1909

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Primitive Methodist Magazine 1909

Early years

John was born on 18 October 1845 at Felling Shore, nr Gateshead, Co Durham to parents Robert Pearson and Margaret Hebron. Robert was a colliery labourer and was a local preacher, class leader and for several years Sunday School superintendent. While John was very young, the family moved to Hobson, in the Shotley Bridge circuit. Here the family home was opened up for preaching services until a more suitable place could be secured.

John was converted in revival services conducted by John Lowery, an evangelist of Gateshead. He was brought on to the preachers’ plan at Stanley. John worked at the coal mine from a young age, before entering the ministry.

Ministry

Shortly after John arrived at Boston, the chapel was burned down. Under his leadership, a new and beautiful structure was erected; and the church itself built up into a stronger and more compact and efficient body.

John’s preaching was eminently practical, and disclosed a firm intelligent grip of essential truths. He lifted high ethical standards before the people, and gave faithful expositions of spiritual religion.

Family

John married Louisa Herman (b1850) in the summer of 1875 at Andover, Hampshire. Census returns identify seven children.

• Walter Hebron (1877-1951) – a schoolteacher and local preacher
• Ethel (1879-1929)
• Sidney John (1881-1948) – a schoolteacher
• Edgar Arnold (1882-1952) – a solicitor’s clerk (1911)
• Hilda Louisa (1885-1944) – a book-keeper (1911)
• Stanley Augustus (1886-1961) – a schoolteacher and local preacher
• Alice Maud (b1889) – a schoolteacher (1911)

John died on 30 December 1916 at Leeds, Yorkshire.

Circuits

• Sunderland
• 1871 Faringdon
• 1873 Winchester
• 1875 Motcombe
• 1879 Banbury
• 1882 Bradfield
• 1886 Shildon
• 1889 Oldham I
• 1891 Lincoln II
• 1896 Boston
• 1900 Crowle
• 1903 Pudsey
• 1906 Ripon
• 1909 Tadcaster
• 1911 Leeds (S)

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1909/801

PM Minutes 1917/262

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers