Bennett, Thomas (1803-1865)

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Primitive Methodist Magazine

Englesea Brook Museum ENBM 1990.21.36a

Thomas was born on 10 September 1803 at Little Hulton, Lancashire. His parents were Samuel and Sarah.

Ministry

Kendal records that the Norwich circuit was struggling in 1829 with 129 members and 1 preacher. The conference of 1831 resolved to place the Rose Yard Chapel into the hands of the Hull circuit. ‘ In June, 1831, David Beattie was sent as a missionary, and in September he was asked if there was room for another. Six months he laboured at Rose Yard, and was succeeded by Thomas Bennett. In 1832, Norwich reported 533 members, and the tide had turned.’

Petty records the growth in the Patrington branch of the Hull second circuit when Thomas took charge in 1856. Along with the ‘zealous assistance’ of Mr Henry Clark the branch rose to prosperity. March 1859 it reported 319 members, an increase of fifty for the year and being able to meet its own expenses it was then made into a separate circuit.

Family

Thomas married Hannah Black (1810-1886) on 18 February 1843 at Lakenham, Norfolk. Census records indicate that Hannah and her mother were born in London.

Thomas died on11 April 1865 at Market Rasen, Lincolnshire.

Circuits

• 1828 Halifax
• 1829 Pocklington
• 1831 Hull
• 1842 Barton on Humber
• 1843 Leeds
• 1845 Pontefract
• 1847 Malton
• 1849 Wakefield
• 1851 Otley
• 1853 Barnsley
• 1856 Patrington
• 1859 Bridlington
• 1863 Market Rasen

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1852/192; 1865/482; 1887/693 (wife)

PM Minutes 1865/5

J Petty, The History of the Primitive Methodist Connexion, 1880, p503

H B Kendall, Origin and History of the PM Church, vol 2, 217-8

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers