Jones, William (1812-1866)

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Primitive Methodist Magazine 1865

Early years

William was born in June 1812 at Aston, Berkshire. He was set to work as a child, firstly as a plough boy, then a carter.

William was converted circa 1832. Rev J Guy writes that in the winter of 1835/6, he and William held weekly ‘mutual improvement’ meetings on a Saturday evening.

Ministry

On the mission field he endured great privations and much persecution. He had often long journeys on foot and coarse fare and sometimes scarcely any food at all. His head was once severley cut, and the scar of that wound he carried with him to the grave.

As a man he was modest and retiring, honest and honourable, truthful and obliging, more ready to confer than ask a favour.

Family

He married Eliza Bygrave (1821-1920) at Hertford, Hertfordshire in 1844. Census returns identify six children.

• Emily (b1846)
• William (1848-1891) – a railway porter
• Fanny Ellen (1850-1898) – married Thomas Humphrey.
• Sarah Jane (1858-1883) – married Robert Winn Harris.
• Emily Anne (b1859) – a housekeeper
• Albert Henry (1864-1898) – an insurance agent and later a beer-house keeper.

William died on 8 July 1866 at Winterton, Lincolnshire.

Circuits

• 1838 Shefford
• 1839 Weymouth
• 1840 Poole
• 1842 Hanley
• 1843 Hertford
• 1844 Essex Mission
• 1845 Portsmouth
• 1848 Canterbury
• 1849 St Albans
• 1851 Sheerness
• 1853 Holbeach
• 1855 Bridgeford
• 1856 Barton on Humber
• 1858 Driffield
• 1860 Scotter
• 1862 Epworth
• 1864 Winterton
• 1866 Grimsby

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1865 (portrait); 1866/616

PM Minutes 1867/5

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers