Ducker, Robert (1815-1899)

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1868

Early years

Robert was born abt 1813 at Burnham, Lincolnshire to parents William and Elizabeth. He was baptised on 9 July 1815 at Haxey, Lincolnshire. Robert was the only son in a family of eight children.

Robert was educated at Epworth Grammar School. One of his boyish pranks was to attempt to preach from the tombstone of Samuel Wesley in Epworth Chuchyard.

Robert was converted at the age of 18 through PM missionaries.

Ministry

His obituary records; ‘His ministry was energetic and practical, and during his early years he had much pioneer work to do. He was quite a favourite with young people, and often impressed them with his personal reminiscences of the early days of the connexion and of its founders.’

Family

Robert married Maria Hudson (1819-1893) in 1845 in Louth, Lincolnshire. Census returns identify one child.

  • Priscilla (1846-1938) – lived with her parents until they died; adopts the name Kate in later life.

Robert died on 18 August 1899.

Circuits

  • 1840 Scotter
  • 1841 Wakefield
  • 1842 Pickering
  • 1844 Louth
  • 1846 Barton on Humber
  • 1847 Patrington
  • 1849 Brigg
  • 1851 Scarborough
  • 1853 Swinefleet
  • 1855 Wellow
  • 1857 Lincoln
  • 1859 Coningsby
  • 1861 Spalding & Holbeach
  • 1867 Maldon
  • 1871 Braintree
  • 1872 Redhill
  • 1873 Spilsby
  • 1875 Raunds
  • 1876 Wellingborough
  • 1877 Luton
  • 1880 Deal
  • 1884 Chatham
  • 1888 Whitstable
  • 1887 S Molton
  • 1888 Tunbridge Wells (Sup)
  • 1890 Dover & Deal
  • 1891 Louth

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1868 (portrait)

PM Minutes 1900/12

H B Kendall, Origin and History of the PM Church, vol 1, p420

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

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

 

Comments about this page

  • Maria Ducker writing the obituary for her father Francis Whitehead (the father of George and Thomas below) who died in Burnham 1874, wrote how “in the year 1832 a blessed revival or religion broke out in connection with the Primitive Methodists” when a society was formed. The four young men who did the missioning were cousins, and were all to become Primitive Methodist travelling preachers, John Ducker (1818-1842), Robert Ducker (1815-1889), George Whitehead (1818-1877)and Thomas Whitehead (1823-1902). The latter president of Conference 1887).

    So from this tiny hamlet four travelling preachers arose at this time, prompting H.B. Kendall to write “were statistics only available, they would show that scarcely a village in North Lincolnshire but has sent some of its sons to recruit the ranks of the Methodist ministry. No district has been more fertile for the raising of Primitive Methodist ministers than this, though we judge the East Riding of Yorkshire runs it close.”

    By David Leese (30/01/2017)

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