Individual Notes
Note for: Susannah Butt, 1771 - BET. JUL - SEP 1856
Index
Event: Type: Census 1851
Date: 30 MAR 1851
Place: Motcombe St, Motcombe, Dorset
Event: Type: Census 1841
Date: 7 JUN 1841
Place: Motcombe St, Motcombe, Dorset
Individual Notes
Note for: Stephen Parsons, 1795 - AFT. 1871
Index
Christening: Date: 24 MAY 1795
Place: Motcombe, Dorset
Occupation: Date: 1851
Place: Ag lab
Event: Type: Census 1851
Date: 30 MAR 1851
Place: 108 Motcombe, Dorset
Event: Type: Census 1861
Date: 7 APR 1861
Place: 87 Enmore Green, Motcombe, Dorset
Event: Type: Census 1871
Date: 2 APR 1871
Place: 94 Enmore Green, Motcombe, Dorset
Event: Type: Census 1841
Date: 7 JUN 1841
Place: Enmore Green, Dorset
Individual Notes
Note for: William Moore, 1780 - BET. 1861 - 1871
Index
Occupation: Date: 1851
Place: Retired blacksmith
Event: Type: Census 1851
Date: 30 MAR 1851
Place: 73 Motcombe, Dorset
Event: Type: Census 1861
Date: 7 APR 1861
Place: 21 Motcombe St, Motcombe, Dorset
Event: Type: Census 1841
Date: 7 JUN 1841
Place: Motcombe, Dorset
Individual Notes
Note for: William Moore, 1806 - UNKNOWN
Index
Occupation: Date: 1861
Place: Blacksmith
Event: Type: Census 1861
Date: 7 APR 1861
Place: Pound Lane, Christchurch, Hants
Event: Type: Census 1871
Date: 2 APR 1871
Place: 2 Mount Place, Holdenhurst, Hants
Individual Notes
Note for: John Moore, 16 NOV 1807 - 24 SEP 1875
Index
Christening: Date: 24 NOV 1807
Place: Motcombe, Dorset
Occupation: Date: 1851
Place: Prim Methodist Minister
Event: Type: Census 1851
Date: 30 MAR 1851
Place: 73 Motcombe, Dorset
Event: Type: Census 1871
Date: 2 APR 1871
Place: 326 Long Lane, Saffron Walden, Essex
Event: Type: Census 1861
Date: 7 APR 1861
Place: Little Walden Rd, Saffron Walden, Essex
Event: Type: Census 1841
Date: 7 JUN 1841
Place: Wrockwardine, Salop
Burial: Date: 28 SEP 1875
Place: Enmore Green
Individual Note: From Connexional Biography, supplied by Laurence Clark to Mary Allen from the Primitive Methodist Magazine 1876
REV. JOHN MOORE
The late Rev. John Moore was born at Motcombe, in the county of Dorset, on November 16 1807. His parents held a respectable position in the village, but during his early life they were not pious, and he was not blessed with a religious training.
When he was about 18 years of age, the Primitive Methodist missionaries visited Motcombe, and he was induced to hear them. A powerful revival soon broke out in that neighbourhood, many sinners were brought to God, and he was one of the many saved. In recording this great event he states: "On November 5, 1826, at half-past ten o'clock at night, while on my knees in the kitchen of my uncle James Bartley's farm-house, I cried, 'Lord, thou knowest my state and condition.' Believing in Christ with all my heart, God set my soul at perfect liberty, pardoned all my sins, and gave me the clearest evidence possible of it, at the same moment, 1 knew, as clearly as I knew I existed, that my sins were all forgiven. The Holy Spirit filled me, shed his love abroad in my heart, and witnessed with my spirit that I was born again, and become a Son of God by adoption and grace. O how full I was of the love of God 0 how I then loved God, and every soul of man 0 how I wept for joy, and for the souls of all men On my knees 1 would remain to praise God, and pray for my parents and sister, who were not then saved. When I at length was persuaded to rise and praise God, I stood and sang, 'There is room evermore,' &c. I rejoiced, and shouted 'Praise God' aloud. 0 to think, that God has at last saved me, and given me the great blessing I had so long wished for My aunt Bartley was praying when I believed; but there were my brother, uncle Bartley, Walter, and Stephen on their knees at the same time. My brother and seven more had found the Lord at the meeting at Enmore Green the same night, where we had all been. I went home praising God all the way."
From this account we learn that his conversion was remarkably full and clear. This is an inestimable blessing. Many professing Christians, through the want of it, are in a feeble state, and frequently troubled by doubts and fears. Probably more conversions would be witnessed, if there were more praying in the homes of the people, after retiring from the house of God. Many when they return from the means of grace, engage in foolish talking, and if any of their company have been impressed by the preaching of the gospel, their impressions are weakened, if not destroyed by the improper conduct of those who profess to be Christians. Members of the Church might greatly aid in its prosperity, if they would look more eagerly after anxious souls, and, if they do not obtain peace at the services, retire with them and pray for them
John Moore, having found Jesus, was desirous that others should be saved and he was soon engaged in the important work of guiding sinners to the Saviour. His name was put upon the preachers' plan, and he became an acceptable local preacher.
At the Tunstall District Meeting, in the year 1828, he was taken out to travel, and stationed for Brinkworth circuit. But the first three weeks of his labours, after leaving home, were in the Frome circuit. On Tuesday, May 27, he went to his first appointment at Brinkworth. He states in his journal: "It was a blessed meeting. I found the people at the place of worship earnestly engaged in prayer, and such a crowded congregation that it was some time before I could get to my place. At length I got up, exhorted them to keep their minds stayed on the Lord, and attempted to give a short address, but the divine influence was so great that the people continued to shout. I said but little; we got on our knees again; the presence of God was wonderfully felt; some were brought to the floor by the mighty power." This was a good commencement, and was but the first fruits of a rich harvest of blessings. The circuit and the missions connected with it had long journeys for the preachers to travel, and the work at that time was very arduous but he laboured for two years with considerable success, and helped to mission the surrounding parts of the country after which he was removed to Chester. On this station he endured severe trials, and for some time experienced affliction, but he was cheered by seeing the arm of the Lord made bare in the salvation of souls. In July 1831, he removed to Preston. This station at that time was very extensive; but fresh places were missioned while he travelled there, an additional preacher was taken out, and the good work steadily progressed, though there were much opposition and persecution.
On June 27, 1832, he was married to Miss Parsons, of Motcombe, a person of deep piety, and admirably adapted for the important position of a minister's wife. He then removed to Oldham circuit, where he was favoured with much prosperity. In 1834 ho was stationed for Burnley. He found the station very low, and the state of things most discouraging, but he nobly persevered, and had two prosperous years in this circuit. During that time two preachers were called out; there was an increase of 180 members; 6 Sunday-schools were raised, having about 800 scholars; 2 new chapels were built, 6 rooms taken and fitted up for preaching; galleries were put in Burnley chapel and he commenced building two other chapels before leaving the station. He was next appointed to Shrewsbury circuit, where he arduously and successfully laboured for two years, after which he was sent to Wrockwardine Wood. While labouring in this circuit, he was cheered by seeing many souls brought to God; some remarkable cases of conversion are recorded; and the following account is given of a meeting in Wrockwardine Wood chapel on August 4, 1839. "At six o'clock we commenced a love feast; soon the chapel was crowded in every part, and the Lord, in answer to prayer at the opening, filled it with his presence and, glory. Speaking went on well until sinners were brought into such distress of soul on account of their lost state, we were obliged to turn it into a prayer meeting; and such a cry for mercy took place in every part of the chape1, that soon there was plenty of work for every one who knew the Lord. As speedily as possible we placed four forms, and invited the mourners and broken-hearted to come forward. Some came voluntarily and fell down before the Lord; others were in such deep distress as to become almost helpless, and they were brought forward. Care was particularly taken that persons of piety and experience, and who understood something of the mystery of faith, were engaged to pray for the penitents, and only one at time were allowed to speak to each mourner. All in the chapel were exhorted in and through all to be engaged with God, and fully believe. The praying was truly mighty, and, though at times hell would try to assail us, we were enabled to push the battle to the gate. The Holy Ghost so filled all, that amidst cries for mercy, mighty praying, bursts of hallelujahs and praises to God, it was all harmonious and divinely solemn. At least thirty souls found pardon."
In 1840 his health failed, and he had to relinquish the work; he suffered much through being put into a damp bed. In 1846 he laboured for a few months on the Brighton Mission, and was then removed to London. But his strength was not adequate to the excessive labours required, and he had again to seek rest. He was able to resume the work in 1850, and was stationed for the Swaffham circuit, where he had two happy and prosperous years, and then removed to Bedford, where he travelled two years, and had an increase of about 175 members. In 1860 he was stationed for the Saffron Wa1den circuit, which was an extensive station, and tried him much. He travelled there three years, built several new chapels, and left an increase of upwards of 100 members. His next station was Silchester, which was then a branch of the Reading circuit; he was favoured with considerable prosperity. Though there was strong opposition, he succeeded in building a good eight-roomed preacher's house, and much improved the chapel property. In 1866 he removed to Bagshot Mission. Here he had affliction and sorrow. His much beloved wife died April 30, 1867. She had indeed been a helpmeet to him. His loss was great, and he most acutely felt the bereavement. In 1868 he was stationed, with his son-in-law, on the Torquay Mission. While on this station he was unable fully to engage in the work, and W Tinsley was taken out to supply for him. During the last few years of his ministry he was frequently laid aside for several weeks, through a painful affliction. At the Conference of 1869 he was superannuated. In the early part of that year he was united in marriage to Miss Cotton, of Teignmouth, a very pious, active, and useful member of society. His friends regretted that he had chosen one so much younger than himself, but she was a devotedly affectionate wife, and endeavoured to promote his comfort and usefulness. He resided for some time in time Saffron Walden circuit. He took a house in a village where there was no Primitive Methodist cause. He earnestly laboured for the salvation of the people, and was much esteemed and loved by them. He held three services weekly, and succeeded in raising a society of 19 members. He frequently visited the people and has been called up at night to pray for the sick and dying. After residing there about thirteen months, he returned to Teignmouth, and remained there till December 1874, when he went to reside in the Motcombe circuit. He continued to take an active part in the good work, as far as practicable. The Sunday evening previous to his death, he attended the service at Stoke and appeared very happy; he sang heartily and prayed fervently. The next day he was very unwel1; medical skill was unavailing and on Friday morning, September 24, 1875, he entered into rest. On the following Tuesday he was interred in the graveyard of Enmore Green, as he had expressed a wish to be buried there.
He was a good man, an affectionate husband and father, an indefatigable worker, an efficient superintendent, a strict disciplinarian, a plain earnest and faithful preacher. " For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord: and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's."
H. G. Button.