Vol 2, pages 1-100 - My Primitive Methodist Ancestors

THE PERIOD OF CIRCUIT PREDOMINANCE AND ENTERPRISE. 91
who for the long period of sixty -three years was associated with the Pickering Circuit
as one of its most prominent and capable officials, and died as recently as 1897.
The family of
Frank has had a long and honourable connection with the Pickering
Circuit, dating back to 1833, when Ann, the fair daughter of
the house, was converted,
and, despite the bitter opposition of her parents and brothers,
joined the Church. In the end her firmness and tact overcame
all family opposition, and she had the joy of welcoming parents
and most of her brothers into the same fellowship. Soon she was
pressed to speak in public, but entered on the work with extreme
diffidence. Her first effort, however, proved so remarkably successful
in its spiritual results, that all scruples were set at rest, and
for sixty long years her name stood on the plan as a local preacher.
Her tall and slender form, her resonant voice bespeaking intense
conviction, and her womanly tact rendered her ministrations very
acceptable, and she preached far and wide in the villages round
Pickering and Kirby-Moorside. For three or four years after
beginning to preach she was accompanied by a young lady-friend, Alice Jane Garvin,
who was gifted with an excellent voice and sang the gospel while the other preached
it. The two sometimes went on foot, but at other times, we are told, each rode on
a smart well-groomed donkey ;
and the picture thus called up is not at all an unpleasing
one When Ann Frank entered into the marriage state with Mr. Swales her chosen
work suffered little interruption. In their home at Pickering cheerful hospitality was
dispensed, and the godly pair had the satisfaction of seeing their only son enter the
ranks of the ministry in which he has faithfully served upwards of thirty-six years.*
Mrs. Swales died February 4th, 1895.
Our sketch of the past history of Pickering Circuit would be incomplete were it to
contain no reference to Messrs. J. Frank, J.P., of Pickering, and W. Allenby, of
Helmsley. Both happily survive as veterans, with a record of more than half
a century's faithful service, that has been of untold advantage
to the district in which they reside. Mr. Frank is the Circuit
Steward, and has been connected with the Pickering Sunday
School for fifty years. Mr. Allenby
is also a Sunday School
Superintendent, and became a local preacher in the early fifties,
along with his life-long
THE WOLD CIRCUITS :
friend, Rev. Joseph Sheale.
DRIFFIELD AND BRIDLINGTON.
Both Driffield and Bridlington are "in the Wolds." The two
towns were missioned about the same time, and, as heads of
branches or circuits, their relations with each other have been
close and intimate ; indeed, for some years Bridlington was a branch
of Driffield Circuit.
31 K, VV . A l.l,r. .N ) i i .
Hence, as geographically and historically the two go together, they
may be fittingly considered under the common designation of "the Wold Circuits."
* Their daughter, too, it may be noted, is married to the Rev. "W. A. Eyre.