Fletcher family, of Silsden

Joshua Fletcher (1802-1875), a wool-comber, was converted under John Flesher and became a PM local preacher in 1822. He was elected a member of the PM Deed Poll in 1873 and gave financial support to a number of chapels. His son William Fletcher (born 16 July1828; died 25 December 1886), a successful manufacturer and chairman of the Silsden Liberal Association, was treasurer of the General Chapel Fund. He attended eight PM Conferences. William's son Richard Fletcher (b.1851) was a manufacturer of fancy goods, a JP, a member of the Urban District Council and County Councillor. He was Vice-President of the Conference in 1907. Another son, Tom Fletcher (b.1854), a coal merchant, was Vice-President of the Conference in 1911. He was Vice-President of the Liberal Association for the Skipton Division and Chairman of the District Council. All were local preachers and held many offices in the local PM church and Sunday School.

Sources
  • W.J. Robson, Silsden Primitive Methodism: records and reminiscences (Silsden, 1910)

Entry written by: WL
Category: Person
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