Early itinerant, born in Shaftesbury, Dorset and baptized there on 18 February 1708. After a few years as a gardener and then a button-maker, he enlisted in the army. He came to faith through reading Bunyan's Grace Abounding, helped later on by his contacts with John Cennick and Charles Wesley. Serving with his regiment in France, his zeal led him to form a religious society and he became known as the 'soldier-preacher'. He survived the Battle of Dettingen in 1743 and narrowly escaped death at the allied defeat at Fontenoy in 1745. On returning from the continent he introduced Methodism into his native town and on one occasion was imprisoned in Dorchester on a charge of 'causing a riot' by persisting in preaching. Shaftesbury Quakers secured his release by paying his prison fees. Despite his falling later into periods of depression and doubts, John Wesley made him a travelling preacher in 1747, personally befriended him and took him as a travelling companion. He continued active in the Methodist ranks until his death at Whitchurch, Hants. on 18 August 1784. His gravestone is now preserved in Whitchurch Methodist church.

A later member of the family, Charles Haime (1775-1855) entered the WM ministry in 1804. He was born at Compton (Dorset) on 11 October 1775 and died on 5 November 1855.

Entry written by: HMG
Category: Person
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