He was Hugh Bourne`s first convert. Bourne felt a deep concern for the spiritual welfare of his cousin Daniel Shubotham, then a profane and drunken man. Overcoming his natural shyness, on Christmas day 1800 Bourne took him for a walk, talked to him long and earnestly and left with him a written account of his own conversion. A few days later Shubotham experienced a mystical vision of Jesus on the cross which completed his conversion. Gradually there was formed a little company of such 'Conversation Preachers'; cottage meetings were held where converts learned to speak and pray in the presence of others. Shubotham was immediately set to work as the leader of a class at Harriseahead. Meetings there were very fervent and often the people wanted to continue beyond the arranged time, but Hugh Bourne would not permit this. It was in answer to a protest one night that Daniel Shubotham said, half humorously 'You shall have a whole day`s praying on Mow some Sunday and then you`ll be satisfied.'

Daniel Shubotham`s portrait does not appear on the 1907 centenary plate, although Mow Cop was actually his idea. However when the Wesleyan Conference roundly condemned Camp Meetings and this led to a bitter dispute and the breakaway formation of Primitive Methodism in 1811, Daniel Shubotham decided to remain loyal to the Wesleyans. Shubotham remained in regular contact with Bourne until 1810. He continued as a Wesleyan class leader until at least 1813 and according to Bourne's journals may have preached for them in the Burslem circuit during this time.

Entry written by: JG
Category: Person
Comment on this entry