WILLIAM & CATHERINE BOOTH “THROUGH BLOOD AND FIRE (PART 2)

A Family Legacy

Mary Booth was Samuel’s second wife. His first, Sarah Lockitt, had died of unspecified causes on January 13, 1819, at the age of fifty-three. Samuel and Sarah had had at least one son together, William Adcock (or Hadcock), but he died of consumption (Tuberculosis) at the age of twenty-four.

A New Chapter
Samuel met Mary Moss during the summer of his son’s death, and after a short courtship, they married on November 2, 1824. Samuel, still an aspiring businessman, was nearing fifty, and Mary was thirty-three. The reason for a short courtship was likely that this was a marriage of convenience.

A Comfortable Childhood
Together, Samuel and Mary had five children: Henry, born January 6, 1826 (died January 6, 1828); Ann, birth date unknown, but baptized April 1, 1827; William, born April 10, 1829; Emma, born January 21, 1831, who would be an invalid her entire life; and Mary, born September 16, 1832. For William and his sisters, life was much more comfortable than it was for most.

A Young Leader
William began attending the academy of Nottingham at the age of six, quickly becoming a standout among his peers for his strength of will, leadership abilities, and impulsive chicanery. These traits earned him the nicknames “Willful Will” and “Wellington,” after the Duke of Wellington, who was famous for his military victories, most notably his defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo.

A Master at Sport
William earned this latter title because he was a master at sport. As with the young Charles Finney, if you wanted to win, then you made sure Booth was on your team-and, if possible, your captain. TO BE CONTINUED…

Tale Tuesday 077  

Date:   12th March, 2024
Title: : William & Catherine Booth “Through Blood and Fire” (Part 2)
Source:  God’s generals- The Revivalists 
Author: Roberts Liardon