Another Manksman who must be included as one of the makers of Primitive
Methodism on the Island is William Proctor. As a boy he attended Wellington
Street, Sunday School, and continued to do so into his teens where he found
his companions, one of whom was Murry Wilson. At the age of seventeen he removed
to Liverpool, where, through his associates; he wandered into the barren desert
of free thought with such guides as Voltaire, Thomas Cooper, and Tom Payne.
Returning to the Island, he settled down in life and married a good woman,
a Primitive Methodist. Evan Shimmin had also just married. and he and William
Proctor agreed to take one house between them. This was the means of bringing
the young men together a good deal. Mr. Shimmin was a loyal Primitive Methodist
and a good man. So that the Free Thinker, coming into daily contact with earnest
upright Christians, convinced him when no arguments could that there was reality
in religion. Mr. Proctor began to think differently.. He considered, however,
that Primitive Methodism was not sufficiently intelligent for him, so he sought
out a Mr. W C. Stallibrass, a chaplain, whose father had been a missionary
in Siberia, where he was born. Mr. Stallibrass established a church
in Athol Street, where Mr. Proctor often heard him. One night, after the
sermon, Mr. Proctor accepted the invitation, and met the preacher in his vestry,
and there, after some conversation, surrendered to Christ. After yielding
himself utterly to the Christ, truth found its true perspective, and God's
people appeared in a new light. The Primitive Methodists were just the people
he could work among. He accordingly joined Wellington Street and found his
first work in the Sunday school. Soon after he was asked by Mr. Hill, the
superintendent minister, to came on the preachers' plan. He complied, and
accompanied Mr. James Quiggin to his appointments until in 1854 he came on
the full plan, Mr. Proctor went all over the Island preaching the Word of
Life, walking as much as thirty miles ire one day, and preaching two or three
times. Besides, he has filled all the offices of his own church at Loch Parade,
of which he was one of the founders. Especially has he taken a deep interest
in the Sunday school. Mr Proctor is one of the most capable Sunday school
superintendents it has been our pleasure to know. In this capacity there is
just the right blending of strength and tenderness, to which the young so
readily respond.
With Mr. Keig, Mr. Proctor has taken
a leading part in the government of his town's affairs. He was a
Town Commissioner for over twenty years, a strong debater and
earnest advocate. He continued in the Council when the town became
a borough, and has had the honour conferred upon him of being made
Alderman and Mayor. The Governor has recently made him a Justice
of the Peace for life.
Mr. Proctor has always been regarded as a strong and fearless man. No opposition
could ever move him from a position which, from conviction, he took up.
A great reader and hard thinker, with an equal facility of ready, forceful
utterance, he has mace the impress of his strong personality on our Church.
Although approaching four score years Mr. Proctor is still vigorous, and
takes an active part in the affairs of his Church and town. See Memorial
Notice
Born
1832; in 1881 census living at 29 Castle Street, Douglas -
shoemaker employing 7 people. Curry gives following
biography: