Dictionary of National Biography, 1912 supplement/Lord, Thomas

1532947Dictionary of National Biography, 1912 supplement, Volume 2 — Lord, Thomas1912Charlotte Fell Smith

LORD, THOMAS (1808–1908), congregational minister, born of poor parents at Olney, Buckinghamshire, on 22 April 1808, was son of John Lord by his wife Hannah Austin. Mainly self-taught, he was apprenticed to a shoemaker. After his family removed to Northampton in 1816 he became a Sunday school scholar and teacher. Having preached in the villages for some years he was ordained for the congregational ministry on 14 Oct. 1834. He filled successively the pastorates of Wollaston, Northamptonshire (1834–45), Brigstock (1845–63), Horncastle (1863–66), Deddington, Oxfordshire (1866–73). In 1873 he accepted a call to Great Bridge, Staffordshire, and resigning that pastorate in 1879 continued to live there, and frequently delivered occasional sermons. In 1899 he returned to Horncastle, where his only daughter, Mrs. Hodgett, resided, and still pursued his career as preacher. His hundredth birthday was celebrated at Horncastle in 1908, when he received a congratulatory telegram from King Edward VII. In his 101st year he occupied the pulpits at Horncastle, Peterborough, Lincoln, Alford, Louth, Wainfleet, Skegness, Boston, Kirkstead, and Tuddenham near Ipswich. When unable to read he recited the scriptures.

He was one of the founders of the Congregational total abstinence association, and a member of the Peace Society from its foundation and of the Liberation Society. He is said to have preached over 10,000 sermons. He died at Horncastle after a few hours' illness on 21 Aug. 1908, aged 100 years and 121 days. He married in 1830 Elizabeth Whimple (d 1889) and left two sons and a daughter.

Lord published in 1859 a memorial sermon on Sir Arthur de Capell Broke of Great Oakley Manor, Northamptonshire, who maintained an open-air mission at Stanion, a neighbouring village. Lord also printed ‘Heavenly Light, The Christian's Desire' (1861), and 'Precept and Practice' (1864).

[Congregational Year Book, 1909, p. 179, with engraving of portrait taken on his 100th birthday; The Times, 22 Aug. 1908; private information.]

C. F. S.