Rev John William PLAXTON [35965]

   Another name for John was John William QUILTER.

  General Notes:

John was the son of William Plaxton and Mary Ann Nightingale (Metcalf) Plaxton
Brother of Ada (Plaxton) Atkinson

John was born in 1873, his father William was recorded as a tanner.

On the 3rd April 1881 the England Census records John as 8 yrs old, a scholar, living in Beverley YKS, his father was recorded as a general labourer, he died later in 1881.

In 1891 census John is 18 yrs, described as student and adopted son of Nona Quilter (head of house) living at Lea, Herefordshire.

John is recorded in the 1901 Census as a clergyman

John William Plaxton 1873-1935. I still know very little about John's early life. He is described as a scholar in the 1881 census, but where did he go to school? What are the origins of his connection with the Minster? The two earliest fragments of information we have are the photograph of a young boy in chorister's robes, and the letter from H E Nolloth (qv). This letter, dated 1887, around the time of JW's confirmation, is the first to reference the relationship between him and Nona Quilter. By the census of 1891 a clearer picture emerges. JW is now 18. He is living with Nona Quilter as a son in Lea, Herefordshire and is described as a student. He matriculates at Oxford University 15^th October 1892 as a non-collegiate student.
He was ordained deacon in 1897, holding curacies at Denton 1897-99, and Newburn-on Tyne 1899-1901. He married Mary Elizabeth Stone (1877-1949) (whose father had moved from being a commercial clerk to the secretary of a public company in Gateshead, County Durham) in 1902 and left the Newcastle Diocese for Bath & Wells, first at St Cuthbert's Wells, and then Priest Vicar of Well's Cathedral before becoming the parish priest of Langport in Somerset. His death at a relatively young age (52) from Parkinson's came as a real blow to many. Realizing his health was failing he retired early from his living and returned to Wells but this did not provide the healing that he might have hoped for.
He was much loved. An excerpt from the Langport and Somerton Herald reads: 'Many townspeople and others in the immediate district feel a sense of personal loss by Mr Plaxton's death, for during the sixteen years he had been in Langport he cultivated a real friendship amongst all those amongst whom he worked. Not only was he greatly loved by those to whom he ministered but he was very much respected by members of other denominations. He was a man of high principles and set a wonderful example of loyalty and devotion to duty. His genuine sympathy was always readily extended to those in suffering and in need.'
Nona Quilter died a year later; her name does not appear in any of the obituary cuttings we have. Probate records name JW's son Cecil as the beneficiary of her will.
Notes & Images Courtesy of J. Brown 2024

  Other Records

1. John William Plaxton: Letter from Canopn Edward Henry Nolloth, 12 Feb 1887, Beverley YKS.
The Vicarage
Beverley
Feb 12.1887

My Dear Willie,
I write to tell you that the Confirmation is on March 3rd, and meant to have done so before: but I hope you will have heard it, and are being prepared - I suppose by Mr. Cooper.
The best preparation, and what makes us really "fit" is the hearty wish to be a real Christian; to do what God has put us into this world for, to be guided by "principle", which means - to do what is right, not for our own wishes, or our own interest, or our own pleasure, but because it is right; humbly trusting in the Righteousness and Death of Christ for pardon and peace with God, and to His Holy Spirit for guidance and help; and living prayerfully, watchfully and in the study of the Bible to know God's will better.
With this earnest wish, Confirmation will be a real "Strengthening" to us. May it be so to you, my dear boy.
I hope that you are still getting stronger. Please give our love to Miss Quilter, who we hope is also well, and believe me
Your affectionate Friend,
H E Nolloth
A letter dated February 12^th 1887 from Canon Edward Henry Nolloth, vicar of Beverley Minster from 1880-1920 to John William Plaxton prior to his confirmation and referencing Miss Quilter. (Origional with J Brown)

2. England: Census, 1891, Hunters Hall Lea HRT.
John is recorded as John W Plaxton adopted son (of Nona Quilter) single aged 18 student born Beverley YKS

3. England: Census, 1911, St Andrews Lodge Wells SOM.
John is described as John William Plaxton head of house aged 38 married a clergyman born Beverley YKS

John married Mary Elizabeth STONE [35966] [MRIN: 13047] in 1902. (Mary Elizabeth STONE [35966] was born in 1877 and died in 1949.)