William Medlen Hutchings

HUTCHINGS, William Medlen. b. Devonport, 28 August 1827; d. Camberwell, London, 21 May 1876. He was the son of William Hutchings, a carpenter. At the age of 11 he moved to London, presumably with his family. He was apprenticed to a printer, and became a member of a Bible Class. In 1849 he left London for Wigan, Lancashire, to become a Congregational missionary. He entered business as a printer and became manager of the Wigan Examiner. He led a Bible Class, and lectured on temperance for the Band of Hope. He preached in chapels in the Wigan area, and became Superintendent of the Sunday School at St Paul's Independent Chapel. In 1860 he took part in a public debate with Charles Bradlaugh, the...