Silas Gill
Silas Edward Herbert Gill was an English-born Australian Methodist preacher.[1]
Early life
[edit]Silas Gill was born in East Sussex in England in 1806. His birth date is believed to be 24 December.[1]
Gill married Mercy Catt in June 1826 and moved to Australia in the mid-1830s with four children.
Career
[edit]After moving to the Kempsey area in 1859, Gill set up the Methodist Church of Kempsey. He ran it until a Methodist priest came to the area a few years later.[2]
He is also credited with preaching in areas across Northern New South Wales.[1]
He lost all of his possessions in a flood in 1864, but announced he had not lost his faith.[1]
He did all of his religious work for free, and was never paid.[1]
Death
[edit]Silas Gill died suddenly on 10 September 1875, aged 68.[1]
Honours
[edit]The Gill Bridge over the Kempsey River bears his name.[1]
Gill Street, Kempsey is also named after him.[2]