Historical information

James Bickford (1816-1895), Wesleyan clergyman, was born on 6 May 1816 in Modbury, Devon, England, fifth child of John Bickford, tenant farmer, and his wife Anne, née Whiteway. He received an elementary education and then worked for a commercial house at near-by Kingsbridge in 1830. Although raised in the Church of England, Bickford joined the Wesleyan society at Kingsbridge and was appointed a local preacher in 1835. He decided to become a missionary, and after a short informal training by the Wesleyan Missionary Society was ordained on 29 October 1838.

Rev James Bickford became superintendent of the Yarra Street, Geelong, circuit in 1866. He was elected president of the Australasian Conference in 1868. Increased involvement in public affairs followed his appointment to Wesley Church, Melbourne, in 1870 and he was associated with the Society for Promoting Morality and the Sabbath Defence Association. Despite his previous advocacy of a 'mixed system' of education he supported the Victorian Education Act of 1872 as the only solution to sectarianism. [Source: https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/bickford-james-2993]

Physical description

Brown leather with gilt embossing and illuminated borders. The Testimonial contains the signatures of the Circuit Stewards.