Elizabeth White: A teenage preacher in 19-century England
11 March 2025
At just 15 years old, Elizabeth White became a local preacher, a testament to the Primitive Methodists' revolutionary stance on a woman’s role in religious life. Unlike the Wesleyan Methodists, who in 1803 had strictly limited women to Sunday School work and philanthropic meetings, the Primitive Methodists embraced a democratic approach that saw all members as equal, addressing each other as brothers and sisters.
Elizabeth White was born on 19 November 1816 in Stratum St. Margaret's (now Stratton St Margaret near Swindon) to James and Sarah White, who were farmers. Orphaned at a young age, she experienced a profound religious conversion in 1831 at the age of fourteen. She wrote in her diary:
O Lord, help me to praise thee! O hadst not thou loved my soul, I should have been reaping my reward in the bottomless pit. Bless thy name, thou hast given me a heart to love thee, and hast made me truly happy in thy love, whereof I am glad. But how can I praise thee enough, for what thou hast done for me? O how can I sufficiently make known thy goodness! Had I a thousand tongues I could not utter all thy love. “I’ll carve my passion on the bark Of every forest tree; And every leaf shall bear the mark, That Jesus died for me”
Memoir of Elizabeth White by her husband, Boaz Tripp, Primitive Methodist Itinerant Preacher.Elizabeth’s preaching career began in 1832, when she was officially placed on the preachers' plan. Her ministry was characterised by a simplicity that deeply moved her congregations. Her husband described her preaching style as profoundly affecting, with listeners frequently moved to tears by her simple yet vulnerable manner of delivering sermons.
The challenges she faced were significant. Elizabeth would often travel extensive distances, sometimes walking up to twenty-five miles to deliver her message. On one occasion, she noted her extreme exhaustion after such a journey, yet remained committed to "preaching the word of life to perishing sinners". Her dedication came at a considerable personal cost, with her health often suffering from the physical demands of her ministry.
What made Elizabeth's journey particularly remarkable was the cultural context in which she was operating. In an era when women were expected to be passive and focused on domestic tasks, she boldly stepped into a public religious role. Her preaching was not just about delivering sermons, but about challenging societal norms and demonstrating women's spiritual capabilities.
Her impact extended beyond her immediate congregations. She was instrumental in the conversion of several soldiers in the Caribbean:
“I have received a letter from James Hicks, a soldier in the West Indies. He informs me that my letters have been a mean of his conversion to God; and also thirty more of his mates (fellow soldiers) are brought into the way; and he believes they al enjoy the love of God in their hearts. He begs me to accept his thanks for my letters. This is good news from a far country. E. White.”
Memoir of Elizabeth White by her husband, Boaz Tripp, Primitive Methodist Itinerant Preacher.This highlights the broader evangelical mission of the Primitive Methodists and the potential for spiritual influence beyond traditional ministerial boundaries.
In 1836, she married Boaz Tripp, a Primitive Methodist itinerant preacher, but she passed away months after her marriage on 16 February 1837. Elizabeth’s legacy stands as a testament to the Primitive Methodists' commitment to spiritual equality and the extraordinary potential of young women in ministry.