Salvation Army personal papers collections: Elijah Cadman

Scope and Content

Papers of Commissioner Elijah Cadman, c1861-1998.

Elijah Cadman was born in 1843, he married Maria Rosina Russell in 1865 and joined the Christian Mission as a preacher in 1876, after a period with the Primitive Methodists. He was the first minister to use rank and was the first leader of the Men's Social Work Wing. He died on 12 December 1927.

These records have been divided into the following series:

CAD/1 Correspondence

CAD/2 Notes

CAD/3 Miscellaneous papers

CAD/4 Press cuttings

Administrative / Biographical History

Elijah Cadman was born in Coventry on 10 December 1843 to Elijah Cadman (1817-1888) and Mary Poole (d 1857). Elijah senior was transported to Australia for stealing in 1845. Cadman worked in a weaving factory as a child and as a chimney sweep until he was 13. In 1865 he married Maria Rosina Russell (b 1841). He later became a Primitive Methodist local preacher and then joined the Christian Mission in 1876. He was the first minister in the Mission to use a rank; Cadman called himself 'Captain' while stationed at Whitby. He was the first leader of the Men's Social Work Wing. Cadman accompanied William Booth on all his motorcades and himself toured Africa in 1903, Australia in 1907 and Canada in 1908-1909. Elijah and Marina Cadman retired from active service in 1915. Marina died on 8 January 1923, and Cadman on 12 December 1927 both at Catford. They had had 6 chlidren: Harriet, Rachel, Beatrice and Charles, and Alice and Samson (who died as children).

Access Information

Open for research. The reading room of The Salvation Army International Heritage Centre is open Tue-Fri 9.30-4.00. It is advisable to make an appointment. Tel: 0207 326 7800; email: heritage@salvationarmy.org.uk.

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