Pilgrim Soldier

My great, great grandfather/mother were early day Commissioners Thomas & Mary Ann Estill who served with great distinction on 5 different continents. Of their children 4 became officers and at least 4 of their grandchildren were also officers. After that I’m not sure, but I know of at least one great grandchild who followed in their footsteps (my Mum)! I know family still exist in the southern US and in Australia but haven’t been able to contact them at all.

Having done some research into the family I’m proud of the heritage! Commissioner Estill was converted at Whitby under the leadership of Elijah Cadman with Mrs Commissioner Dowdle leading him to Christ! He was married to his wife by the Founder himself in the Nottingham Chapel where William Booth dedicated himself to God’s work. He served alongside some of the Army greats like Evangeline Booth and Commissioner Yamamuro of Japan. His funeral in New York was conducted by Evangeline Booth and the benediction was pronounced by a certain Commissioner Brengle.

You might wonder why I should go on about this? Why would anyone be interested?

Well firstly it might explain one reason why I feel such a strong calling to this Salvation Army of ours. But I think it is something else! Commissioner Thomas Estill became an officer at 19 and died in office as a Territorial Commander some 48 years later, yet in the official Army history books he is mentioned on only a handful of occasions.

The thing that stands out for me thought is that in everything I’ve read about him, he never lost his hunger to see people saved and for me he’s one of my Heroes of the Faith!