James Maughan  was born at Seaton Burn, near Newcastle-upon-Tyne and from an early age attended the Methodist New Connexion Sunday-school.
He was a brilliant speaker, and at age 20 was called on to replace the ailing Rev. J. Hilton.
In 1848 he was appointed minister on probation, preaching in the Bradford circuit.
In 1849 he became minister at Macclesfield, followed by a year in Derby, another year in Dewsbury, two years in London, two years in Leeds, and three each in Dudley and Bristol.

He was sent to Melbourne, Victoria aboard the Blanche Moore to serve as a New Connexion missionary, arriving in August 1862.
He visited Adelaide in November 1862, and found he could be more usefully employed there.
Within weeks the congregation had swollen to such an extent they had to move from the West Adelaide Assembly Rooms ("Hillier's Rooms") in Hindley Street to White's Rooms on King William Street, then built a manse on Whitmore Square and a new Church on Franklin Street.
In April 1869 he left for England, in company with Samuel Way, in the hope of regaining his failing health, then returned without improvement aboard the Yatala and was back in Adelaide in October 1870, but never returned to his former level of activity.
He died on the seventeenth anniversary of his marriage.

His widow was noted for her involvement with the Women's Christian Temperance Union and her work with women prisoners of Adelaide Gaol, in company with Lady Colton and Sister Grace.
James Maughan  was born at Seaton Burn, near Newcastle-upon-Tyne and from an early age attended the Methodist New Connexion Sunday-school. He was a brilliant speaker, and at age 20 was called on to replace the ailing Rev. J. Hilton. In 1848 he was appointed minister on probation, preaching in the Bradford circuit. In 1849 he became minister at Macclesfield, followed by a year in Derby, another year in Dewsbury, two years in London, two years in Leeds, and three each in Dudley and Bristol.
He was sent to Melbourne, Victoria aboard the Blanche Moore to serve as a New Connexion missionary, arriving in August 1862. He visited Adelaide in November 1862, and found he could be more usefully employed there. Within weeks the congregation had swollen to such an extent they had to move from the West Adelaide Assembly Rooms ("Hillier's Rooms") in Hindley Street to White's Rooms on King William Street, then built a manse on Whitmore Square and a new Church on Franklin Street. In April 1869 he left for England, in company with Samuel Way, in the hope of regaining his failing health, then returned without improvement aboard the Yatala and was back in Adelaide in October 1870, but never returned to his former level of activity. He died on the seventeenth anniversary of his marriage.
His widow was noted for her involvement with the Women's Christian Temperance Union and her work with women prisoners of Adelaide Gaol, in company with Lady Colton and Sister Grace.
James Maughan