Ryland's Memoranda

In 1773 (around August) John Ryland wrote to John Manning in Rhode Island, America, giving him a memoranda and some hints. He says there

1. The Calvinistical Baptist ministers in England and Wales are about 200; but I have given away my printed lists, and forgot to ask Mr Wallin for some more. Be so good as to mention it to him.

2. I cannot yet procure a complete list of the Independent ministers and churches. You know there are about 32 in London, and we have 12 or 14 in Northampton.

3. I suppose you know that it was Dr Stennett that procured an order from Government to put a stop to the oppression of the Baptists near Boston. I have not a perfect idea of that affair.

4. Two young men, of good parts and sound knowledge of the learned languages, and men of eloquence and piety, are lately come into the ministry from Mr Evan's academy in Bristol; namely, Mr Biggs, just going to be ordained over the Baptist church at Wantage, in Berkshire, and Mr Danscombe, at Coat in Oxfordshire, whose ordination is to be at tho same time. You will do well to mark them down as men of uncommon merit, worthy of your feathers in a year.

5. The sooner you send over a clear, short, printed account of your college, in its rise and present state, the better. I beg you would pay due and equal attention to our leading men, in presenting each with a copy, that no jealousy or pique against you may arise. You know our chief ministers. We have about 30 or 40 that can read Greek. Let not one be forgot. If you know not all of them, I will inform yon, or take the trouble of giving them a copy in your name.

6. As to your visit to old England, I shall be glad to see you, and will do you all the service I can; but I wish you to attach some more of our ministers to your interest by your pretty baubles first, and also let your account of the college come six months before you.

7. As to your worthy Mathematical Professor, I wish him all possible success; but I must not ...

CALVINISTIC BAPTIST MINISTERS IN ENGLAND WHO CAN READ THE GREEK TESTAMENT, ETC.

1. Samuel Stennett, DD

2. Benjamin Wallin

3. William Clark

4. John Reynolds

5. Abraham Booth

6. Dr. Gifford

(All London)

1. Hugh Evans

2. Caleb Evans

3. Mr Newton

(Bristol)

1. Benjamim Beddome, Bourton on the water, Gloucester.

2. John Ash, Pershore, Worcestershire.

3. Joshua Symmonds, of Bedford, who has lately altered his sentiments from Pedobaptist and honestly is come into and submitted to believer's baptism; for which he is abhorred and despised by the Independent ministers. Give him your best honors.

4. Daniel Turner Abingdon, Berkshire.

5. Mr Robinson of Cambridge.

6. Philip Gibbs of Plymouth.

7. Morgan Jones of Hampstead, Hertfordshire.

8. Samuel James of Hitchin, Hertfordshire. Now dying.

9. Isaac Woodman of Leicestershire.

10. John Brown of Kettering, Northamptonshire.

11. Biggs and Dunscombe; excellent scholars.

12. Robert Day, Wellington, Somersetshire.

13. Benjamin Fuller, Devizes.

14. John Poynting, Worcester.

15. John Oulton, of Rawden in Yorkshire.

16. John Fawcett, of Wainsgate, Yorkshire;  now keeps a seminary.

17. Joseph Jenkins.

18. Benjamin Davies, in Wales, keeps an academy at Abergavenny, about 10 pupils. Give him a feather.

19. Mr John Rippon, at Dr Gill's meeting-house.

20. Ryland, Sen.

21. Ryland, Jun.

Hayden 07b

On pages 91 and 92 Hayden concludes his main section on Beddome thus:

Beddome is representative of the Foskett tradition who in his own ministry echoed much that Foskett held important. The close family tie with John Beddome also underpinned the relationship. However, Beddome is typical of the students trained by Foskett who encourged the use of the 1689 Confession, used a catechetical approach towards religious instruction within the congregation, developed the area of hymn singing to match the changing mood brought about by the Evangelical Revival, and sent further students to train for full-time ministry from within his own congregation. He had an interest in the American Revival and was eager to learn what advanced Baptist work in America.

Hayden 06

On page 88 Hayden also quotes the Bourton church book of April 20, 1781, referring to Turner of Abingdon at the double lecture in Abingdon speaking of revival among Baptists in South Carolina. Some 851 had been baptised.

Hayden goes on to write about the double lecture established among the churches (Abingdon, Fairford, Wantage, Cirencester, Co(a)te and Bourton) 1774-1788. In the six summer months there would be a double lecture (an older and a younger minister preaching) at each of the churches in turn. He gives a typical list for 1774

Fairford: [James] Biggs [Wantage] and [Daniel] Turner [Abingdon] [April]
Wantage: Caleb Evans [Bristol] and Joseph Stennett [London] [May]
Co(a)te: Beddome and Biggs [June]
Cirencester: [Samuel or Thomas] Dunscombe [Cheltenham or Coate] and Turner [July]
Bourton: Biggs and Turner [August]
Abingdon: [Thomas] Davis [Fairford] and Beddome [September]

He gives other details and says that Beddome was usually preaching twice a year at these meetings.

Hayden 05 (Samson Occom)

On page 88 Hayden notes from the church book that in April 1767

 

Having previous notice, the Revd Messers Whittaker and Occam came when we had a meeting at which they both preached ... after which there was a collection taken for the support of the Indian schools under the care of Mr Wheelock of Lebanon, Connecticut, also New England. The collection amounted to £30.

 

This is a reference to Eleazar Wheelock (1711-1779), Nathaniel Whitaker (1730-1795) and native American Samson Occom (1723-1792). Eventually Wheelock founded Dartmouth College. In a history of the college (available here) it is revealed that the £30 donation was made up of £10 10 00 from William Snooke, Esq. and only the other £19 10 00 was "collected at the Rev. Mr. Beddom's".
The Angus Library has Wheelock's printed receipt from London, which he has dated April 29th 1767. The letter is signed by Robert Keen, secretary, a London gentleman who died in 1793.
It is a marginal note that reveals the make up of the £30.
Another marginal note apologises for a previous acknowledgement being possibly misdirected.
Occom preached his way across England from February 16, 1766, to July 22, 1767. He delivered in total between 300 and 400 sermons, drawing large crowds wherever he went. By the end of his tour he had raised over twelve thousand pounds for Wheelock's project.

Hayden 04

Hayden has a section on Beddome (pages 80-92).

He suggests that he was involved in medical studies with Foskett (always writing prescriptions for people) first before switching to theology. Hayden calls him "witty and vivacious". He then gives the story, as found elsewhere on this blog, of Beddome's conversion, baptism, call and settling at Bourton. He gives the date for the building of the manse as early as 1741. He also mentions how early on the Stow church (23 members) officially disbanded and Beddome agreed to supply once a month with the Lord's Supper once a quarter.

He then spends some pages on the London call.

On page 87 he says that Beddome discovered Jonathan Edwards early on and may have been the one who introduced Ryland to him. The distinguishing marks of 1741 was in his Library by April 1742.

Referring to the church books, he mentions the strong Association involvement and visits from other ministers. As examples he mentions

July 12, 1752 Collection for Bro Whitewood of Reading

May 11, 1760 Collection for Bro Hall and Arnsby people

November 9, 1766 For fire in Montreal, Canada

June 3, 1770 For Joshua Andrews of Abergavenny (prompted by Joshua Thomas Leominster)

He also mentions fast days

June 18, 1756 French War

August 13, 1756 War and harvest

April 22, 1757 French War

November 13, 1776 American War

The last a recurring theme.