Getting to the Meeting House (AI)

Benjamin Beddome, who served as pastor of the Baptist church in Bourton-on-the-Water for over 50 years, lived a considerable distance from the chapel. He resided in a house about a mile away from the church, located along the Rissington Road. Historical accounts suggest that he would often walk to the chapel on Sunday mornings.

Beddome’s Sunday Routine

Walking to the Chapel

Walking was the most common mode of transportation for clergy and congregants in the 18th century, particularly in rural areas like Bourton-on-the-Water. Beddome's relatively short distance to the chapel made walking practical and allowed him time for contemplation or prayer as he prepared to lead worship.

The Scenic Route

The walk along the Rissington Road would have taken Beddome through the charming countryside and village surroundings, offering a peaceful and reflective start to his Sunday duties.

Occasional Use of Horse or Carriage

While walking was the norm, it's possible that in adverse weather or later in life, Beddome might have occasionally used a horse or a small carriage for convenience, though no specific records confirm this.

Spiritual Reflection During Travel

As a hymn writer and theologian, it’s plausible that the walk provided Beddome with inspiration for his hymns or sermons. His pastoral duties required much mental and spiritual preparation, and a walk through the tranquil landscape of Bourton would have been a fitting prelude to worship.

This simple routine reflects the modesty and dedication of Beddome's life and ministry, hallmarks of 18th-century Baptist pastors. His example would have resonated with his congregation, emphasizing humility and devotion.

What about a sedan chair? An interesting idea, but it seems unlikely given his circumstances and the context of rural Baptist life in 18th-century England.

Sedan Chairs in 18th-Century England

Primarily Urban Transport

Sedan chairs were most commonly used in urban areas by wealthy individuals, as streets in cities like London or Bath were often too narrow or muddy for carriages. They were less common in rural settings like Bourton-on-the-Water.

Cost and Maintenance

Employing a sedan chair required not only the chair itself but also the services of at least two chairmen to carry it. For a Baptist minister like Beddome, known for his humility and modest means, this would likely have been seen as an unnecessary expense.

Cultural Considerations

The Baptist tradition emphasized simplicity and equality, and such a display of comfort or status might have been viewed as at odds with the values of his congregation.

How Beddome Likely Travelled
Walking

Walking remains the most plausible mode of travel for Beddome. It was practical, cost-free, and aligned with the modest lifestyle expected of a Baptist minister.

Horse or Simple Conveyance

If physical infirmity or weather made walking difficult, he might have used a horse or a small, locally available cart.

Community Support

In small, tight-knit communities, congregants often assisted their ministers. If necessary, someone in the congregation might have offered Beddome a ride in a cart or carriage.

Conclusion

While sedan chairs were a feature of 18th-century transportation, they would have been an unusual choice for a rural Baptist minister like Benjamin Beddome. Walking, with occasional assistance from a horse or cart, better aligns with both the geographical and cultural realities of his time and position.

*

If Benjamin Beddome was invited to preach at Stow-on-the-Wold, a neighbouring town approximately 4-5 miles from Bourton-on-the-Water, the journey would likely have been more complex than his usual Sunday routine. In such cases, his mode of transport would have depended on practicalities like weather, terrain, and available resources.

Travelling to Stow-on-the-Wold

Walking

Walking was a common mode of travel even for longer distances in the 18th century, especially for those in rural areas. While a 4-5 mile journey might have taken about 1.5-2 hours on foot, Beddome was known for his pastoral dedication and might not have minded the walk.

The journey would involve hilly terrain as Stow is situated at a higher elevation, making walking more strenuous than his local walk to the Bourton chapel.

Horseback

Riding a horse was a practical and relatively fast way to travel such a distance. Horses were commonly used for rural travel, even among modest clergy, as they provided a balance between speed and cost-effectiveness.

Given Stow’s location on the Cotswold hills, a horse would have been particularly helpful for navigating the uphill paths.

Cart or Carriage

If the journey required carrying items (eg books or materials for preaching) or if Beddome was travelling with others, a cart or carriage might have been used. While less common for rural Baptist ministers, borrowing or renting a cart from a local farmer or congregant could have been an option.

Assistance from Congregants

In the spirit of Baptist community, members of either the Bourton or Stow congregations might have offered Beddome a ride. This mutual support was typical in small church communities.

Conclusion

If Benjamin Beddome travelled to preach in Stow, horseback would have been the most likely and practical option, balancing efficiency with the modesty expected of a Baptist minister. However, walking or relying on the assistance of congregants were also plausible, reflecting the communal and resourceful nature of his ministry.

Getting to the meeting house

By consulting a map of 1748 reproduced elsewhere on this blog, it becomes clear that to walk to church Beddome would have left the manse and crossed the Windrush by means of one of four low stone bridges, presumably the most convenient one, almost next to the manse. On the other side of the Windrush, he would not turn west towards the parish church but east until he came to a left hand turn that would take him past William Snooke's grand house to the meeting house, opposite a piece of land owned by the Burfords.

If he was preaching in Stow that day, no doubt he would have saddled his horse, and this time not turned left but carried on to the nearby Roman Road, the Fosse Way, where he would have ridden north easterly the four miles or so, across the Eye and the Dikler, to Stow and the chapel on Sheep Street.

Rebuilding 1764

In Pictures from the past Thomas Brooks writes

We have seen our fathers building a new chapel in 1701, erecting a house for their minister in 1741, "enlarging and repairing" the chapel in 1748, and strengthening the same in 1750. We must now notice a work which exceeds in magnitude either of the preceding. The following extract from the church-book, will set it clearly before us
 

"Oct 10, 1764. We entered upon a subscription for enlarging and rebuilding our meeting house, in which Mr. Snook was the principal actor, and of which he was the most generous promoter. The old meeting-house, though altered and enlarged, was neither convenient nor sufficiently capacious, yet most were contented. However, through the indefatigable application of Mr Snook, the new building was erected."
 

The dimensions of this new chapel were forty feet by thirty-five within the walls. The materials of the old chapel were made available as far as possible, or prudent, and exclusive of these, the cost of the new building was, £473 14s. l0d. Toward this sum, £69 were received as "Benefactions from abroad." These were almost exclusively from London. Dr. Stennett procured and sent twenty guineas; George Baskerville, Esq., contributed ten guineas, and sent ten guineas more for a friend of his. Of the £404 raised by the church and congregation, Mr. Snook gave £128 7s., i.e., £100, and the pulpit, sounding-board, &c., which cost £28 7s. Mr. Beddome contributed £30, and the rest was raised by smaller subscriptions, ranging from £20 to 5s.

It must not be overlooked, however, that much work was given, as well as money. And but for this the cost of the building would have appeared to be much greater.

"Mr Snook employed his team and servants almost continually. Mr. Boswell sent his team twenty-four days; Dr Paxford twenty-four days; Mr Truby five days; Thomas Cresser one day; John Strange six days; Mr Eadburn two days; Mr Hurbert six days; Robert Taylor two days; Mr Bosbery one day; William Wood two days; John Hurbert, labourer, gave a week's work, and John Phillips gave the same with self and horse."
 

The new chapel appears to have been opened in August, 1765. In that year the Association met at Bourton, and as the new chapel would not be ready at Whitsuntide it was agreed to defer the meeting to Wednesday, August 14th.