Beddome on Friendship Part 2

Lehtikuva, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The duty of friendship

When one thinks of friendships among Baptist ministers in the eighteenth century one instinctively thinks of Fuller, Sutcliffe and Ryland, who held the ropes for Carey. Beddome does not seem to have had a ministerial friendship of that sort although in The Baptist Register Rippon refers to the younger man, who preached Beddome's funeral sermon, Benjamin Francis (1734-1799) as his "affectionate friend".

Beddome had several good friends in the congregation at Bourton including his father-in-law Richard Boswell (d 1783), William Snooke (1730-1799) and later,
Snooke's brother-in-law, Richard Hall (1728-1801). Their father-in-law Benjamin Seward (1705-1753) of Bengeworth was likely another friend of Beddome's. Beddome, sometimes accompanied by his wife, would often take tea at her father's or at Snooke's or at one or other of the wealthier church members' homes.

When a student he came to know Sarah Evans. His friendship with Hugh Evans (1712-1781) and especially Sarah Evans nee Browne (1713-1751) goes back to Bristol days. It is referred to by her son Caleb in a funeral address he gave for his stepmother Ann. Beddome took Sarah's funeral and wrote an epitaph for her grave.

Henry Keene (1727-1797) was probably another friend. Keene was a coal merchant and a well respected deacon in the Mazae Pond church in London. A warm letter written in November 1772 from Beddome to Keene is preserved in the NLW, Aberystwyth, part of the Isaac Mann collection.

John Ryland's father. John Collett Ryland (1723-1792), was born in Bourton on the Water and spent his formative years in that area. Only six years younger than Beddome, the two became friends when in 1740 Ryland Senior was one of about 40 converts in a revival that marked the early period of Beddome's ministry. Beddome baptised Ryland in October, 1741 and when the latter began to show an interest in also being a minister, a strong friendship blossomed between the two. As mentor, Beddome "led him forward to the work of the ministry with the fostering hand of a wife and kind parent" (according to a funeral sermon for Ryland by John Rippon, Gentle Dismission, 37-38). As to their friendship, Beddome called Ryland Sr. his "dearest friend:" and the two kept in contact well after Ryland Sr. left Bourton and moved to Bristol and became a minister in Warwick and then Northampton (Newman, Rylandiana, 137-39. See also Lon Graham, All Who Love Our Blessed Redeemer The Catholicity of John Ryland Jr.).

Beddome was no doubt friend also to several others in the congregation who went on to become ministers themselves, notably men like John Reynolds (1730-1792) Nathanael Rawlings (1733-1809) and Richard Haines (d 1767).

In the second part of the sermon Beddome speaks about the duty of friendship highlighted in the verse he preaches He that hath friends should show himself friendly.

“Act agreeably to the connexions formed,” says Beddome, “and the confidence reposed in him.” He goes on

Though the forming of friendships is a matter not of necessity but of choice, yet, when they are formed, it is highly incumbent upon us that we should so regulate our temper and conduct as may best tend to their continuance and improvement.

He says four things about this

We should take care that our inward sentiments and feelings perfectly agree with our outward professions

Undissembled integrity becomes the man, and adorns the Christian. Extravagant professions of regard, and large promises of help and assistance, are to be avoided, as also lavish praises and commendations; for these, however gratifying they may be to a weak man, will rather be disgusting to a wise one. We should never speak more than our hearts feel, or enter into engagements which we may possibly want both an ability and inclination to perform. This is the character that David gives of men in a very degenerate age: They speak vanity every one to his neighbour, with flattering lips, and with a double heart do they speak

We should not be shy in using our friends, or backward in receiving kindnesses from them

He quotes Young again “Reserve will wound it, and distrust destroy.” He goes on

It is as much an act of friendship without hesitation to accept a favour, as readily to confer one; and the not doing so at proper and convenient seasons has begotten a jealousy and suspicion that we would not lay an obligation upon another because we are so loth to come under one ourselves but a real friend should be willing to do both. He should give and receive advice, admit frequent visits and repay them, inquire into the grievances of another and tell his own, partake of the bounty of his friend, and let require. Mutual sympathy, and a readiness to communicate to each other's wants, is necessary among friends: Have pity upon me, O my friends! says Job. Friendship is a profession of love, and love should not only be professed, but acted upon.

We should prefer the interests and welfare of their souls to that of their bodies

Thus did Christ, the friend of publicans and sinners, when he was upon earth, and thus should all his followers do; and surely those will be most indebted to us for our friendship, whose everlasting felicity is promoted by it.

He then says, firstly,

We should pray for our friends; thus did Job for his, though by their uncharitable invectives they had greatly added to the weight of his afflictions, and his prayers returned into his own bosom. Yet he obtained a blessing both for himself and them. If we can do nothing else for our friends, we can pray for them; and whatever else we have done, or can do, this should not be neglected.

And secondly

We should faithfully reprove them when they do amiss. Not to do this is represented as an evidence of hatred: Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart; thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him and therefore to do it is an instance of the greatest love, and a wise and good man will esteem it so. Let the righteous smite me, says David, and it shall be an excellent oil but then we must do it in a friendly manner, secretly, and not so as to expose him; with meekness and tenderness, and not so as to irritate and provoke him; and at the most convenient season, when he is most likely to bear it, and be benefited by it.

We should carefully avoid all those things which may either break the bonds of friendship, or weaken them

We should not, by divulging his secrets, abuse the confidence that our friend has placed in us. We should guard against envy if providence has exalted him above us; and of coldness and neglect if he is sunk into a state of inferiority to us. We should also shun the company of those who are given to calumny and detraction, for Solomon tells us that a whisperer separateth chief friends and, lastly, if by any notorious miscarriage, or unmerited provocations, they have forfeited our friendship, we should remember that we still owe them common charity, if prudence prohibits our former familiarity with them. Religion should restrain us from turning our love into hatred.

Conclusion

The sermon concludes with two reflections. First,

What need of grace have we to enable us to act up to this, or any other character that we sustain! The duties of friendship, you see, are not few or easy; we should therefore implore the assistance of divine grace, that we may rightly perform them. Nor should we, as has been wisely said, make choice of many intimate and bosom friends; for a multiplication of friends will involve a multiplication of duties, and, consequently, of difficulties.

Second,

Let those who are so happy as to have Christ for their friend be particularly observant of this rule with respect to him. O let us cultivate a more intimate acquaintance with him, set a proper value upon his friendship, give him the uppermost place in our hearts, make him the frequent subject of our conversation, avoid every thing that is offensive to him, frequent those places where we may meet with him, and long to be for ever with him!

We should be thankful for our friends, if we have them. The duties of friendship are clearly not few or easy and we need divine grace to rightly perform them. Let us be good friends then and especially to the Lord Jesus Christ that Friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Beddome on Friendship Part 1

Enumerating God's kindnesses in one of his hymns, the long serving minister at Bourton on the Water, Gloucestershire, Benjamin Beddome (1717-1795) includes not only "constant supplies of outward good, your nightly sleep and daily food", but also

your health and strength and faithful friends,

And happiness that never ends.

In another hymn he acknowledges that his dearest friends he owes to God's goodness.

One hymn (737) is all about friendship in the context of worship

How sweet the interview with friends

Whose hopes and aims are one

All earthly pleasures it transcends

And swift the moments run

Of sympathy and love possessed

Our sorrows we impart

And when with pure enjoyments blessed

They go from heart to heart.

Pursuing still our way to bliss

A weak and feeble band

We trust in Christ our righteousness

Who will our strength command 

Though for a season we must part

As urgent duties call

Still we remain but one in heart

And Jesus is our all

Oh may his glorious cause encrease

And we his wonders tell

Now bid us Lord depart in peace

And now dear friends farewell.

Growing up, Beddome would have been keenly aware of the intense friendship between his father John Beddome (1675-1757) and his life-long bachelor friend Bernard Foskett (1685-1758) who Beddome junior followed both into medicine and the ministry. Beddome senior and Foskett first met in London. They then ministered together in the Midlands before coming together again in Bristol, where, in due time, the two died within a year of each other and were buried alongside each other. Foskett was considered to be a part of the Beddome family and was often with them when they gathered. Benjamin named one of his sons Foskett. Sadly, this son drowned, dying prematurely as a young man. Beddome was asked to speak at Foskett's funeral but felt unable to do it. He was one of the coffin bearers.

The friendship between the older men no doubt informed Beddome when on at least one occasion he preached on the subject of friendship.

Before coming to that sermon we quote a paragraph from another sermon, this one on Zechariah 8:23 in Volume 5 of the short discourses. He says that one of the things we can learn from his text is

That seclusion from all society is neither the Christian's duty, nor his privilege. It was God himself who said, It is not good for man to be alone. Satan imagined that lie had the greatest advantage against our Lord, and that he was most likely to prevail over him, when he found him in a solitary wilderness, unsupported by the presence of a friend. To guard against a similar danger, Jesus afterwards sent out his disciples two and two; not only that out of the mouth of two witnesses every word might be established, but that they might be helpers of each other's joy in the Lord. 

The text of the sermon on friendship is Sermon 59 in a collection of 67 posthumously published sermons. It is on Proverbs 18:24 A man that hath friends must show himself friendly and has been given the title The reciprocal duties of friends.

Beddome begins it by saying

The advantages of real friendship are great and the duties resulting from it many. We have a comprehensive view of them in my text. We should exercise a common civility towards all men neither despising the poor on account of the meanness of their condition nor hating our greatest enemies for the injuries we have received from them but a man that hath friends must show himself friendly. Here we have a privilege spoken of and a duty prescribed.

The privilege of friendship

The sermon is in two parts. Beddome says firstly that a privilege is spoken of. What a privilege to have a friend, says Beddome,

To say that a man is friendless is to denote a complete state of misery. Lover and friend says David hast thou put far from me. This aggravated his troubles and added weight to all his other distresses. On the contrary next to the comforts of religion are those of friendship and society especially when those whom we look upon as our friends are …

And then he lists four qualities in a good friendship. It is

Real and disinterested

Sincerely what they profess to be not acting from selfish motives but making our interest their own. Most men seek their own and do not, as the apostle expresses it in another case, naturally care for the state of others. Here and there perhaps we may find one who will sympathize with us in all our griefs and joys and by all proper means promote our happiness and welfare. Happy is the man that hath such a friend.

Wise and prudent

Able and willing to give us advice when we are at a loss how to act and that without upbraiding our ignorance or despising us for our weakness. It is a happiness to have such friends who are discreet and experienced and at the same time open and communicative. If our friend be weak and silly his folly may plunge us into great inconveniences and let him be ever so sagacious, if he be sullen and reserved his wisdom will do us little service. David was happy in the friendship of Hushai who by his good sense and deep penetration defeated the pernicious councils of Ahithophel and extricated his royal master from a state of the greatest perplexity.

Marked by pious virtue

Pious virtue is the only solid foundation for friendship for he that is not a good man cannot be a good friend. Prayer for friends is one of the most important duties of friendship but he is not likely to pray for us who does not pray for himself. The concerns of the soul are of the most interesting nature but it is not probable that he will be mindful of the spiritual concerns of others who is regardless of his own. Those are the most valuable and desirable friends who are at the same time like Abraham the friends of God. Not the gay sensual and profane but the serious and thoughtful, circumspect and holy whose conversation will be instructive and their example improving whose hearts glow with love to God and whose conduct and behaviour exhibit all the beauties of the religious life. By their means we may be fortified against temptations kept from many an hurtful snare be convinced of sin when we have committed it and rendered more steadfast in the ways of God. As iron sharpeneth iron says Solomon so doth the countenance of a man his friend. We insensibly contract a likeness to those whom we choose for our companions: if they are modest and humble, we grow like them; if they are bold and impudent, we become so too. Give me leave to add, under this head, if a courteous and obliging temper, a natural sweetness of disposition, be added to strict virtue and real piety, it makes the ties of friendship more sweet and more durable. This seems to have been the case with respect to David and Jonathan. That man can never be a friend to others who is a foe to himself.

Faithful and persevering

The fourth and final thing he includes under his first heading, and here he must inevitably have thought of Foskett and his father, is this

Lastly. Faithful and persevering, who will smile when the world frowns, stand by us when others forsake us and adhere to us in the face of the greatest opposition. Thus all Saul's threats and reproaches could not make Jonathan renounce the covenant of friendship he had made with David, whom he loved as his own soul. Such friendships are very rare. My brethren, says Job, have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the stream of brooks they pass away. A failing brook is a fit emblem of a false heart. A friend that loveth at all times, who does not change when our circumstances change, but is the same whether we are in a state of affluence or want, in honour or disgrace, is one of the choicest gifts of God.

He quotes Edward Young, one of his favourite authors, from Night Thoughts

Friendship's the wine of life:

A friend is worth all the hazards we can run.

Poor is the friendless master of a world:

A world in purchase for a friend is gain.

Beddome concludes this part of his sermon

This should lead us to think of the Lord Jesus Christ, in whom all these characters meet. He is the greatest, best, and most affectionate, the most disinterested and faithful of all friends, a friend to them that have no other friend; a friend to those who have been his most bitter enemies, and who lives when other friends die; to whom we may justly apply the words following my text: There is a Friend that sticketh closer than a brother. O may each of us be able to say, This is my beloved, and this is my friend!

The Intro to Richard Hall's Book

 INTRODUCTION

The following pages consist of Extracts from sundry old and valuable Authors, taken by the person that now occasions their publication, in his private reading, who penned them down at sundry times for his own use, and with no other design: but having been recommended by a Christian friend to print them, and as he trusts he received benefit from them himself, he is desirous others might, under a divine blessing, do so likewise, and in hopes thereof he has complied.

It may be said, what need of such extracts when the books themselves are many of them to be had? In answer: the several authors quoted may never come into the hands of many, or others may not have the opportunity to read them so as to pick out the pithy and striking sentences therein contained: therefore, to view in so small a compass the excellent sentiments, sound divinty, and sweet experience of so many great writers now in glory, the collector hopes, cannot be unacceptable to pious souls; and especially as we live in a day of so great declension, when the love of many, and even professors of religion, wax cold, 'their hearts still and backward to divine and spiritual things, a too great cleaving to the things of time, and they find a need of the useof all means to revive the soul and raise it upwards.

The Reader is desired to excuse the order that might have been observed in selecting particular subjects, and ranging them by themselves, and every other imperfection, as the person who made this collection,does not propose himself as an author, nor did he design putting his name hereto but as an anonymous book does not make so good appearance, even when the author proposes not the least advantage of profit to himself, which is the case of this publication, and therefore hopes subscribing his name will not be thought ostentatious.

If this book is blessed to any poor soul for refreshment, establishment, and consolation, and is a means to draw the heart more out to GOD and his Dear Son, the collector of these extracts will have his sincere wish, who begs an interest in the prayers of the pious Reader, and is their humble servant,

RICHARD HALL

Richard Hall

We have several posts on Richard Hall but we have not included this paper cut out of him which his descendant Mike Rendell still has. I have often wondered about the west country connection and it does include the fact that his roots are in Wiltshire.

Extant Letters From Beddome

1. Anne Steele Sunday December 23 1742 Marriage proposal (Angus Library)
2. Church at Goodman's Fields November 1750 Concerning call to pastorate (Brooks, Pictures of the Past)
3. Church at Goodman's Fields Sunday February 24 1750/51 Concerning call to pastorate (Brooks, Pictures of the Past)
4. Richard Hall Saturday February 18 1758 or 1764 Includes a hymn (Angus Library)
5. Unknown relative Monday July 23 1759 (part) (Published in Evangelical Magazine)
6. Unknown relative Thursday October 18 1759 (Published in Evangelical Magazine)
7. Unknown relative Monday May 19 1760 Referring to the Diary of Timothy Thomas (Published n Evangelical Magazine)
8. Unknown relative Thursday July 17 1760 (Published in Evangelical Magazine)
9. Unknown relative Saturday September 27 1760 (Published in Evangelical Magazine)
10. Unknown relative Saturday December 13 1760 (Published in Evangelical Magazine)
11. Sister Reynolds March 8 1761 Regarding church discipline (Brooks, Pictures of the Past)
12. The Association May 1765 (Published in The Primitive Church Magazine 1860)
13. Henry Keene Saturday November 14, 1772 (NLW)
14. The Association (with deacons) (part) May 1786 (Brooks, Pictures of the Past)
15. The Association (with deacons) Sunday May 31 1789 (NLW)
16. Andrew Fuller October 1793 Scepticism about the BMS (Angus Library, also in Pickles' Life and Times)

(6 in the Evangelical Magazine, 4 in Brooks, 3 in the Angus Library, 2 in the NLW, 1 in The Primitive Church Magazinel; 1742-1751 - 3, 1758-1761 - 8; 1765-1793 - 5)

A manuscript book by Richard Hall

It seems that Richard Hall wanted to add to his first book with more of the same. The Angus Library has a ms book of quotations, some from the 1771 book, some not. A note dated 1794 reveals that Hall had a sequel in mind that does not appear to have been published.

Letter from Beddome to Hall

In the archive at the Angus Library there is a letter from Beddome, dated February 18th, to ‘Richard Hall, hosier, of Red Lion Street, Southwark’. Written on a Saturday afternoon, this friendly letter asks Hall to purchase stock to the value of £100 and also mentions Mr Snooke. It has the greeting ‘to my good friend Mrs Hall’ and contains a hymn for her ‘By night, by day, at home, abroad’. Presumably Beddome had just completed it for singing the next day. The hymn is Hymn 498 in the posthumous hymnal.

It begins "I think my Account makes you Debtor ...". After the business part he writes

It being Saturday afternoon and my Head indisposd for thinking You will excuse my enlarging but I will send a few lines to my good friend Mrs Hall which I made at least the greatest part one Night after I was a bed not upon any particular Text but as expressive I hope of the Language of my own soul."

Six stanzas follow.

He ends "Thus I have almost filld up my Paper but cannot conclude without wishing You and your dear Spouse Soul prosperity & all Manner of spiritual Blessings Light in Darkness Peace in Trouble and mush of Heav'n upon Earth."

He then adds his wife's greetings to his own and concludes.

A Book by Richard Hall

We have mentioned several times the name of Richard Hall (1728-1801) who sat in Beddome's congregation from the end of 1781. In 1771 he published a book which can be found here. The book is called

A LIBRARY OF DIVINITY OR, SELECT EXTRACTS

FROM SUNDRY OLD AND EMlNENT DlVINES, 

Collected in a course of reading for private Use. To which are added, A few select pieces of poetry.

The extracts are from

Flavel, Richard Capel, John Mason, Boston, John Rowe, Bates, Thomas Symson, Thomas Cole, Charmock, Elisha Coles, Calvin, Trail, Powel, Isaac Ambrose, Fox, Thomas Goodwin, Hervey, Owen, Sibbes, Anthony Palmer, Elton, Hercules Collins, Gurnall, St Bernard, Titchbourne, St Augustine, Caryl, Joseph Hall, Rutherford, Stephen Marshall, Flemming, Daniel Neal, Watson, Bunyan, St Chrysostom and verse by a private gentleman, Mr Dorrington and Mr Hurne.
Other authors are not listed.

The publisher is J Gurney.

See also this edition. printed by George Keith

December 1784

Entries in Richard Hall's diary for December 1784 revealed here by Mike Rendell give a little insight into that month in Bourton on the Water. (In January 1784 Beddome's wife Elizabeth had died). 

Mike Rendell begins by saying that

On Tuesday 7th December 1784 Richard Hall noted that there was “snow last night, very Cold.” The following day saw the entry “Snow at night, hard Frost, very sharp. Snow in ye afternoon, wind high at night.” And so it continued for the rest of the week (“Snow lay, hard Frost …. very hard Frost, snow lay some more last night … a considerable deal of Snow.”).

He then gives us a copy of the diary for Monday December 13 until the end of the year

Monday December 13th

Snow still lay – Frozen hard -pretty fine day.

Tu. 14^th

Having obtained help of God … I am spared to see the return of my Wedding Day. Din’d at Mrs Snookes with Mr Beddome. Mr and Mrs Palmer came in the afternoon. Frost continued. A little more Snow. Cold.

W 15^th

Heard Mr Beddome at the lecture Isah 41.10 former part - mostly dull, a little snow, rather Thawed – Cold
Thu 16^th

Mr Mrs Peake, Mrs Snooks Maria din'd. On a Cod, etc, snow continued dull and cold.

Fri 17^th

Dined at Mrs Snookes with Mr & Mrs Peake on a Cod, etc. N+Much snow fall in the past nights. Hard frost. Pretty fine day. Cold.

S 18th

Dull, some snow in the afternoon. Not as cold as it was.

Sabt -19^th

Heard Mr Wilkins Acts 8.39 last Cl. Mr Beddome Isah 41.10 former part. Snow continued, mostly dull, cold.

Mo: 20^th

Hard Frost, fine day, very cold.

Tu: 21st

Mr Griffiths of Bath & Mr Snooke Breakfast with us. We din'd, etc. with him at Mrs Snookes. Frost continued, Snow still lay – snowed a little today. Very cold.

W 22^nd

Hard frost, fine day, very Cold.

Th 23^rd

Hard frost, very Cold pretty fine.

Saty 25th

Xmas Day. Heard Mr Wilkins Luke 2. 14^th. We din'd etc at Mrs Snookes. frost continued, dull a little, snow, Cold.

Sabt 26^th

Heard Mr Beddome Ezekl 12.2 & Mr Wilkins 2 Chron 34. v 3 former part. Dull, seems like(ly) a thaw, not quite so cold. frose at night or in ye night – a great fog alright.

Mo 27^th

Frost continued – dull, Cold, a very little snow.

Tu: 28^th

Din'd at Mrs Snookes with Wife. Mr Mrs Miss Beale. Mr Shaw. Miss Beddome. Mr B drank tea. Dull day, frost, very sharp wind – exceeding Cold.

Wednesday Decr 20th

Heard Mr Wilkins at the Lecture 2 Peter 3.18 dull day hard frost, very cold.

Thu. 30th

A great fall of Snow, the past night which lay thick. Dull day, foggy, not quite so sharp.

Fri. 31st

Through spareing mercy am preserved to the close of another year, through which much goodness and mercy have followed me but what little fruit – has been brought forth in the midst of many Favours and privileges how well is it God's thoughts are not as mine nor his ways as my ways. Mr Mrs Palmer, Mr Wilkins, Miss Beddome, Mrs Snooke, Maria – Din'd. Mr Beddome drank tea. dull day, cold, Snow still lay thick.

At the beginning of this year 1784 we had much Cold Weather, and snow, a late Spring, warm Summer with much Thunder and Lightning, a very fine Haymaking and Harvest … Snow upon the ground, which has been from the 8 of December and still continues.

The Lord has crowned the Year with his Goodness. 

Rendell on Hall

I may have mentioned before, virtually meeting through this blog a descendant of Richard Hall. Mike Rendell has been working on Hall's journals for some time and the book he has produced is due out in January. Hall was interested in nearly everything so the book gives a fascinating glimpse into 18th century life and that of an 18th century Baptist fan of Beddome to boot.

The Snooke Diaries Preface

The husband of the descendant of William Snooke who transcribed the diaries has put in a two page intro as well as adding family trees at the end. The intro gives these details

29/09/1730 Snooke's birth date
16/01/1799 Date of Snooke's death
Pre-1752 Probably lived at Compton Abdale Rectory (sold to Lord Chedworth in 1768) some 5 or 6 miles west of Bourton.

16/01/1752 Came to live at the Manor House Bourton on the Water at the heart of the village (I understand that the original house was probably built c 1200 and was a residence of the Abbots of Evesham. It was rebuilt in the C16, then again in 1890 by Sir Guy Dawber and most recently in 1919.

He owned several farms in the Bourton area.

15/11/1743 Birth of sister Betsy

24/03/1745 Birth of sister Polly

11/06/1751 First marriage - to Frances Seward (1732-1766)

21/02/1753 Richard Hall of London marries Frances's sister Eleanor Seward (1733-1780) leading to relationship with him

04/06/1767 Snooke remarries - to Anne Snook (b 1742).

They have 5 or 6 daughters. Nancy dies young (07/12/1768-04/04/1773) dying by means of scalding bread and milk. Eliza goes on to marry Dr Nathaniel Stenson (of duct fame).

Descendants remain in the Manor House until 1928.

1768/69 Major changes to Manor House

Portraits exist apparently.

Richard Hall's three children also get mentions - Polly (1754) Patty (1756) and Franky (1757).

1775 - Bengeworth enclosures

Tantalisingly, he mentions that two other diaries are known to exist and are in Canada somewhere. (Apparently these diaries were subsequently lost in flood damage).

Seward House

Slightly tangential, this is from Berrow's Worcester Journal of Thursday March 10, 1763, and announces the disposal of Seward house some ten years after the death of Benjamin and Elizabeth. Their sons-in-law William Snooke and Richard Hall are mentioned at the end.

To be LETT, and Entered upon Immediately,

THE Dwelling-House of the late Benjamin Sheward, Esq; at Bengworth, in Worcestershire (a most agreeable Situation, and healthful Air) very near the Town of Evesham; consisting of a large handsome Stone Kitchen and Laundry, two Halls, two Parlours, five Bed Chambers, two Dressing-Rooms, a Drawing Room, and five Garrets, with two large Cellars, and other convenient Offices : The Whole being in very good Repair, and the Rooms neatly wainscoted : With a large Garden, and an Orchard well planted with the best of Fruit Trees - The River Avon runs at the Bottom of the Garden, and there is a large Stable, &c fit for any Gentleman.
For further Particulars enquire of William Snooke, Esq; at Bourton on the Water, Gloucestershire; of Edward Sheward, Gent, at Evesham aforesaid; of Mr. Richard Hall, Hosier, in Red Lion Street, in the Borough, London; or of Mr. Joseph Sheward, in Bewdley.
N.B. The Worcester Stage goes almost by the House.

Seward Will

In his History of the English Baptists Joseph Ivimey writes (1830) of the Baptist cause in Bengeworth where the pastor from 1728 was Jacob Mower. He says that about the year 1739 Benjamin Seward, Esq attended the ministry of Mr Mower, and on July 9, 1742, was baptised and became a church member. He and his wife, says Ivimey "were both of them singular ornaments to their profession. Mr Seward was a man of good natural abilities - he studied to do good, abounding in works of charity, and was eminent for his devotion. Some hymns composed by him are found in the Bristol Collection, having the initials B. S." He died in 1753, and on April 8 John Gill preached his funeral sermon (published in his Collection of Sermons and Tracts, vol. i. p 498). "The worthy widow of Mr Seward being desirous to leave a perpetual proof of the charitable disposition of her husband, in her last will, dated June 2, 1753, settled the interest of £4,550 for charitable purposes, naming seven Baptist ministers as trustees (of whom Mr. Mower was first mentioned), providing for the perpetual renewal of trustees as often as any of them shall die."
In a footnote Ivimey gives the details of Mrs Seward's will. Much of it is tangential to our interest but I have underlined the bits that are of particular interest to us.
The will of Mrs Elizabeth Seward, of Bengeworth, Worcestershire, widow, was executed June 2, 1753, in the presence of Isaac Woodman [Sutton in Elms near Leicester from c 1749, previously Warwick, 1740-1746], W Gibbons and W Gibbons Jn and proved at Doctors' Commons February 6, 1754.

She appointed the seven following Particular Baptist ministers her trustees: Jacob More (Mower), Bengeworth; Nathaniel Overbury Sn, Tetbury [d 1795]; John Overbury, Alcester [d 1764]; Philip Jones, Upton-upon-Severn [d 1771]; Benjamin Beddome, Bourton on the Water; Dr John Gill, Horsleydown, Southwark [1607-1771]; and William Anderson, Grafton street, St. Anne's, Westminster an associate of Gill's, d 1767. To them were left in trust, £2000 South Sea Stock, £2000 New South Sea Annuities and £550 Bank of England Stock. The way the yearly interest, dividends or produce of the said £4,550 were to be applied is set out by Ivimey with some footnotes.

1. The South Sea Stock towards the support and maintenance of the minister or teacher of the Particular Baptist congregations at the following places
Bengeworth, Worcestershire £350
Chadford Bottom, Gloucestershire 300
Henley-upon-Thames, Berkshire 300
Worcester 100
Bromsgrove, Worcestershire 100
King's Stanley, Gloucestershire 300
Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire 100
Leominster, Herefordshire 200
Sheepshead, Leicestershire 200
Coat, Oxfordshire 50

Total £2000

A dreadful fire broke out at Bengeworth a few years afterwards, which consumed a number of houses, and the meeting-house with them. In 1760 it was rebuilt on the same foundation.

2. The New South Sea Annuities.
Towards the maintenance of the Particular Baptist minister at
Coat, Oxfordshire £50
To the relief of the poor of the Particular Baptist congregation in Grafton-street, St. Anne's, Westminster, to be distributed by the minister 100
To the relief of the poor of the Particular Baptist congregation at Horsleydown, to be distributed by the minister 100
Note In case either of the two last mentioned congregations shall not have a settled minister, the said interest is to be paid to the deacons till there shall be one.
To the Particular Baptist minister at Bengeworth, to pay for teaching poor children to read, whose parents are unable to pay for the same; at the school at Badsey, near Evesham, six shillings a month; and at two schools at Evesham, and one at Bengeworth, four shillings a month each 400
To the Particular Baptist minister at Bengeworth, to pay for the support of monthly lectures in Divinity to be preached there; viz Eight shillings to the minister who shall preach such lecture for every such lecture; and twelve shillings for the expense of entertaining the ministers who shall attend every such lecture at such friends' houses as they shall agree to meet in 400
To the elder of Evesham during his life. After his death, the interest or yearly produce to be paid to the ministers, pastors, or deacons, of the Particular Baptist congregations at Bourton-on-the-Water, Alcester, Leicester, and Kettering, for the relief of the poor of the said congregations 400
To William Tinkley, of Bengeworth, during life 150
Mary Hughes, of Evesham, ditto 100
Eliz Shaning, of ditto, ditto 100
Nancy, a poor woman of ditto ditto 60
Note After the death of these four persons, this interest to be equally divided between the trustees, in or near London, for their trouble.
To widow Hewitt, during life. After her death, to the minister of the Particular Baptist congregation at Beccles, Suffolk 100
To Mary Squires during life 60

Total £2000

Mr. Jacob Mower died July, 1764. During bis connexion with the church twenty-four persons were added to it . In the month of November following, the majority of the church and congregation invited Mr. Lawrence Butterworth [1741-1828] to settle with them. The meeting-house in Bengeworth becoming too small for the congregation, and the greater part residing in Evesham, they judged it prudent to erect a new meeting-house in that place: this was accomplished in 1788. Since Mr. Butterworth became the pastor there have been added, by baptism (1821), one hundred and eleven members; the present number of members is fifty-one. Mr Davis, a student from Stepney, was subsequently associated with him in the pastoral office. Mr. Butterworth died lately, at the advanced age of nearly ninety.

3. The Bank Of England Stock.
To Mary Squires during life £50
To Eliz Peake during life 150
Note After the death of Mary Squires and Eliz Peake, for the relief of such poor dissenting ministers in the country as my trustees shall think fit.
To Eliz Tandey during life. After her death to the minister of the Particular Baptist congregation at Crosby, Leicestershire, towards his support 50
Interest to lie unreceived till one of the trustees shall die. Then the new trustee to be paid £20 for his trouble. And so to every new trustee £20. In case of refusal or death, the surviving trustees to appoint new ones by a writing signed by them. Instead of trustees residing in the country, trustees residing in the country shall be appointed; and instead of trustees residing in London or Westminster, or their suburbs or liberties, trustees residing in London or Westminster, or their suburbs or liberties, shall be appointed. All new trustees to be ministers or teachers of Particular Baptist congregations. 300

Total £550

William Snooke and Richard Hall, her sons-in-law, were executors and residuary legatees.

Richard Hall 05

MR notes how Beddome had married 17 year old Elizabeth when 32. He says there must have been at least 10 children, though many died young. He says the first-born John aged 15 adn notes how William Snooke comments in 1774 on the funeral of the one-year old Joseph Beddome, “the third of that name to die”. Benjamin died at 25, Foskett at 26, of course. Both trained as medical doctors. Elizabeth had died aged 51 in 1784, the same year as Foskett who drowned boarding a ship at Deptford. At least four children outlived the father and their descendants were still living at Bourton in the 1920s. A note of Hall's says “1798 Sept 28th - agreed to let our tenement to Mrs. S Beddome for 6 months for 3 Guineas – or at 5 Guineas a year if they continue a twelve month. If any taxes are charged to it they are to pay. Delivered the keys to Mr S Palmer Oct 3rd 1798.”
MR pictures Hall in old age as slightly more relaxed, spending time with younger children and grandchildren, walking his dog, recounting tales to the kids about going to see the King, or what it was like at the Tower of London, or how there used to be highwaymen and robbers. Slowly a rather more avuncular figure emerges – “even if he appeared a pious old prig to the rest world!” Visits to London appear to have been twice-yearly. On one of these, on June 17, 1801 the 72 year old set out for London with his wife and Mrs Snooke. They got as far as Witney when he was taken ill and the party was forced to return. His son Benjamin takes up the story “My father continuing to get worse, Dr Cheston, a Physician from Gloucester, was sent for who came on the 23rd. Dr Cox also came on 26th and Mr. and Mrs. Griffith from Bath. My brothers in law” (ie step-brothers) “William and Francis with my cousin Eliza came on the 30th. July 2nd, a little before 6 o’clock in the morning my dear father departed. Mr. Davidson an esteemed friend of my father and one of his executors came on Monday 6th. On Sunday 7th my father’s remains were interred in the Meeting Yard at Bourton – the Revd. Thos Smith of Shipston-on-Stour officiated. On the following day Mr. Davidson and Mr. Francis Hall left for London and Mr. Griffith & Mr. William Hall for Bath."

He records the brief Memoir of his father inserted in Dr. Rippon’s register:

“July 2nd 1801 Died Mr Rd Hall of Bourton on the Water Gloucestershire in the seventy third year of his age. He was for many years a member of the church of Christ in Carter Lane Southwark in the time of Dr Gill. His illness was sudden and he was in great pain for several days, but it pleased the Lord to afford him consolation. His mind was much occupied by the Holy Scriptures and with great patience and resignation he bore the afflicting hand of God, acknowledging that the ways of the Lord were just and equal. He expressed warm emotions of tenderness to his family, especially the younger branches of it whose concerns appeared very much to interest his heart. He spoke of the importance of early instruction in Divine things and the benefit of having the mind stored with the treasure of God’s word, the advantage of which he had experienced, and hoped his youngest son would be a follower of those who walk in the ways of the Lord.”
As already mentioned, Rippon ended with the words “Mr Hall was certainly not distinguished among his religious connections for the felicity of his disposition but we are given to understand that he has left behind him the testimony of an affectionate husband a kind father and a sincere friend”. The family were outraged by this, and according to son Benjamin wrote to tell Rippon what they thought of him but no trace of the letter remains.

Richard Hall 04

1780 started positively with Hall's son William being taken into the family business. Several versions of the next important and sad diary entry exist. In one Hall writes “11th January, 1780. O the affliction of this day. My very dear and affectionate wife departed after so short an illness as about six or seven hours, to my great grief and sorrow, having lived together in the conjugal state 27 years, all but 41 days. Blessed be the Lord”. Other members of the family confirm that “She was remarkable for her piety, an affectionate wife and tender parent”. She died from a stroke.
Buried in Bunhill Fields, January 18, Eleanor was interred alongside her father. To the original tombstone was added, “Underneath this tomb are also deposited the remains of Mrs. Eleanor Hall late the beloved wife of Mr. Richard Hall of London Bridge and daughter of the above named Benjamin Seward Esq.”
Hall appears to have started attending St Magnus at this time, becoming Church Warden. Bourton held attractions for him – though he never mentions what they were. He set off for the Manor House, June 16, staying with the recently widowed Mrs Snooke. His frequent mentions of Mrs Snooke might suggest he hoped to promote his cause with the wealthy widow. Maybe he tried suggests MR. He stayed a month and returned to London, July 20. Then, with no explanation, the entry for Thursday December 14 reads “This day entered into the Solemn and very important engagement of a second marriage with Betty Snooke”. Betty Snooke was not William Snooke's widow but his younger sister. Ominously, he continues “may it never lessen the Happiness of my Dear Children”.
Possibly Betty Snooke wavered, but MR says subsequent events suggest that a problem lay with Hall's children - perhaps the three, anxious to guard their Seward inheritance, thought it more appropriate that Richard should marry “an old widow” for companionship – one way past child-bearing! The diaries give the firm impression Hall's decision to re-marry was somewhat calculated but after about 10 years things slowly improved for Betty.
Reviewing events years later, Hall writes “The Lord in whose hands are all my times and ways, has suffered a further change to take place – my dear children being dissatisfied that we should continue to live together I removed to a small house at Bourton on the Water, where we slept the first night November 19th 1781.”
Not for them the grandeur of the Manor House – they moved into “a house opposite the New Inn” – rented from Mrs Snooke. Throughout October and into November they packed “to go into the Country” leaving November 7 and settling in on the 19th. “O that the Lord will be pleased to make this a peaceable and quiet dwelling”.
“December 28th – Mr, Mrs & Miss Palmer, Mrs Beddome, her Sons, Mr Boswell and Richard Boswell, Mrs Snooke and Sophy din’d. Very stormy with wind. Rain – our Parlour smoaked so I was oblig’d to put out the fire and dine without one. Had a fire made upstairs.” Fitting into a tiny house would have been a major upheaval – even more so when Anna, the first of two children, arrived March 15, 1782. Benjamin was born in 1787. He subsequently mused “The name Benjamin was probably given me from respect to the late Benjmn. Seward Esqre. and out of compliment to the Rev. Benjmn. Beddome, to whom my Father was much attached”.
Hall's first marriage had produced William Seward 14/9/1754 (married 1785, producing 8 children, 1786-1803); Martha 6/3/1756 (also married later in 1785, to Henry Griffith. They had 6 children, 1786-1794); Francis 26/12/1757 (married 1788. They had 4 children, William Snooke Hall being the only one to reach maturity, 1789-1793) and Frances 12/11/1758. The second marriage to Elizabeth Snooke (1743–1818) produced Anna Snooke Hall 15/3/1782 and Benjamin Snooke Hall 28/11/1787.

 MR has noted how a mark of Hall's esteem for his cousin, the poetess Anna Seward, was that he sent her the better oysters – those from Pyefleet at 4/3d a barrel. Friends of lesser importance (eg Beddome) had to make do with the cheaper ones from Colchester, costing 3/4d.
Beddome's death in 1795 obviously affected Hall. Writing 40 years later, his youngest son (Benjamin) mused “(I recall) the death of the Revd. Benjm. Beddome M.A. for 55 years the respected pastor of the Baptist Church at Bourton on the Water aged 78 years. This occurred September 3rd. I recollect his funeral which was on Sabbathday afternoon September 6th. My father and mother attended – the Revd. Benjmn Francis of Horseley preached the sermon to a crowded congregation from Phil. 1.21.”

Richard Hall 03

Sadly, there was division after Gill's death and his young successor John Rippon (1751-1836) was not liked by all. Hall's son later wrote “In consequence of a division in the Church on the death of their Minister my father's mind appears to have been very unhappy and for a time he was unsettled. Much animosity and contention existed in consequence of the majority of the Church choosing Mr. Rippon, (afterwards Doctor), who was ordained to the pastoral Office November 11th, 1773. My father was one of the minority who signed the protest against this step, and with that minority chose Mr. Button to be their pastor, for whom it appears that they built a new Place, but owing to some shyness between the members he discontinued his attendance and in 1776 was set aside by the Church”. (Exactly what this last sentence means is unclear. Button served faithfully at the new place in Dean Street for many, many years).
Hall, says MR, always viewed this as most ungenerous conduct on the church's part. He never forgave Rippon (who remained as pastor for 63 years all told). Cathcart's Baptist Encyclopedia (1881) says "When about twenty-one he became the successor of the great Dr. Gill, in London. Mr. Rippon had neither the talents nor the learning of his predecessor, but he was bold, witty, and ready in speech; his "preaching was lively, affectionate, and impressive; his administration of church affairs was marked by great prudence, and he soon became very popular."

MR suggests a more personal slant. He says that Rippon took a fancy to Hall’s daughter Martha – then just 16. Hall, MR suggests, was having no Devonshire hot-head messing with her affections! Spurned by the family, Rippon turned his attentions elsewhere and soon found an alternative bride.
Later family diaries recount: “On 20th August, 1776 my father was much pleased by the baptism of his beloved wife at Leominster by Mr. [ie Joshua] Thomas and on the 6th November, 1777 that pleasure was enhanced by his daughter (Martha) giving in her experience to the same Church and being baptized by the same minister on the 20th of the same month.” Such pleasure was short-lived because two years later daughter Martha went back to Rippon’s church! Hall was horrified and his relationship with his daughter deteriorated. He seems to have regarded her as something of a “wild child”. Matters improved in time but at some stage after 1785 (when she married) contact dwindled to the extent that they barely spoke or corresponded. For the last 10 years of his life they never met or wrote to each other. Hall was to die without resolving their differences.

Hall remained unmoved and carried his grudge against Rippon to the grave. The dislike was reciprocated – at Richard’s funeral Dr Rippon wrote a short eulogy, not, as was normal, praising the deceased for his fine qualities, but stating: “Mr Hall was certainly not distinguished among his religious connections for the felicity of his disposition but we are given to understand that he has left behind him the testimony of an affectionate husband a kind father and a sincere friend.”
Hall made his distaste for Rippon clear to all and sundry. A letter from a friend who was the Baptist Minister in Bedford dated February 16, 1773 reads: “… you complain in your letter you are like a sheep without a shepherd. May the great Head of the Church afford you support, relief, direction and consolation. But I always think it must dismay a humble minister to think of succeeding the great Dr Gill of precious memory.”
Hall refers to his sadness at matters being “very quarrelsome”. He was still attending Rippon’s services – and indeed having him round for tea – but matters were coming to a head and on August 16 he records “was at Church meeting. Very disagreeable disputes and contentions”. Later in the year (October 11) he records “Was at Church Meeting – things very confused. A protest against the proceedings delivered in – signed by 19 persons. Very fine day. Like Summer. Cool”. There is a reference to Rippon's ordination (November 11 – “to my great concern”).
In summer, 1774 Hall appears to have made a visit to Bourton, which he did from time to time. In 1775 he was there again and we read interestingly "1775 - Sept 8th – after 10 o’clock at Night when at Bourton a Shock of Earthquake was felt. Mr Beddome felt the bed rise up three times. Felt at Oxford, Bath, Salisbury etc."
Then on January 16, 1799 Snooke died. Richard later wrote “After a short illness of about five days of a paralytic stroke departed my worthy friend and brother-in-law William Snooke Esq. aged 49. My dear wife and self went to Bourton on hearing of his illness but he died the day before we got here. We stayed the interment which was on the 17th.”
It must have been a huge blow to Richard says MR – William was all the things Richard was not – rumbustuous, charming, always laughing at his own mistakes. Richard, always pious and invoking the Lord, must have envied William his simple Faith, his generosity – and of course his enormous wealth!

Richard Hall 02

MR comments on Snooke's regular stock investments. Hall also started to dabble in stocks and shares while still young and throughout adult life kept jottings of stock movements and changes in Bank of England interest rates. The letter in the Angus Library from Beddome to Hall is on this matter. Snooke and Hall made some joint purchases – presumably, says MR, using the income from the Seward estate, since it belonged to both equally. Bengeworth was a problem. The Mansion House was run-down and neglected and it took time to find a willing tenant.
The births of Hall's children are mentioned in his Journals. By the time Francis, the third, arrived in 1757 it was clear the family had out-grown the “rooms above the shop” and in 1758 we read “we moved house – Slept at our country house at Stockwell 14th May”. Eleanor may not have known it but by then she was already a couple of months pregnant. The Journal goes on to record “November 12th 1758 my daughter Frances was born - she died 23rd December, 1758 . A most sorrowful Christmas for us all.” Later on he recalled “So, in total my dear Eleanor bore me four children, apart from ten miscarriages”.
“January 8th 1759 at the age of 60 died my father Francis Hall after a declining state of health.” After her husband’s death Hall’s step-mother removed to South Lambeth. Richard inherited the business and premises in Red Lion Street and set about expanding. From making and selling silk hosiery he progressed to selling all manner of fine silks, etc.
Reviewing his father’s life at the start of the following century Hall’s son Benjamin records that in 1763 Hall “was baptized by Dr Gill under whose ministry he had sat with much pleasure for several years. This circumstance took place at the Barbican chapel on 14th December and on the 18th he was received into full communion with Dr Gill’s Church at Carter Lane Southwark.” Hall himself notes that he gave his experience in to Dr Gill’s Church December 5, 1763. On March 17 1757 he had given a generous gift “towards Dr Gills new Meeting £20/0/0”. This was linked with the move to Carter Lane, a few hundred yards from Red Lion Street. Hall was regular at the meetings on Friday nights and on Sundays.

On his birthday (January 15) in 1767 Hall writes “The Lord has spared Me to ye return of another Birth Day – may I live more in his Fear, and to his Glory”. In that same year he moved his shop to the end of the newly refurbished London Bridge – only a few hundred yards from the old premises but in many ways a different world. He notes “November 1766 - entered into an agreement for finishing a new-built house on the corner of Lower Thames Street London Bridge”. On April 3 he “Remov’d shop Goods to my New House, the Corner of Thames Street” He opened on April 6 and that night Dr Gill dined with him (“Spent a little time in Prayer”).
At around the same time the family moved from Stockwell “to a fine house … leased in Peckham in Surry”. We read “1767 June 13th Slept at New House for first Night”.
It was the custom for the Snookes to come up to Town once a year to see the Halls, usually in April. They would stay for as long as seven or eight weeks. They would all go on various trips.
Another note says - 1770 July 6th Bound my Son William Seward Hall Apprentice to me. William would have been just under 16. In time he would inherit a very different business from the one founded by his grandfather.
In October 1771 John Gill died, aged 73. Of this bereavement Hall writes “Great is his loss in the Church and much felt by me. It is a great affliction when we know the worth of our privileges by the want of them, especially our spiritual mercies. It is possible to set too great an esteem on man - perhaps I did not prize my faithful Minister as I ought to have done. I wish I had improved more under his sound Ministry. I now will greatly miss him. Will the Lord be pleased, as a token for good to me, to bring me into a good fold and give me an appetite for His Word and Ordinances. I desire to be thankful I have my pastor’s works to consult, which I much value.” Hall had written out every sermon he had heard Gill preach over the past 25 years and had them bound. In January 1772 Hall decided to have printed – at his own expense (£1.14.6) – 200 copies of “What I remember of Dr Gill”, which he then proceeded to hand out to friends and acquaintances.

Richard Hall 01

As mentioned, I've corresponded with a descendant of Richard Hall (1728-1801) who eventually became a member of Beddome's Bourton congregation. Hall was born in Red Lion Street, Southwark, March 4, 1729 (1728 he'd say). His Mother Ann (nee Kearse) was 25, having married Francis Hall two years earlier. They had no other children.
Red Lion Street is just off Borough High Street, which in turn leads straight to London Bridge - then an unfashionable but cheap place to live. Francis was a hosier and Richard followed him into the trade. MR says Hall Junior seems to have had a good education and always had books around him. Pilgrims Progress, Milton's works and Foxe’s Book of Martyrs are "among his well-thumbed favourites". Religious treatises figure large from an early age.

Hall later wrote "From a child I have small conscience of secret prayer and remember to have been extended thereto by my dear mother when very young, perhaps not more than that six or seven years old". His copy of Willison's Catechism (first published 1735) has the earliest version of his signature on the front page.
The family Bible was a 1578 Geneva Bible that MR still has. Hall had many Bibles – his favourite being an annotated Pasham’s Bible, which he mentions specifically in his will (printed by J W Pasham in London from 1776).
Throughout the 1730s Hall lived with his father "over the shop". MR suggests that at some stage the Halls' paths crossed those of the Sewards, particularly Benjamin, no doubt through the church they attended, where John Gill (1697-1771) was pastor from 1719. Further, like Francis, Benjamin was in his thirties, from a well-off family and had come to London to be apprenticed as a hosier. Seward and Eleanor Knapp had two daughters, Frances Seward (1732-1766) born when Hall was about 4 and Eleanor Seward (1733-1780). Eleanor senior died in child birth so the Seward girls were brought up back in Badsey and Bengeworth. MR is quite confident of trips there by the young Hall, laying a foundation for the later marriage to Elinor.
When Hall was 13 his mother died (April 17, 1741) aged 38. In less than 12 months his father remarried - a widow, Turner by name. Hall had a good relationship with her until her death, 1765.

Hall noted from this same period that "On February 3rd 1743 I was bound an apprentice to my father as a Hosier at Red Lion St in the Borough of Southwark". He was just short of 15. In one place his son wrote In noticing the events of the 1745 my father mentions my grandfather being convinced of biblical baptism and of his being baptized by Dr Gill at the Barbican. He also records the death of his grand mother Mrs. Rebecca Hall who died 23rd November, 1745 aged 77. It was to be another 20 years before Hall "gave in his experience" and was himself baptised. Meanwhile he collected printed versions of many of Gill's sermons, then had them bound up into his own book entitled "Miscellaneous Sermons". MR says Gill was a most influential figure throughout Richard’s formative years – indeed for the rest of his life. His was the teaching by which all other ministers would be judged.
At some stage in the 1740s Hall and Eleanor became childhood sweethearts. Her elder sister Frances had met and fallen for a certain William Snooke (1730-1779). Snooke was wealthier than Richard but the four became very close friends in the years ahead. The two couples were to marry within a short space of time with their families' full blessings. Snooke was orphaned while still in his teens, leaving him to look after his much younger sisters Elizabeth (b 1743) and Mary (b 1745) known as Polly. For a while they continued to live at Compton Abdale Abbey. He later sold the abbey to Lord Chedworth (1768), but by then had long removed to the Manor House, Bourton-on-the-Water, taking up residence with his new bride, January 27 1752. He brought his younger sisters to live with him, so his bride in effect inherited a ready-made family with two girls, 7 and 9.

New meeting place at Bourton

MR says that Frances Snooke (nee Seward) wrote July 13 1765, prefacing her letter with a comment on her husband's "unavoidable engagements with the Meeting" obliging him to "imploy me as his secretary". She went on to explain that the pulpit was ready to be installed. She says it "may be call’d elegantly plain and neat as it has no carving about it". Evidently Hall had said that he would donate the pulpit cushion, which she asks him to send the next week as it was intended that "the Meeting" would be used "the Sabbath after next".
Hall presumably visited Bourton to inspect his new cushion (and to see his sister-in-law) a couple of months later, as the entry for September 4 1765 reads "Took Mrs Snooke behind me to Aylworth, when she fell off from the Horse on my opening a gate, but received no hurt".
MR observes that it is clear that Snooke was much involved with the building of the Baptist meeting place and also saw it as his duty to look after the pastor. His diaries apparently reveal that he paid Beddome 2 guineas every Quarter Day as well as contributing at Christmas to the cost of cleaning and heating the building in which he preached. Snooke was a very regular attender but, for some reason, was not baptised or a member. Beddome was also to become an important spiritual adviser to Hall.

After Snooke's death, his widow Anne maintained the tradition of paying Beddome what was by then 8 guineas a year. Anne lived at the Manor House for the rest of her life.

Yet more on the Sewards

MR records this note from Richard Hall's diary

1766 May 25th died Frances my beloved sister in law of the smallpox. She had but recently visited us in London and on her return to Bourton fell ill and died in her 34th Year. He says that the actual exchange of letters between William Snooke and Richard Hall during the period of the illness (which by a remarkable providence he has been able to see) is most poignant. He suggests that the news of Frances’ illness must have come as dreadful shock to Hall and his wife as they had been entertaining the Snookes in London just days before. The letters start with Snooke commenting that Frances felt poorly during the journey back to Witney – that she was unable to come down to dinner, but had some bread in her wine and water, that she felt "feverish, with a weariness in her Limbs". He suspected she had caught a cold. But the next day he reports that it is smallpox and seeks their prayers. Daily updates follow. On May 24 a specialist comes from Tewkesbury. Snooke mentions Hall's son Francis (then 11) who was staying with them in Bourton and attended school there. Sadly, May 25 brings a letter from a mutual acquaintance, Mr Palmer, that Frances Snooke is dead.

Richard and Eleanor set off from London immediately to be at the funeral. The family put up a plaque in memory of Frances in the chapel at Bourton, where it can still be seen:

"In a vault beneath is deposited all that was mortal of Frances Snooke, wife of William Snooke of Bourton-on-the-Water, Gentleman. The immortal part dismiss’d about the dawning of the Sabbath, from a body perishing by that dreadful disease the small Pox. She was the eldest surviving Daughter of that eminent Christian Benjamin Seward of Bengeworth in the County of Worcester, Gentleman. In whom the Divine Graces planted in the best of soils, a most amiable sweetness of Temper sprung up and flourished And far wide diffused their fragrance. The daughter was the exact Portraiture of her much valued father Every Alliance to whom Was an Honour – a Blessing."

Snooke remarried the following year.

The Seward will can be accessed here.