History of the Baptist Churches in the North of England, From 1648 to 1845
By David Douglas, 1846268
FROM 1822 TO 1845
Character of this new period. - Missionary designated. - Mr. Douglas. - Mr. Hartley. - Mr. Ingham. - Mrs. G. Angus. - South Shields. - Mrs. Douglas. - Darlington. - Mr. Leng. - Rowley - South Shields - Mr. Harbottle. - Newcastle, Mr. Banks. - Mrs. Mark. - Dr. Ryland. - Mr. Joseph Forster. - Middleton, Mr. Stagg. - Mr. Roe. - South Shields. - Masham, &c. - Wolsingham, Mr. Thomson. - Berwick. - Mr. W. H. Angas. - Mr. Tapscott. - Messrs. Kinghorn and Hall. - Forest. - Brough. - Mr. Sneath - Mr Roe. - Maryport. - Ravenglas. - Hindley, Broomley, and Shotley Field. - Newcastle, Providence Chapel, R. B. Sanderson, Esqr. - Bedlington. - Dr. Steadman. - Mr. Edward Wilkinson. - Dr. Marshman, &c. - Mr. Williamson. - Mr. Soppit, - and Mrs Marshall. Eusebius
The period at which we have now arrived is one of such recent date, that, even the earlier part of its events, will be well known to many of the memhers in our churches. As reminding them of circumstances endeared to memory, our relation, then, will, so far, possess an interest to them; but the gratification of mere curiosity, on contemplating the antique, can no longer be an ingredient in its perusal. Modesty, also, we are not to forget, suggests to the living, the idea of silence regarding their own individual actions, leaving these to be recorded by the biographer of another day; but the incidents in which numbers have shared may be noticed without
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impropriety; and memorials of the pious dead may be given, with high advantage to the moral and spiritual benefit of the living. With the exception, then, of these, our future narrative will be as brief as possible; omitting at the same time nothing that would render it incomplete, or cause a long range of desiderata at a future period.1822. - In the month of March, this year, a missionary was designated at Newcastle, as an agent of the Baptist Missionary Society, to go to Belize, in the Bay of Honduras. G. F. Angas, Esqr., having a vessel engaged in the mahogany trade, about to proceed to that bay, kindly proposed to the committee of the society, to send out a missionary free of expense. To this they assented, and the designation took place accordingly, in New Court Chapel; Dr. Steadman, of Bradford, presiding on the occasion.
On the 17th July, this year, Mr. Douglas having been again invited to supply the place of Mr. Whitfield, was ordained at Hamsterley. Mr. Pengilly stated the nature of a Christian church; Mr. Anderson, of Edinburgh, Mr. D.'s pastor, gave the charge; and Dr. Steadman, Mr. D.'s tutor, offered the ordination prayer, and preached to the church and congregation.
Mr. Hartley, of Stockton, died, on the 5th September, the same same year, aged eighty-two. He was born in 1740, and was early brought under the influence of religion, by the pious instructions of his mother"; was baptized by Dr. Fawcett; and was ordained at Halifax in 1772. He removed to Bingley, in 1779; came to Newcastle as already stated, in 1790; and was recalled to Halifax, in 1791; from whence he removed to Lockwood, in 1795, and was there rendered very useful. Owing, however, to the scattering of his people, for want of employment, he felt obliged to leave. He came again to Newcastle, and finally settled at Stockton, in 1809.
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Here, by his affability and industry, he was enabled to procure the chapel in West Row; and the spiritual fabric also advanced under his pious and useful administrations, till he sunk into dotage, sometime before his death. The whole course of his lengthened ministry of fifty years, if not remarkable, was, at least, respectable, in the best sense of the term ; though much chequered by numerous trials, as he had been providentially called, amidst his different removals, to follow most of his many children to the grave. Like Daniel, he was a man greatly beloved by all that knew him, for the affection of his heart, the amenity of his manners, and the purity of his life. He was so highly esteemed by the late B. Ingham, Esqr., that he left him an annuity of twenty pounds for his life. His end was peace. See his memoir, Baptist Magazine, December, 1822.On the morning of the 9th of September, the same year, died Mrs. Angus, widow of the late Mr. George Angus, of Styford. She rose in her usual health, and while engaged in domestic matters, fell back in her chair, and expired. Thus died a at the age of eighty-four, says her pastor, one of the most prudent, conscientious, and pious Christians, the writer ever had the happiness of knowing. She was the great-grand-daughter of Mr. H. Blacket, of Bitchburn.
1823. - On the first of January, 1823, Mr. George Brown, late of Sabden, having accepted an invitation from the cHurch at South Shields, entered on his labours, and was ordained in the course of the same year.
On the 25th February, Mrs. Douglas, of Hamsterley, died, aged thirty-one. She was brought to the knowledge of the truth, in 1810, by Mr. Anderson, of Edinburgh; was married July 26th, 1822, and died seven months afterward. She was a devoted Christian, and her end was peace.
On the 2nd Sabbath of April, this year, a small place
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of worship, at Darlington, was opened by Mr. Douglas, of Hamsterley. Fair prospects unfolded themselves at this time, to this infant cause, under the superintendence of Messrs. Lightfoot and Heron, who, it may he here mentioned, were afterwards ordained in 1831, and the cause has continued amidst a variety of vicissitudes, under the guidance of the former, to the present period - 1845. May Jehovah bless it, and make it a thousandfold so many more than it is!On the 25th December, 1823, Mr. Leng, from Bradford College, was ordained at Stockton, in the room of Mr. Hartley, by his tutor, Dr. Steadman; and his pastor, Mr. Arbon, of Hull, offered the ordination prayer and addressed the church.
1824. A new chapel, erected on the site of the old one, was opened 25th February, 1824, at Rowley, by Messrs. Pengilly and Sample. A new impetus was given to the ancient cause, in this bleak neighbourhood, in consequence.
In the month of August, this year, the church in South Shields divided; the minister, with part of the church and congregation seceding, worshipped in a dis- tinct part of the town. Those remaining in Barringtou chapel, gave an invitation to Mr. Crook, of Horton College, near Bradford, which he accepted, and commenced his labours, 10th October, 1824.*
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* In 1824, August 18th, aged seventy-five, died Mr. Thomas Harbottle, of Tottlebank. At that place, he had laboured for about forty-three years. Unlike to many, however, his last years were among his most useful and happy. During the last four of these, he baptized five young men, who were afterwards called to the ministry. The youngest was his own grandson, bearing his own name. This young man, after being honoured as the means of gathering a congregation at Havre de Grace, in France, and subsequently one in the populous neighbourhood of Heywood, in Lancashire, died at the latter place, in 1839. Out of Mr. Harbottle's six children, four of them had preceded him to the grave, but his
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1825.* - On the 22nd May, this year, a small church was formed, in the Weavers' Tower, Newcastle, Mr. Robert Banks being ordained pastor the same day, as also two deacons; Mr. Cormack, of Sunderland, assisting on the occasion. This church took its rise from two members of the church at New Court sece[e]ding from that community, regarding worship as conducted by the Baptists in Scotland, in relation to the weekly observance of the Lord's supper, the mutual exhortations and prayers of the brethren in the church, on the Lord's day, and a plurality of elders, chiefly supporting themselves, as more congenial to the order of the first churches, as exhibited in the New Testament. Their withdrawal from New Court, was accompanied with very satisfactory testimonials in their favour, early in 1825.+
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widow survived upwards of four years. Mr. Joseph Harbottle, one of his sons, has the high honour, not only of being pastor of the Baptist church, at Accrington, Lancashire, but also classical tutor of the rising college in that place.* It was in 1825, that Dr. Ryland, of Bristol, died, aged seventy-two. He succeeded Mr. Fuller, as secretary to the Baptist mission, and continued in that office assisted by Mr. Hinton, of Oxford, to 1818, when Mr. Dyer was elected. Mr. D. was succeeded by his colleague in office, Mr. Joseph Angus, in 1841. Mr. Angus was originally a member of the church at Tuthiil-stairs, Newcastle, and called by them to preach the gospel. His great-grandfather was Mr. William Angus, of Summerfield. In this instance and others, the North has repaid London and the Denomination generally, for the ministry of Mr. Tillam, &c., in the days of the Commonwealth.
+ Mrs. Mark, a very pious member of the church at Hamsterley, died, the same year, December 3rd. In early life she was very gay, but in her twentieth year, was led to think of the importance of preparedness for death, on account of an escape she had had from falling into a pit. She afterwards enjoyed peace in believing, from attending among the Methodists, In her diary, in each returning year, she refers to September 20th, as the day on which she had been
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1826. - On January 27th, this year, died Mr. Joseph Forster, of Scarborough, aged twenty-five. He was horn
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delivered from both temporal and eternal death. We give the following instance: - "1805, September 20th, thirteen years have rolled round since that remarkable preservation of going down into the pit. Since then, I have received from a gracious God, many favours. I have been awakened to a sense of extreme danger, led to cast my soul on the atonement, experienced heavenly consolation and reconciliation, through the infinite merit of the great Redeemer. 'Praise the Lord, O my soul, and all within me shout his praise.'" Under date of February 13th, 1809, we have the following family reference: - "It will be a fortnight tormorrow since we buried our little daughter. Thus, two are taken and two are left. O should the remaining two be spared to grow up, may they be early the subjects of redeeming grace, and may their parents be taught, by the loss of our little ones, so to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." In the same year, she joined the Baptist church at Hamsterley, and refers to the circumstance in the following entry: "September 3rd, being convinced, for some time, of believers' baptism as a divine institution, and positive command in the New Testament, I was enabled publicly to give myself to Christ, in baptism, 21st May. My husband has been, added to the church to day - What hath God wrought" 1810, June 3rd, "Had the privilege of receiving the Lord's supper that day; which advantage I have enjoyed every first Lord's day in each month. What a favour is this! No wonder the enemy left no stone unturned to hinder me from joining the Baptist church. Lord help me to walk worthy of my vocation!" 1811, Dec. 29th, "Another year is nearly concluded. How many events occur in twelve months, even in the narrow circle in which I move! These have caused me to cry out, 'Fly swifter round, ye wheels of time, and bring the welcome day.' Welcome as rest to the weary traveller, or as ease to those who have been long inured to pain, so would death be to my weary soul, which is grown tired of her prison, and longs and sighs for liberty. Gladly would she quit those shores of mortality, and soar to regions of eternal day. Well, 'we,' saith an apostle, 'have need of patience, that after we have done the will of God we may inherit the promises.' Hold put then, faith and patience, a little longer, and all will soon be over!"
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at Powburn, Northumberland, May 25th, 1801. In his sixteenth year he was brought to know, trust, and love the sinner's friend; and was baptized in his seventeenth year, by Mr. Sample, of Newcastle. In 1820, he was called to the ministry, and soon after went to Horton College. After finishing his studies, he was ordained, November 3rd, 1824, over the church at Scarborough. In less than twelve months after his ordination twenty persons were added to the church, and everything afforded promise of extensive usefulness, when his days were cut off in their midst. For years he had had ah affection in the chest, which often prevented his studies and public ministrations, and now hastened him by rapid strides to the grave. In September, 1825, he went to his brother's ordination, at Blackburn, and there was seized with his last illness. When told of his situation, he said, "All is well;" and within two days of his death, he said, "I have no raptures, but I have no doubts." He sweetly dwelt on several portions of Scripture, particularly Isaiah xxxiii. 17, "Thine eye shall see the King in his beauty." His last words were, "That's right, all is right," and then expired without a struggle or a sigh.1827-1828. - On the 21st June, 1827, a new chapel was opened, at Middleton, Teesdale, by Dr. Steadman, and Mr. Godwin of Horton College, near Bradford. Like many other circumstances, which unexpectedly tend to promote the cause of God, this arose, so far as the Baptist denomination was concerned, from a source altogether unforeseen. Several of the members of the church at Hamsterley having settled at Middleton, with their families, and being employed in the lead mines, under Robert Stagg, Esq., and this gentleman being well affected to the Baptists, owing to the exertions and character of their missionaries in the East Indies, &c., thought that it might prove beneficial to the neighbourhood,
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if these parties were united as a Christian church and had a respectable place in which to worship. With this view, he corresponded with Mr. Douglas of Hamsterley, aiid soon after kindly erected a chapel, and a house for the minister, at his own expense. The chapel was opened as above stated, and a church was, soon after, formed. The chapel, for some months, was supplied by students from the College at Horton; and Mr. C. H. Roe, one of them, was chosen as pastor, and ordained May 7th, 1828. Mr. Godwin, in the absence of Dr. Steadman, delivered the charge to the minister; and Mr. Acworth, of Leeds, preached to the people.1829-1831. - At South Shields, in July, 1829, Mr. Dawson was ordained over the church at Barrington Street, on the removal of Mr. Crook, who left in 1827. This church had been formed anew in October, 1828. In 1830, the church at Masham solicited admission into the association. It was granted; and the annual meeting was held there in 1831. Owing, however, to the distance of Masham, from the rest of the associated churches, it was deemed better for the Masham people to associate with the churches in the East Biding! Bedale and Masham have passed through a variety of changes since the death of their excellent founder, Mr. Terry. Each place, however, is now favoured with an excellent chapel.
On the 5th May, 1831, a new Chapel was opened at Wolsingham, by Dr. Steadman, and Messrs. Fisher, Matheson, and Pengilly. Mr. Thomson, who had laboured here for two years with considerable success, and whose character and exertions had contributed mainly to the erection of the chapel, was ordained at the same time. The church was composed of a number of the members of the church at Hanisterley, and the others were chiefly the result of the personal labours of
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Mr. Thomson. During the three following years, this church enjoyed a good measure of success, as in 1834, they numbered upwards of thirty; hut during that year Mr. Thomson resigned, and went to Perth, in Scotland.1832. - The church at Berwick-on-Tweed, formerly alluded to, had their meeting-honse enlarged this year. It had been originally erected in 1810, having, in 1809, obtained the eldership of Messrs. Kirkwood and Robson; and several most respectable individuals have since held the office of deacon. From its commencement, this church has been greatly honoured of God, inasmuch as five brethren have been called out as ministers of the word. Mr. Robert Rutherford went to America, in 1816, where he laboured for twenty-four years, and died in 1840. Mr. James Mann went to Jamaica in 1826, where, after a most laborious and successful career of four years, he died in 1831. In 1828, Mr. Alexander Anderson left, and is now pastor of a Baptist church, at Bures, near London. In 1829, Mr. John Clarke, Mr. Kirkwood's honoured son-in-law, went to Jamaica, and laboured there for ten years; and is now - 1845 - with Dr. Prince, at the head of the Baptist Mission, at Fernando-Po, Africa. Mr. James Hume went to Jamaica in 1843, and is now pastor of the Baptist church, at Mount Hermon, in that island. The original pastors of the church at Berwick, do now, in 1845, continue their labours along with the senior deacon, and have still tokens of the Divine goodness shewn them. Their order is in accordance with the Baptist brethren in Scotland; but entertaining friendly feelings towards others, and holding communion with them.
On the 7th September, 1832, Mr. William Henry Angus died of cholera, then passing over, not only Britain, but the whole globe; carrying away by its
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terrific swoop, great masses, not only of the lower classes, but also some of the most distinguished both of the religious and learned world.Mr. Angas had been through life a remarkable man, as is seen in his memoir, by Dr. Cox. Tn early life he was brought under the influence of religion, to which he ever afterwards steadily adhered through many vicissitudes. He was trained to a sea-faring life, in the pursuit of which he was exposed to many dangers. Once he nearly lost his life, by being thrown out of a boat; and at another time, by falling into the hold of a vessel, among pigs of lead. Some time afterwards, the ship in which he was sailing to the Baltic, was captured by the French, and he was nearly lost, in consequence of the wreck of the vessel that carried him and his fellow prisoners to France; but was most opportunely saved by a Flemish fishing boat. Mr. Angas was in prison for twenty months, where he had only straw for his bed in the depth of the winter, and nothing but horse beans and oil for food. He was at length released by an ex- change of prisoners; but immediately impressed to serve on board a man-of-war. His father, however, being acquainted with the admiral of the fleet, went to him, and succeeded in procuring his son's liberty.
Mr. Angas now became captain of a vessel belonging to his father, trading to the West Indies, &c. In this employment he continued seven years, during which a variety of events occurred, which shewed him the superintending goodness of God, the plague of his own heart, and the supporting influence of divine grace. The loss of his elder brother Caleb, was to him a deep affliction, but much sanctified to his spiritual benefit. In a few more years he left the sea service, and was baptized by Dr. Rippon, 3rd December, 1807, by whose church, after a course of preparatory study at
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Edinburgh, he was called to the ministry, in August, 1817.Mr. Angas now devoted himself to the spiritual good of seamen of different nations. For this purpose he went to the continent, to learn the French and Dutch languages. When there, a tempting situation of a thousand pounds a year was offered him, besides perquisites, to preach to the English settlers in the West Indies, and converse in Dutch; but he declined the offer. In 1820, meeting Mr. Ward, of Serampore, he accompanied him to Holland, to become acquainted with the Baptists there, and to interest them in the Baptist Mission. This circumstance led Mr. Angas to connect his mission to seaman with the support of the Baptist Missionary Society, and in both departments he was afterwards rendered very useful. He was set apart to his work by Dr. Ryland, at Bristol, May llth, 1822; and that year visited a great many English sea- ports. In the end of the year he went over to the continent again, to visit the different countries where there were Baptists, on behalf of the Baptist Mission; and of those he found he gives a very interesting description. Their doctrine, he tells us, is evangelical, and in their dress and habits they much resemble the Society of Friends among ourselves. Their youths are admitted into their churches by pouring, and this is done indiscriminately, much to the bane of piety among them.
From 1826 to 1829, Mr. Angas was employed among the sailors, in the different sea-ports of Britain, Guernsey, and Jersey, in establishing Sunday Schools, Bible Classes, and Libraries among them. In 1829, he again visited Switzerland, &c.; and in 1830, in returning home, visited the newly-formed churches in the North of France, and brought Mr. Tauchnitz, whom he engaged to support for twelve months at his own
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expense, as an evangelist to the Baptist Continental churches. In 1831, at the request of the Baptist Missionary Society, Mr. Angas visited the mission stations, in Jamaica. This he accomplished, at his own expense, much to the satisfaction of all concerned.Mr. Angas was providentially led to take up his abode at Tynemouth, near his native town, Newcastle, the year he died. The cause at South Shields, which he had felt for in the midst of all its vicissitudes, being now destitute of a pastor - Mr. Dawson having removed - for several months he supplied the pulpit, and exerted himself in many ways to benefit the seamen; particularly in getting a library established among them. At length, while preparing for a journey to liquidate the debt on the chapel, the cholera made its appearance, and seized on him as one of its many victims. This was on the morning of Friday, 7th September. Throughout the day he was quite composed, and said to his relatives, &c., "I know whom I have believed," &c. "I know if this earthly house," &c. "Hope is my anchor - firm and strong: Jesus, at thy command, I launch into the deep: Christ is precious to me now - never so precious before - all my salvation, and all my desire." It could scarcely be known when he ceased to breathe, which look place about half-past seven that same evening, aged fifty-one. He was buried in the New Cemetery, New-castle, on the following day. A stone was erected to his memory, on which are inscribed the principal events of his useful life, and much lamented death; also the following lines: -
"His record is on high! The stone we raise
Exalts the Saviour's, not the servant's praise.
He lived the son of Ocean; and he bore
The sound of heavenly grace from shore to shore.
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He fixed his anchor firm within the vail,
And blessed the refuge that could never fail:
The billows rose he smil'd, with heaven in view,
And dying, proved his living witness true."On Mr. Angus' death, Mr. Tapscot, formerly missionary at Brough, &c., was called to labour in South Shields. He was ordained hy Dr. Cox aud others, December 2nd, 1832.*
1833-1836. - Several new chapels were erected and opened during these years. At the Forest, about six miles above Middleton, Teesdale, a new chapel was opened, June 6th, 1834, for the advantage of the scattered mining and agricultural population in the neighbourhood; Mr. Stagg and family hearing the chief expense. Messrs. Pengilly, Fisher, and Griffiths preached on the occasion to large congregations. On the 8th of the same month, a small Baptist church of seven members was formed, at Brough, in Westmoreland. Mr. Sneath, who had previously laboured at the Forest, was ordain- ed at Brough, 8th September, 1835. It was about this time that Mr. Roe resigned his charge at Middleton, and commenced a career of great usefulness, as secre- tary of the Home Missionary Society.
On the 23rd November, 1834, a new chapel was opened, fitted to contain about four hundred persons, for a sum not exceeding five hundred and sixty pounds, in- cluding title-deeds, &c., at Maryport, Cumberland. Mr. Hugh Anderson, of Horton College, commenced his labours here, on the 3rd of May following.
On the 6th of April, 1835, a small neat chapel, capable of containing about two hundred persons, was opened at Ravenglas, Cumberland; Messrs. Frearsons and Anderson engaging in the services.
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* Mr. J. Kinghorn died this year, aged 66. Mr. R. Hall had died in 1831, aged 67.
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On the evening of the 8th June, 1835, a sermon was preached by Mr. Sample, from Exodus xxxiii. 14, 15, in the Farm-house of Hindley. This service closed the public worship of God, in a place where it had been maintained, under the aupices of a branch of the Angus family, for upwards of one hundred and fifty years. A new chapel was opened the following day, at Broomley, about a mile distant, by Mr. Pengilly. Another new chapel was opened the same year, at Shotley-field, fitted to hold one hundred and fifty persons.On the 23rd September, the same year also, a new place of worship, situate in Marlborough Crescent, Newcastle, called Providence Chapel, was opened. It is adapted to hold between three hundred and four hundred persons, Messrs. Wycherley, Bailey, and others, have supplied the pulpit since that time; but the church meeting there have recently united with R. B. Sanderson, Esq., who some time since left the National Establishment, and is now decidedly opposed both to Infant Sprinkling and the Union of Church and State* as evinced in his occasional and periodical publications, as well as in his earnest public addresses.
On the 3rd April, 1836, a small church of five members was formed, at Bedlington, north-east of Newcastle, by Mr. Banks. The cause was originally begun in 1829, by Mr. Tyndale, of Gloucestershire, who removed in 1833, and was succeeded by Mr. Dickenson.
1837 and 1838. During these years several eminent individuals were called to their everlasting home. Dr. Steadman, of Horton College, died 12th April, 1837. He had held the presidency of that college, with great honour to himself, and usefulness to the Baptist denomination, for thirty years; having commenced his labours in 1805, and resigned them in 1835. Mr. Pengilly, of Newcastle, also, this year, lost his eldest daughter, Eliza, much to the deep regret of her.
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parents, and all who knew her Christian worth. Mir. Edward Wilkinson, one of the deacons of New Court Chapel, Newcastle, also died this year, aged forty-four, after an illness of four days. He had honourably held the deacon's office for upwards of ten years, besides being extensively employed in preaching the gospel for a much longer period. He experienced those supports, in the prospect of death, which the Redeemer never fails to impart to his servants.The 5th December, 1837, was remarkable as the day of the exit from time of the last of the great missionary Triumvirate, of Serampore, in India, Dr. Joshua Marshman, aged 71. Dr. Carey had died June 9th, 1834, aged 73; and Mr. Ward had died March 7th, 1823, aged 54. The names of these devoted men will ever live in the records of the church of God, and of British India, their adopted country.
Mr. Williamson, of North Shields, was called away from this scene of toil and suffering, to his everlasting rest, December 23rd, 1838. He was a pious and consistent Christian; and combined in his temper and manners two rare, but highly useful qualities, namely gentleness and firmness. His talents were more useful than splendid; and during the twenty-three years of his ministry, God had greatly blessed him. He died in his 48th year, leaving a widow and an interesting young family, several of whom are members of the church, to lament his loss.
In the year 1838, also, two remarkable individuals finished their course Mr. Jonathan Soppit and Mrs. Marshall, of Shotley-field; the one in his hundreth, and the other in her ninetieth year. They were both members of the church at Rowley; and Mr. Soppit had been deacon of the church from the time of its separation from Hamsterley, in 1785. Through the long years of their pilgrimage, they discovered unshaken interest in
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the best of causes. They were cousins; and through their respective mothers, both were the grand-children of Mr. Jonathan Angus, of Panshields. Mr. Angus was born in 1680, and consequently would be well acquainted with Messrs. Ward, Blacket, &c. the men of the first generation of Baptists in the North of England. Mr. Soppit and Mrs. Marshall would enjoy the society of their grandfather, more or less, for about thirty or forty years. From him then, they would obtain an intimate acquaintance with the men and times of the first, second, and third period of our history. This was the case particularly with Mrs. Marshall, who was the ablest chronicler of the olden times of any in later years; as the greatest part of the pedigree of the Angus family, compiled by Mr. Pengilly, and of which, in our narrative, we have made considerable use, was obtained from her. It would, we imagine, be thus that Eusebius, at a period from the death of the apostle John, somewhat corresponding to our own from the days of Mr. Tillam, would, from ancient documents and traditionary memorials, glean the different fragments of which that eminent piece of antiquity is made up the Ecclesiastical History that goes by his name.========================= [From David Douglas, History of the Baptist Churches in the North of England, from 1733 to 1748, London, 1846, pp. 268-283. Scanned and formatted by Jim Duvall.]
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