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GENEALOGY COL.L.ECTION

ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY

3 1833 00723 8428

.H^c . "^y

il!*'^

History of Upper Chapel.

SHEFFIELD;

FOUNDED 1662: BUILT 1700;

^^ Foy the Worship and Service of Almighty God.'"
A BICENTENNIAL VOLUME,

WITH AN APPENDIX CONTAINING

TIMOTHY JOLLIE'S REGISTER

OF BAPTISMS.

J. E. MANNING, M.A.,

MINISTER OF THE CHAPEL.

tJ^ We love the venerable house

94^ . 740P- Our fathers built to God.

SHEFFIELD:

THE INDEPENDENT PRESS, LIMITED, PRINTERS, FARGATE.

1900.

THE MEMORY OF

JOSEPH HUNTER, F.S.A.,

WHO, WHEN A BOY, ATTENDED THE SERVICES AT UPPER CHAPEL,

AND WHEN A MAN REMEMBERED WITH AFFECTION

HIS OLD RELIGIOUS HOME,

THIS VOLUME

IS DEDICATED IN GRATEFUL RECOGNITION OF MUCH

VALUABLE HELP,

PREFACE.

A MEETING of the congregation of Upper Chapel was

held in Channing Hall on the i8th of July, 1899, under

the presidency of Mr. Michael Joseph Hunter, senior Trustee,

when it was resolved that, in view of the bicentennial of the

building of the chapel, a history of this place of worship be

' prepared and published in 1900. i *"? ^ftOO^

In compiling the history I have consulted the following
works (among others) : — Joseph Hunter's " Hallamshire,"
" Gens Sylvestrina," and various documents which I have
been able to consult either personally or through others ;
Miall's "Congregationalism in Yorkshire;" Turner's " Diary
of Oliver Heywood;" Fishwick's "Thomas Jolly's Note
Book;" Urwick's "Nonconformity in Cheshire;" Calamy's
"Account;" Palmer's "Nonconformist's Memorial;" "The
Di(ftionary of National Biography;" Giles Hester's " Atter-
cliffe," " Memorials of the Hollis Family," " Nevill Simmons,
Bookseller and Publisher;" R. E. Leader's "Reminiscences
of Old Sheffield." Many of the biographies I have been
obliged to compile from the local newspapers, from the past
numbers of the Unitarian Herald and Inquirer, or from the
Christian Reformer.

I must express my special indebtedness to the Rev.
Alexander Gordon, M.A., Principal of the Unitarian Home
Missionary College, Manchester, and to Henry Julian Hunter,
Esq., M.D., of Bath, for many valuable suggestions.

J. E. M.

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

PAGE

Upper Chapel

Frontispiece

" The Wise Virgin "

HolHs's Hospital . .

Timothy Jollie

Registration Order

Joseph Evans

Miniature — " Sacred to love and friendship '

Joseph Hunter

Nathaniel Philipps

Brooke Herford

115

Thomas Jessop

125

The Jessop Hospital

129

John Lettis Short..

133

George Vance Smith

141

Eli Fay

145

Channing Hall — Interior..

149

John Hobson

153

Herbert Bramley . .

159

Michael Hunter . .

163

John Edmondson Manning

. 167

Francis Morton

177

INDEX.

Introduction

Ads of Uniformity, 1549, 1552, 1559, 1662.
Corporation Adl, 1661
Conventicle Ad:, 1664
Five Miles Aft, 1665
Declaration of Indulgence, 1672 . .
Declaration of Liberty of Conscience, 1687
Toleration Aft, i68g..
Aft against occasional Conformity, 171 1
Schism Bill, 1714
Cromwell's Board of Triers
Upper Chapel an Independent Foundation
Open Trusts . .
Period I. — Calvinism. — 1662-1714

The Ministry of James Fisher, 1662-1666

Edward Prime, Matthew Bloome, Rowland

"The Wise Virgin" ..
The Ministry of Robert Durant, 1669-1679

The New Hall opened

Thomas Hollis . .

Richard Taylor, 1679-1681
The Ministry of Timothy Jollie, 1681-1714

His Ordination . .

Marriage with Elizabeth Fisher

Imprisonments . .

"Humble Address" to James II. ..

Attercliffe Academy

The New Chapel (Upper Chapel) built

Death of Timothy Jollie

Inscription on Tombstone

Jeremiah Gill, Assistant, 1689 ?-i697

Field Sylvester . .

Registration Order
Period II. — Modified Orthodoxy. — 1714-1759

John Wadsworth, Assistant, 1701 . .

John De la Rose, Assistant, 1714 . .

The Secession . .

Trust Deeds of Nether Chapel

The High Calvinism of De la Rose

Hancock

INDEX.

Belief at Upper Chapel

and) . .
1745-1758 ..

The Ministry of John Wadsworth, 1715-1744 . .

Timothy Jollie, Junior, Assistant, 1715-1720

Daniel Clark, Assistant, 1720-1724 . .

Benjamin Roberts, Assistant, 1724-1740 ..

Field Sylvester Wadsworth, Assistant, 1740-1756

Nevill Simmons
Period IIL — Arianism. — 1745-1837

The Changes in Theological

Calvinism

Arianism . .

Clarkeism (Arianism in Engl

Unitarianism
The Ministry of Thomas Haynes

Fulwood Chapel

John Dickinson, Assistant, 1758-1780

Benjamin Naylor, Assistant, 1780-1798
The Ministry of Joseph Evans, 1758-1798

Joseph Hunter, F.S.A.
The Ministry of Benjamin Naylor, 1798-1805
The Ministry of Nathaniel Philipps, D.D., 1805-1837

His Remonstrance to the Dissidents

Inscription on his Tomb, by Joseph Hunter
Period IV. — Unitarianism. — Section I. — 1838-1875

Henry Hunt Piper

Peter Wright ..
The Ministry of Bartholomew Teeling Stannus, 1838

Re-opening of Chapel after Enlargement.

The Dissenters' Chapels Aft..

The Lady Hewley Case

The Wolverhampton Case

The Congregational Committee
The Ministry of Thomas Hincks, B.A., F.R.S
The Ministry of Brooke Herford, 1856-1864 .

Upperthorpe Chapel . .

Resignation of Pulpit of Upper Chapel .

Life in America and Return to England .

The Shores of Meersbrook

Urith Lydia Shore
Laymen of Upper Chapel

Thomas Asline Ward

Edward Bramley

Alfred Beckett . .

John Beckett

Thomas Jessop . .

The Jessop Hospital

Robert Jackson . .

185

1855-

59
60
64
65
65
67

70-100

70-75
72
72

73
75

75-78

78-79

79-86

86-92

95-100

101-136

lOI

102
103-109
105
106
106
107
108

IIO-III

III-II4

112

114
117
118
II9-I32
119

121
122
123
124
128
131

INDEX.

The Ministry of John Lettis Short, 1865-1874

William Henry Channing, 1875
Period IV. — Unitarianism. — Section II. — 1875-1900

Ministry of George Vance Smith, B.A., Ph. & Theol. Dod
1875-1876

New Testament Revision

Thomas Wilson Scott, 1875-1876
The Ministry of Eli Fay, 1876-1883

Channing Hall built . .
Laymen of Upper Chapel . .

William Fisher, Senior

William Fisher, Junior
The Fisher Institution

John Hobson

Robert Thomas Eadon

William Edward Laycock

Herbert Bramley

Michael Hunter
The Ministry of John Finder Bland, B.D., 1884-1888
The Ministry of John Edmondson Manning, M.A., i88g

Revival of Services at Fulwood

The Chapel Roll-book

The Triennial Conference, 1897

The Bicentennial of the Chapel, 1700-igoo
Institutions, Monuments, Officers, &c.

The Sunday School

Sick and Savings Society

Senior Class

Young People's Religious Union . .

Guild of Good Endeavour and Band of Hope

The Sewing Guild

The Minister's Class . .

Tablet in Memory of Francis Morton

Tablet in Memory of Charles Hinde

Ladies' Sewing Society

Literary Society

Postal Mission . .
Ministers who have been conneded with Upper Chapel and
Sunday School

John Cuckson . .

William George Tarrant, B.A.

Herbert John Rossington, B.A.
Lay Preachers conneded with Upper Chapel

Charles Woollen

Upper Chapel Fellowship Fund

The Monuments in the Chapel

INDEX.

Memorial Windows

The Memorial Tablet . .

The Organ

The Communion Plate

Present Officers of the Chapel

List of Trustees of Upper Chapel

List of Secretaries from 1821

List of Treasurers from 1821

List of Ministers, 1662-igoo . .

Index ef Names

. 185

. 187

188

from 1704

. 188-190
190
191
191

193
196

ERRATA.
Page 33, line 8, for 23 read 25 ; for 32 read 34.

INTRODUCTION.

T TPPER CHAPEL, like so many Nonconformist chapels,
^ owes its origin to the passing of the A6\ of Uniformity
in 1662. This Acft, together with others of a like nature,
was passed to secure uniformity of belief and worship. But
Adls of Uniformity have proved to be the most effecftual
means hitherto discovered by our legislators of preventing
uniformit}^ in religion.

The first Act of Uniformity^ (Ed. VI.), passed in the year
1549, diredfed that the new English Prayer Book (Edward's
first Prayer Book) should be used in all churches throughout
the land. This involved great changes in the old service,
and the result was open rebellion. In Devonshire, Cornwall,
Norfolk, and elsewhere there was civil war, the revolt being
suppressed only after scenes of violence and bloodshed.

The second Act of Uniformity' (Ed. VI.), passed in the year
1552, directed that the revised Prayer Book, " which the
King and Parliament had now caused to be perused,
explained, and made more perfecl," was to be used " in all
churches after the feast of All Saints, under the same
penalties that had been enat^led to the former book three
years before."

The third Act of Uniformity'^ (Eliz.) was passed in 1559.
It directed that the second Prayer Book of Edward VI.
should be used in all the churches. Clergymen refusing to
comply were to be deprived of their livings. About 192 of
the superior clergy, including eleven of the Marian bishops,
were ejecfted.

The fourth Act of Uniformity (Chas. II.) was passed in
1662, and required that all clergymen should declare their
"unfeigned assent and consent" to all and everything con-
tained in the Book of Common Prayer. The penalty for

1 2 & 3 Ed. VI., c. I. See Neal, " History of the Puritans," I. pp. 46-8.
2 5 & 6 Ed. VI., c. I. Neal, ib., pp. 63-64. ^ j Eliz. c. 2,

2 UPPER CHAPEL.

neglecfling or refusing to make this declaration was depriva-
tion ipso facto of all their spiritual promotions. It further
enacfted that all masters, fellows, or tutors of colleges,
professors at the Universities, schoolmasters keeping public
or private schools, and " any person instructing youth in any
private family, shall, before the feast of St. Bartholomew,
1662," subscribe certain declarations, and " conform to the
liturgy of the Church of England, as it is now by law
established."

A clause further enacts " that no person shall be capable
of any benefice, or presume to consecrate and administer the
holy sacrament of the Lord's Supper, before he be ordained
a priest by episcopal ordination, on pain of forfeiting for every
offence one hundred pounds."'

This k€i received the royal assent on May 19th, and was
to take effecfl: on the 24th of August. Many clergymen could
not obtain a copy of the A(5t before August 17th ; many never
saw it at all until they found themselves deprived of their
livings. Bishop Kennet says of it : " The world has reason
to admire, not only the wisdom of this hS., but even the
moderation of it " (!) But Neal- well asks, " Where could be
the wisdom and moderation of this Adt, which turned out two
thousand ministers into the world to beg their bread upon
such severe terms? . . . Must the blessings of unity and
peace, then, be built on the foundation of persecution,
plunder, perfidy, and the wastes of conscience ? "

The results of this A6t were deplorable. It not only
inflicted severe hardships on the ejected ministers, but it
deprived the Church of England of some of its most learned
and able men ; but what proved still more disastrous to it
was that they were amongst the most indefatigable in parish
work and labour among the poor, the most pious, earnest,
and conscientious. The Church could ill afford at that time
to lose such men. The A61 will always be a blot upon the
Church's name. But by such men as Bishops Sheldon and
Morley, and the whole King-and-Church party, the Acft was
welcomed as a crowning mercy.

1 Neal, IV., pp. 325-29. - Neal, ib., p. 331.

INTRODUCTION. 3

xA.mong those ejected or silenced were distinguished men
hke Baxter, Calamy, PhiUp Henry, Owen, Bates, Goodwin,
Clarkson, Gouge, Caryl, and many others. Thomas Jollie
(1629-1703), father of Timothy Jollie, was ejected from
Altham in Lancashire ; William Bagshaw (1628- 1702), " the
Apostle of the Peak," from Glossop ; Oliver Heywood (1630-
1702) from Coley Chapel, Halifax; James Fisher ( -1666)
from Sheffield ; Robert Durant ( -1678), who succeeded
him as minister to the first Nonconformist place of worship
in the town, was ejected from Crowie in Lincolnshire.^ It
was not easy to fill the places of the ejedled ministers. They
were, as Locke says, " worthy, learned, pious, orthodox
divines." We are told that many who were put in their
places were unfit to teach because of their youth ; others
were men of bad reputation ; others illiterate ; others
" facftious." The Church did not gain, but suffered, by the
change. But the worst effedT: of the Acl of Uniformity is,
that it sowed the seeds of enmity between Churchpeople and
Nonconformists, which have since grown to a harvest.

Connecfted with this Ac^ were others equally cruel and
persecuting ; and as they will be referred to more than once
in this history, it may be well to give them concisely here.

In 1661 the Corporation Act was passed. It drove Non-
conformists from public life ; for it required that all persons
holding municipal offices — Mayors, Aldermen, Town Clerks,
Magistrates — should " take the sacrament of the Lord's

'The following six ejeded ministers are buried in the Sheffield Parish
Churchyard : —

1674 Thomas Burbeck (Ackvvorth).

1678 Robert Durant (Crowie).

1G81 Richard Taylor (Long-Haughton). ^

1685 Rowland Hancock (Bradfield and Sheffield).

1697 Nathaniel Baxter (St. Michael's, Lane). After ejedion he
preached at the Abbey Church, Beauchief.

1708 Edward Prime (Sheffield ; assistant to James Fisher).
The five following were naUves of Sheffield : —

Richard Taylor (above named), b. 1636.

John Crooke (Denby Chapel), d. 1687.

William Pell (Stainton), d. 1698.

James Creswick (Freshwater), d. 1692.

Samuel Bayes (Grindon).

4 UPPER CHAPEL.

Supper according to the rites of the Church of England."
They must renounce the Solemn League and Covenant, and
declare it unlawful to take up arms against the King on any
pretence whatever. This Acl was repealed in part in the
time of George IV., 1828 ; wholly in 1871 (34 and 35 Vi(ft.,
c. 48).

In 1664 the Conventicle Act was passed, which prohibited
under penalty all public worship other than that of the
Church of England. It enacted that if " five or more persons
than the household" meet for such worship, they "shall for
the first offence suffer three months' imprisonment, or pay a
sum not exceeding five pounds ;" for the second six months,
or ten pounds ; for the third, " that the offender be banished
to some of the American plantations for seven years, or pay
one hundred pounds ; and in case they return, or make their
escape, such persons are to be adjudged felons, and suffer
death without benefit of clergy." Very soon after this A6t
was passed the gaols were filled with Nonconformists. Pepys
says in his Diary, " I would to God they would conform, or
be more wise and not be catched." To discover "conventicles"
officers of justice (!) had the right of forcible entry into
suspected houses. The King, Charles II., now suggested
that toleration should be sold to Nonconformists, as a means
of raising the revenue. The bishops were firm against this,
as was also Clarendon. His opposition in this matter is said
to have lost him the King's favour. This A(5t was repealed
in 1863.

In 1665 the Five-miles Act was passed.' It was aimed
against Nonconformist ministers. It is entitled " An Acft
to restrain Nonconformists from inhabiting Corporations."
After stating that Nonconformist ministers must take an
oath like that imposed by the Corporation Adl, it goes on,
" And all such Nonconformist ministers shall not after the
24th of March, 1665, unless in passing the road, come, or be

1 This Ad, called also the Oxford Ad, came into force 25th March,
1666, and did not affedt any who took the oath against taking up arms
against the King on any pretence, or trying to change the government.
About forty took it, including Bates, Howe, Jacomb, and Pool. It was
repealed in 181 2.

INTRODUCTION. 5

within five miles of any city, town corporate, or borougli ; or
within five miles of any parish, town, or place, wherein they
have since the adl: of oblivion been parson, vicar, or leclurer,
&c., or where they have preached in any conventicle on any
pretence whatsoever." The penalty was forty pounds; to go,
"one-third to the King, another third to the poor, and a third
to him that shall sue for it." " Any two justices of peace are
empowered to commit the offender to prison for six months
without bail or mainprize."

Soon after it was passed we hear of ministers meeting
their flocks by stealth. Mr. Billingsley, ejecT;ed from Chester-
field, went to live in Mansfield, then not a corporate town,
and used to steal along the Chesterfield road, often by night,
to minister to his old friends. Mr. Fisher in Sheffield, and
after him Mr. Durant and Mr. Jollie, made many visits to
their people while living in concealment. They were watched
by informers, and were more than once thrown into prison.
The Nonconformist laity were not exempt. Magistrates were
appointed who were known to be hostile to Nonconformity.
No Nonconformist was safe. Servants were bribed or
threatened with imprisonment to make them inform against
their masters. Letters were opened, and their contents
construed as illegal. The prisons were crowded with earnest,
pious men, who in their own place were known to live
exemplary lives. The state of affairs may be seen from the
following extracft from Oliver Hey wood's Diary, 1682 : —

"On Aug. 30, '82, at mine own house, we kept a solemne
day of thanksgiving to god for the publick liberty we have
injoyed in my house without interruption, aboue 10 yeares,
notwithstanding many warrants issued out agt us as
well as others, yet we have been secured through the
moderation of our officers as instrumental, when all the
society [s] round about us haue been sadly broken and
scattered, Mr. Smith at Kipping, Mr. Dawson at Closes, Mr.
Jos. Holdsworth at Heckmondwyke^ meet not in the day, but
in the night for these several months, so at Leeds, Morly,
Topliff, Alverthorp, Mr. Whitehurst at Lidiat — all haue been

1 Corroborated by the numerous entries in the Heckmondwike Church
Book on the purchase of candles.

6 UPPER CHAPEL.

some way hindered in the places they used to meet in, and
the limes they had met on and in Craven they haue been
fined, at SheiTield they were all taken off,i some troubled at
Sessions, watcht — , at Jo Armytages they meet in the night
at Robt Bins hitherto obstructed scarce any place in the
country free. Mr. Ward of York, hunted, fined 40 li.
scattered, scarce any place in this county free except Hull
and yet we, even we at this poor Northowrum haue been quiet
never informed agt, disturbed, molested only 2 or 3 days we
begun a little sooner then at other times, but god brought full
companys, and that was but wn we knew wt time the officers
would come immediately before the Sessions, and then
returned into our old channel again and haue vast multitudes
that ffock to us from all parts of the country, so many
meetings being broken."-

The difficulties in which Nonconformists found themselves
under these persecuting A(5ts, are well seen in the following
extracft from Thomas Jollie's Note Book (1683). The incident
occurred while he was visiting his son in York Castle : — "' In
the citty an objecft of pitty and prayers was then presented to
mee, viz., one reduced to a great exegent by psecution from
the Prelats Court, that hee must either temporize and truckle
to them or give up his rich shop and full trade, or surrender
up himself to ppetual imprisonment and pay a large sume of
money besides. The want of consideration before hand and
his weakness in grace made the temptation to work almost to
distratflion, yet did the lord counsell and comfort, succour,
and save him in that distress according to prayers."

The objecT: of all these Acts, known as the Clarendon Code,
was to destroy Nonconformity. It was regarded as a disease
in the State, to be cured by drastic means. The means
adopted, however, had not the effect intended. In spite
of persecution Nonconformity spread. Moreo\er, under
monarchs like Charles II, and James II., with their strong

1 This year Timothy JoUie was obliged to leave Sheffield ; he was sub-
sequently arrested, fined /'20, and imprisoned in York Castle for six
months.

- Exad reprint from O. Hey wood's " Solemne Covenants." Turner, iii.
p. 214.

INTRODUCTION. 7

Roman Catholic sympathies, the Acfts told against their
Cathohc supporters. They were desirous, therefore, of
relieving them.

Accordingly in 1672 Charles II. issued a Dcclaratioit of
Indulgence, proclaimmg that it was the royal will and pleasure
that all penal laws against Nonconformists should be imme-
diately suspended, " and they are hereby suspended." His
objecl: was to relieve the Catholics. The Protestant Non-
conformists were not blind to the faci:. They did not approve
of the right assumed by the King to dispense with laws passed
by Parliament. When it suited his purpose he might
dispense with the new Indulgence. The Commons resisted ;
and the Indulgence was withdrawn the following year. But
in the meantime many Nonconformist ministers took out
licenses to preach under the King's own hand and seal,
1672.1

Again, in 16S7, James II. issued a Declaration fov Libei'ty of
Conscitnce, suspending all penal enactments against Noncon-
formists. James had at first favoured the High Church
party, and had persecuted the Nonconformists. But finding
the same party bitterly hostile to the Roman Catholics, he
now sought to win the Nonconformists to his side. The

1 I am indebted to the Rev. Alex. Gordon for the following notices of
the Sheffield licenses, 1672 :— I. Presbyterian. Thomas Burbcck, or
Biyhweck, ej. Ackworth, licensed for own house in Shetiield Walker calls
him (ii. 85) " a Stif-Rump'd Presbyterian," which, says Calamy (Ace. 7S9,
cont. 940), "is a Phrase that needs Explication." He died 8 July, 1674;
bur. 10 July at Sheffield (Turner i. 306). Matthew Bloome, ej. Sheffield
ledure, licensed for own house at " Arcliffe"; also Arthur Powell's house,
Attercliffe ; also for Cowlhorne, and Briggate, Leeds. He died 13 Ap.,
16S6, in Lincolnshire. Edward Priiiw, ej. Sheffield curacy, licensed for own
house ; also Robt. Britsworth's malthouse ; also for Beverley and Ship-
langton. Died 26 Ap., 1708; age 77 (?) H. Congregatio.\.\l. Robert
Durant, ej. Crowle ; licensed for Fisher's house (prob. Dr. Fisher, son of
Rev. James Fisher) ; also for Leeds, in house of a Presbyterian. Died 12
Feb., 167! ; age 71. Richard Taylor, ej. Long Haughton ; licensed for
Fisher's house; also for Swath. Born Sheffield, 17 May, 1636. Ed.
:\Iagdalene Coll., Camb. Died Mar., 1681. A facsimile of the license
granted to Oliver Hey wood to preach " in a Roome or Roomes in the house
of John Butterworth in ye Parish of Hallifax, in ye County of Yorke," is
given in Turner, ii. 16.

O UPPER CHAPEL.

Declaration was re-issued in 1688, and the clergy were
commanded to read it in their churches. Most of them
hesitated to comply, and they were supported by many
Nonconformists ; Baxter, Howe, Stretton, and other leaders
declaring they would not benefit by an ad: that assumed the
King's right to dispense with the laws of the country. The
seven Bishops strenuously resisted, and were brought to
trial. " God has given me the dispensing power, and I will
maintain it," said the King. But the jury took a different
view, and the Bishops were acquitted, to the joy of the
nation. The majority of the Protestant Nonconformists were
in perplexity ; the temptation was great ; but if they used the
King's indulgence what w^as to prevent him from taking away
their liberties once more when it suited his purpose ? A large
setHiion declined it altogether ; many stood aloof ; but some,
and among them the congregation of Sheffield, addressed a
letter of grateful thanks to their " Dread Sovereign," ex-
pressing their thankfulness that the prisons were now opened,
and that liberty of conscience was assured. It is a curious
document. It will be found printed on page 35.

But laws like the Clarendon Code cannot last. Nor can
the dispensing with the laws, as adopted by Charles II. and
James II., be tolerated. The needs of social and political life
forbid it. It was political necessity rather than religious
sentiment that brought about a change in England. During
the reign of James II. Churchmen and Nonconformists found
themselves united in opposition to Roman Catholicism,
which they all dreaded. In return for Nonconformist help,
men in power and political organisations of various kinds,
had pledged themselves to help Nonconformists in their
struggle against persecuting laws. Ideas of toleration had
spread. The new King, William, was on the side of those
who claimed equal religious rights for all. A reacrtion took
place ; and when, in 16S9, " An Act for exempting their
Majesties' Protestant subjecT:s dissenting from the Church of
England from the penalties of certain laws," the so-called
Toleration Act (though the word toleration is not used in
the Bill) was brought into Parliament, it was passed
without opposition. Henceforth Independents, Presbyterians,

INTRODUCTION. 9

Quakers, Baptists, might worship as conscience direcfted
them. The law gave them protection. Roman Catholics
were excluded, and so were Unitarians. The Bill was, in
truth, a Partial-Toleration Bill. But it secured immunity
from interference in worship for a large section of the nation.
All who benefited by it were obliged to declare their
allegiance to the Crown, their detestation of Popery, their
belief in the Trinity.^ This Acft received the royal assent
24th INIay, 1689. It was not until the year 1813 that legal
penalties for holding anti-trinitarian opinions were removed
from the Statute Book.

So long as William was on the throne Nonconformists
were safe, in spite of the restless scheming of the High
Church party. But no sooner was he dead than this party
began to undermine the work he had done, and in 171 1 the
Act against Occasional Cotifoniiiiy was passed, excluding Non-
conformists from public offices, " till they have made oath
that they have entirely conformed to the Church, and not
been at any conventicle for the space of a whole year." This
outrageous Bill was followed by one still worse ; for in 1714
the Schism Bill was passed by a majority of 237 against 126.
It was intended to prevent Nonconformists from acting as
schoolmasters and tutors : they were to have nothing to do
with the education of the young. Any schoolmaster or tutor
proved to have attended Nonconformist worship was to suffer
three months' imprisonment, and be disqualified for the future
to exercise the office of teacher. This Act, "one of the worst
that ever defiled the Statute Book," was to come into effecf
on the ist August, 1714. But that very day the Queen died,
and her death stayed the operation of the Acl. It was
repealed by her successor, George I.

These various Acts represent many years of conflict
during which Nonconformity was struggling for existence.
Its opponents, chiefly of the High Church party, regarded
Nonconformists as schismatics, dangerous to the State : they
could not be loyal Englishmen and not worship according to
the rites of the Church of England. The conception of

1 Neal, Puritans, V. append. 13, gives this Act in full.

lO UPPER CHAPEL.

religious toleration was difficult to grasp, and made its
way slowly. The dotftrine of religious equality is only now
beginning to be understood.

At the beginning of the conflict two bodies of Noncon-
formists stand out prominently, the Presbyterians and the
Independents. The former had been the stronger party until
the time of Cromwell. The first presbytery was established
at Wandsworth in 1572, though Queen Elizabeth was
strongly opposed to the Presbyterians. But it comprised only
a single organised congregation, and did not, therefore,
exactly correspond to the Scotch Presbyterian system or to
the Lancashire " classis." Its proceedings were kept as
secret as possible ; and though the Queen " issued a pro-
clamation for putting the Ati of Uniformity in execution,"
and though the officers of the High Commission knew of the
existence of the presbytery, " they could not discover the
members of it, nor prevent others being erecT;ed in neigh-
bourmg counties."' Presbyterianism grew both in numbers
and influence. Parliament was for the Presbyterian system
of Church government, even before the assembling of the
Westminster divines in 1643. In that assembly, says Neal,'-
" the majority at first intended only the reducing Episcopacy
to the standard of the first or second age, but for the sake of
the Scots' alliance, they were prevailed with to lay aside the
name and function of bishops, and attempt the establishing a
presbyterial form, which at length they advanced into jus
divinum, or a divine institution, derived expressly from
Christ and his Apostles. This engaged them in so many
controversies, as prevented their laying the top stone of the
building, so that it fell to pieces before it was perfecled." A
coalition of Scotch and English Presbyterians was brought
about in 1643. On the 25th September of that year they met
in St. Margaret's Church, Westminster, and took the Solemn
League and Covenant " for the preservation of ourselves and
our religion from utter ruin and destrucftion." The establish-
ment of the Presbyterian form of Church government m
England was acftually voted by the Long. Parliament, 13th

1 Neal, I., p. 244. " III. p. 116.

INTRODUCTION*. II

October, 1647. Yet, in spite of the predominance of the
Presbyterians, this form of government was never really
established. There was always a sufficiently large minority
of Independents to prevent " their laying the top stone."
London and the neighbourhood had, however, in the
meantime been formed into twelve presbyteries, or rather
twelve classes (with a presbytery for each parish) ; and the
Presbyterian system had taken root also in Warwickshire,
Lancashire, Derbyshire, Shropshire, Northumberland, and
(for a time) Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, and Devonshire.

In Cromwell's time we find a system of Church govern-
ment unique in our annals. He established a Board of Tvici's
to examine the iitness uf ministers presented to livings. The
right of patronage remained as it was, but each minister had
to receive the approbation of this Board before he could be
appointed. Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Independents, and
(a few) Baptists alike were elected to livings in the Church.
Cromwell was for the widest toleration. He wanted the best
men, the most religious men, whatever their ideas on Church
government might be. Under his regime, the principle of
the Presbyterians, " comprehension," and that of the Inde-
pendents, "toleration," seemed, like righteousness and peace,
to have kissed each other. The scheme worked well. The
livings in the Church were hlled with godly and zealous men.
The Triers have been accused of favouritism and arbitrariness
in their selection. " Yet," says Baxter, " so great was the
benefit above the hurt which they brought to the Church,
that many thousands of souls blessed God for the faithful
ministers whom they let in, and grieved when the Prelatists
afterwards cast them out again."'

The process of casting out began with the Restoration.
At Cromwell's death the Presbyterians were amongst those
who desired the recall of Charles II., and a deputation uf
their ministers waited upon him at Breda, and there received
from him promises which satisfied them that they were safe
under the rule of " a praying King."

In reality Charles had no love for the Puritans.
" Presbyterianism is no religion for a gentleman," said he.
1 Neal, IV., p. 99.

12 UPPER CHAPEL.

Whatever the expectations of the Presbyterians might be, the
doings of the King and his High Chancellor Clarendon began
to open their eyes to the facfl that Episcopalians and not
Presbyterians were henceforth to be in the ascendant. The
Act of Uniformity in 1662, and the persecuting acts that
accompanied it, completed the rude process ot awakening
them from their delusion. Presbyterianism was abolished,
never to be restored.

The majority of the two thousand ejected from their
livings by the A6t of Uniformity were moderate Episcopalians
and Presbyterians ; a large minority were Independents.
Among the latter was the Rev. James Fisher, vicar of
Sheffield. Robert Durant, who succeeded him, Richard
Taylor, who probably preached during the interregnum,
and Timothy Jollie, were also Independents. There was no
Presbyterian classis in Yorkshire, and though Upper Chapel
has frequently been designated a Presbyterian foundation
there is no evidence that this was the case. On the contrary,
all the evidence points the other way. It is true that Oliver
Heywood speaks of " presbiters" present at Timothy Jollie's
ordination ; but these were simply ministers invited to take
part in the service. The actual engagement between minister
and people was according to Congregational usage. Oliver
Heywood says the chapel " was always accounted indepen-
dent"; and on the title-page of John De la Rose's funeral
sermon on Timothy Jollie, the latter is called, "late Pastor
of the Congregational Church at Sheffield." In the diary
of Tmiothy Jollie, junior, under the date 1714, we find a
reference to his father's death, and he continues, " Upon his
Decease strange Heats in y*= Congregational Church at
Sheffield." All contemporaneous evidence points in the same
diredtion. It proves that the theory that Upper Chapel was
a Presbyterian foundation is a later growth. By the actual
founders it was understood to be an Independent Church.
It is true that on Gosling's Map of Sheffield, 1736, Upper
Chapel is marked " Presbyterian Meeting House"; but as it
marks Nether Chapel " ditto," we gather that in Sheffield, as
in other places, the term Presbyterian was used simply as a
synonym with Dissenter.

INTRODUCTION. I3

It is sometimes said that the open trust of chapels like
our own, now in the hands of Unitarians, is a proof that they
were originally Presbyterian foundations. These trusts
impose upon the worshippers no special creed, or dodT:rinal
limitations of any kind. Upper Chapel was founded tor
"the worship and service of Almighty God," and nothing is
said of theological belief, because the founders were well
known to be orthodox, and toleration was conditioned by
subscription to the Articles of the Church. ' The founders
of Upper Chapel were Calvinistic in creed. It is contrary to
the well-known facts of the case, and to the spirit of the time,
to suppose that in leaving the trust open they were animated
by a far-seeing desire to place no hindrance to doctrinal
developments in the future. Least of all would the Presby-
terians be moved by such a desire, for they were the most
intolerant of all the Dissenters, calling toleration " the Great
Diana of the Independents." " We detest and abhor the
much endeavoured Toleration," said the Presbyterian
ministers of London in 1645. The Independents were far
more tolerant than the Presbyterians ; but neither did they,
when they left their trusts open, do it Avith a view to possible
theological changes. There are to-day more chapels that
were founded at the beginning of the eighteenth century with
open trusts among the Independents than among the
Unitarians.- For the most part they have remained more or
less orthodox, while among Unitarians doctrinal changes
have taken place. But in neither case was the trust left open
with the objecft of giving free play to theological speculation.
Nor is it at all likely that the founders left their trusts open
with a view to a possible return to the Established Church.
They were proud of their dissent : they had suffered for it.
They made provision for " the worship of God by Protestant
Dissenters" by erecfting their Meeting Houses; and for the
supply of dissenting pulpits by establishing their Academies.
The open trust was part of their dissent.

The founders of Upper Chapel, then, were Independents.
They had an Independent minister, and an Independent mode

1 See Sedion VII. of the Aft. Neal, V., appendix 13.
- The original Trust of Nether Chapel is "open," like our own.

14 UPPER CHAPEL.

of Church government. Their trust they left "open," in
common with many other dissenters of the time. The
theological change that has taken place has been made legal
by the relaxation of the terms of toleration, and by the
Dissenters' Chapels Act (1844), which made the relaxation
retrospective. '

<^i^^^^^

1 The Trinity Ad of 1813 legalised Unitarian dodrine ; the Ad of 1844
made this legalislation retrospedive.

PERIOD I.— 1662-1714.

CALVINISM.

T^HERE is no evil thing in this world that has not some
■^ good attaching to it. Cruel as the persecution was, it
led to the foundation of many Nonconformist Chapels which
have done good service to England, and have produced men
eminent for piety and public usefulness as well as eloquence
and learning.

For the movement which led subsequently to the building
of Upper Chapel we must go to the ejectment of the Rev.
James Fisher, Vicar of Sheffield from 1646 to 1662. Unfor-
tunately our information concerning hnn is very scanty.
There are no authentic records of his appointment as vicar ;
nor is anything known of the place of his birth and education.
Calamy tells us that in his younger days he had been minister
in London, "in conjunction with another minister who had
great multitudes to hear him, while Mr. Fisher had but very
few. Inquiring the reason of one of the parish, he was
answered, ' Sir, you do but preach the old humdrum docftrines
of faith and repentance, but the other preaches dispensation
truths.' This much affected him. He afterwards succeeded
worthy Mr. Towler (Thomas Toller, appointed vicar Feb.,
1597-8) and Mr. Bright (John Bright, M.A., succeeded Toller
2oth August, 1635) at Sheffield, and walked in their steps,
preaching usefully and living exemplarily." He further tells
us that Mr. Fisher "was congregational in his judgment, a
man of great piety and worth, an excellent preacher, and an
instrument of much good in this populous town." In 1640,
while living at Clipsham in Rutlandshire, he married, 7th
March, at Laughton, Elizabeth Hatfeild,' daughter of Ralph
Hatfeild (d. 1626), originally of Ecclesfield but afterwards of
Laughton-en-le-Morthen (seven miles south-east of Rother-
ham). Elizabeth was sister of Anthony Hatfeild, and so

1 The name is written Hatfeild in the Laughton register, and the family
have always so spelled it.

l6 UPPER CHAPEL.

aunt of Martba Hatfeild, of whom Mr. Fisher wrote a curious
book to be noticed further on. By this marriage Mr. Fisher
became related not only to the Hatfeild family, but also to
the Brights of Carbrook. Stephen Bright married Barbara,
Ralph Hatfeild's elder daughter. After the death of his first
wife (buried at Sheffield 20th May, 1655), Mr. Fisher married,
26th September, 1656, ]\Iary, daughter of Randolf Carleil, of
Sowerby, Yorks.

At the passing of the Act of Uniformity, Fisher felt
himself unable to take the prescribed oaths. He belonged to
the Independents, and it appears that he had been greatly
disturbed in mind by recent events, and shared the wild
visions of the Fifth Monarchy men ; for Henry Newcombe
(ejected Manchester ; founder of Cross Street Congregation)

says in his diary, 25th June, 1663, " told me the sad case

they are in about Sheffield, where Mr. Fisher designs separa-
tion, and courts all the apostates, and preaches up the Fifth
Monarchy."

A great number of Fisher's congregation seceded from the
Church when he was ejected, and, with him as minister, they
formed an Independent Church. His three assistants,
Edward Prime, Matthew Bloome, and Rowland Hancock,'
were ejected with him.

1 Edward riiine was assistant minister about eight years. Born Wheston,
near Tideswell ; educated Chesterfield Grammar School and Christ's Coll.,
Camb. Afterwards tutor in family of Thomas Westby, of Ravensfield, and
minister at Baslow. Elecfled by burgesses as assistant to Mr. Fisher in
1654. After ejectment settled in Sheffield, and preached a fortnightly
ledture there. Lived 45 years after ejecftment, dying April 26, 1708, aged
about 77. During the last ten years of his life he preached frequently at
Attercliffe. On July 31, 1689, the Register at Quarter Sessions under
Toleration Adl gives his name, as Penne and Peinne, for worship at his
own house. " He was very clear in the point of Nonconformity," says
Calamy, "and had much satisfadion about it." " He was a very solemn
observer of Bartholomew-day. The last sermon he preached upon that
occasion was in 1707, on Josh. xiv. 10, 'And now behold the Lord has kept
me alive these forty and five years' ! " His daughter Hephzibah (b. 1654,
d. 1735) married, first Christopher Richardson, and afterwards Robert
Fern.

Mattheiv Bloome, b. Brotherton, near Pontefraft. Educated Magd.
Coll., Camb. Eleded assistant, 1655. Afted also as curate at Attercliffe,

PERIOD I. — 1662-I714. 17

From this time to his death, January, 1665-6, he led a
very troubled existence. He continued the pastoral relation-
ship to his faithful flock, preaching in his own house, or in
their houses, as occasion permitted. But he appears to have

1653-1662. After ejedlment he eked out a living for himself and family as
a maltster, " but preached in private as he had opportunity." For licenses,
cf. p. 7, " He was a man of good parts, and an excellent preacher. He
was some time prisoner in York Castle. He died suddenly at Sir W.
Ellis's in Lincolnshire, April 13, 1686." (Calamy.)

Rowland Hancock, Vicar of Ecclesfield, which he relinquished 1660.
Under-master of the Free Writing School, Sheffield, i66r, in which
year (April 22) he was eleded assistant minister to James Fisher by the
burgesses. He lived at Shiercliffe Hall. There arose some doubt about
the legality of his eledion, but the discussion was brought to an end by the
Ad of Uniformity, and on August 24, 1662, he was ejeded. Obliged to
leave Sheffield, 1665 (Five Miles Ad) ; imprisoned in York, 166S (cf. O.
Hey wood's Diary, May 31, i668j ; returned to Sheffield, 1672, and obtained
a license to preach in his own house. He maintained also a weekly ledure
at Brookside, Bradfield. On July 28, 1676, he established, in conjundion
with Matthew Bloome, " a small church on the Independent model." The
following are the names of those who joined this communion : — Rowland
Hancock, Matthew Bloome, ministers. Mr. John Hatfield, Mrs. Antonina
Hatfield, Mrs. Hancock, Mrs. Jennet Bloome, Joseph Capper, Joseph
Nutt, Robert Hoole, tanner; Widow Hoole, William Hoole, cutler; Robert
Hoole, his brother ; William Wadsworth, Mary Wadsworth, William
Marsland, Mary Nicholson, widow ; Hannah Cox, Margaret Parkin,
Margaret Sharpe, John Oldale. In 1681 this arrangement came to an end.
Disagreements arose between the two ministers, and it was deemed best to
separate. Part of the worshippers followed Matthew Bloome to Attercliffe ;
part remained with Rowland Hancock. The quarrel arose when they
gathered funds from London and elsewhere to build a chapel midway
between Shiercliffe and Attercliffe. This was the "bone of contention,"
which, says Oliver Heywood, " that evil one, envying that unity and
successe, cast betwixt them;" for they had previously " joyned sweetly
togather in preaching the gospel as brethren." Bloome's friends took a
barn at Attercliffe, " making windows, doores, pulpit, seats, and all things
very convenient for a meeting-place, and a pretty place it is;" but Hancock
resented this adion, and would have nothing to do with the barn, " would
not own it or preach in it, but preacht at Addercliff in a private house at
the same time Mr. Bloom was preaching in his meeting place . . . thus
divisions and hart-burnings are grown amongst them." (Heywood's Diary,
Turner ii. 238-9). Hancock died 14th April, 1685, and his congregation
then, for the most part, attended Timothy Jollie's ministry. Calamy says
of Hancock, " He was a very pious man, of excellent natural abilities, and
tolerable learning, though he had not a university education."

l8 UPPER CHAPEL.

been constantly under suspicion, being " maliciously and
falsely accused, and forced to appear at the Sessions at
Rotherham, Doncaster, Wakefield, and Pontefract, and at
two Assizes at York, where he was several times afterwards
sent prisoner on false accusations, and once without any
reason or mittimus made him, by order of the Duke of York"
(afterwards James II.). "At one time one of his accusers
being perjured, ran away ; and the other, a drunken clergy-
man, did not appear ; so that Mr. Fisher was acquitted by
proclamation in open court. At another time a man of
Attercliffe, in York Castle, condemned for murdering his
wife, was offered a pardon and a sum of money if he would
swear treason against Mr. Fisher, but he refused, saying, 'that
he knew no such thing, nor any harm by him, and he would
be hanged before he would so forswear himself; and was
hanged for the murder. The last time he was in prison, he
was designed to be kept there during his life ; but the (second
Villiers) Duke of Buckingham coming to York, enquired into
the state of prisoners in the Castle ; and finding him and
some others confined there out of spite, he set them at
liberty." (Calamy ) Fisher had been wrongfully accused
(as was also Thomas Jollie, father of Timothy Jollie) of com-
plicity in the Farnley Wood plot, 1663. It was in this year
that we find in the accounts of the Constables of Sheffield
"charges about Mr. Fisher seekeing and carrying to Yorke,
£1 17s. 6d." The times were uneasy; the Government of
Charles II. suspicious. On the loth October, 1663, some
twenty persons met in Farnley Wood, near Leeds, under the
leadership of Thomas Gates, a schoolmaster, and his son
Ralph, a clergyman, with the object: of forming a league for
the reinstatement of the ejedled ministers, and the restoration
of Parliament. Information of the meeting was given by
a traitor to the authorities ; the men were arrested ; Ralph
Gates turned king's evidence, and implicated many others by
name, among them Mr. Fisher. There was no evidence of
his complicity and he was released ; but many were executed,
their heads being set up on the gates of York Castle.

In 1665 the Five-miles k€i drove Fisher finally from
Sheffield, one of his greatest troubles, among the many that

PERIOD I. 1662-I714. ig

afflicted him, being his forced separation from his beloved
flock. His health at this time was sadly impaired, by frequent
imprisonment and constant danger. During his imprisonment
he had been treated with rigour. His son was not allowed to
speak to him except through the window. Friends were
unable to see him. Writing materials were denied him. He
was treated as one under special suspicion. He was most
unfortunate, for apparently beyond the lying testimony of
Ralph Oates, there was nothing against him. He left prison
a dying man. He could not go home to Sheffield. The law
forbade it. He went to the house of Captain John Hatfeild,
his wife's relative, at Hatfield, near Doncaster. Here he
continued " four or five months in a languishing condition,
and then died, and was buried there in January, 1665-6."
(Calamy.)i

Fisher wrote a curious book, called " The Wise Virgin,"
being an account of his wife's niece, Martha Hatfeild, who,
when about twelve years old, was subject to a distressing
disease, probably of a hysterical nature, which rendered her
helpless for months together. Her body became rigid. She
could neither see, hear, nor feel anything. She could not
open her mouth, and only took liquid food in very small
quantities, which they poured through a gap left by a missing
tooth. At times when the paroxysms abated, though still
quite unconscious, she opened her lips and spoke words of
pious exhortation and religious reflec51ion, which astonished
all who heard her. Great numbers of friends came to her
bedside, and her speeches were carefully noted down. In
Fisher's book they vary in length from a few sentences to
several pages. Sometimes she lay for weeks without uttering
a word ; sometimes she spoke two or three times a day —
always in the same strain of earnest exhortation and reflec-

1 Hunter (Hallamshire, Gatty, p. 289) thinks Calamy mistaken in the
date of Fisher's death. He quotes O. Hey wood's Diary for 12th Nov.,
1666 : — ■" We went to Mr. Hatfeild's of Laighton to visit Mr. Fisher of
Sheffield, who lives there." But it is quite possible that the Mr. Fisher
here referred to is John Fisher, surgeon, James Fisher's eldest son. The
date 1665-6 appears to be corredt. But Calamy is certainly wrong in say-
that Fisher was buried at Hatfield. The Laughton register has " James
Fisher, minister, buried y^ 29 of Januari, 1666,"

20 UPPER CHAPEL.

tion. The speeches are made up very largely of sentences
the child had heard in the family devotions and in church.
There are many phrases in them clearly the echo of the
orthodox teaching of the day. Much of it the child herself
cannot have understood. Her speeches were all taken down
between 19th May and 21st November, 1652. When she
came to herself she was quite unconscious of having uttered
them.

Fisher regards them as miraculous, and sees in them
portents and warnings from God. The accompanying
" Portraiture of Mrs. Martha Hatfeild " is taken from an
engraving in the copy of this rare book in the British
Museum, dated 1664 (5th Ed.). The artist has not been
successful in pourtraying the tender years of this " childe of
wonders;" but the picture illustrates Fisher's words that
" Whereas you might rather apprehend " (from the small
quantity of food she took) "that she was a lean, dried, and
withered Anatomy," as a matter of fact " she grew very fat
and her flesh very firm and solid, and she did look very fair
and fresh." The book throws an interesting light upon the
superstitious credulity of the time. '

Fisher died in January, 1666. Where the congregation
met after his death is not known ; probably at each others'
houses, to hear secretly such ministers as visited Sheffield,
which, being a non-corporate town, was a safe refuge, except
for those driven from it by the Five Miles A6i. Richard
Taylor and Nathaniel Baxter are known to have resided here.
But for three years there was no settled minister. In 1669
Robert Durant, who had been ejected from Crowle, in
Lincolnshire, was invited on the recommendation of Thomas
Woolhouse, of Glapwell, near Bolsover, and preached his
inaugural sermon on November 17th of that year. Durant
was the son of a minister (John Durant ?) living near London.
While Vicar of Crowle he had endeared himself to his con-
gregation by his gentle and courteous manners, and his
devotion to his flock. After his ejedlment he retired to
Reedness on the Ouse, and preached in private until 1664.

' For a detailed account of this curious book, with some of Martha's
" speeches," see " Fisher's Wise Virgin, &c.," by the present writer.

PERIOD I. 1662-I714. 23

In that year, travelling to London with his friend John
Ryther (ejected from Ferry by), he was seized on the road,
and both were thrown into York Castle on suspicion, for no
charge was brought against them. It was in York Castle
that he met Woolhouse, also a prisoner for conscience' sake,
and well known as a supporter of the ejecfted ministers.
Durant was an earnest, religious man, an able preacher, a
devoted pastor. We are told that he and his congregation
fasted once a month. " His circumspection was such that
envy itself could not charge him with anything blameworthy.
He could never endure railing or backbiting, but exhorted all
to love Christian unity and forbearance." He was a man of
considerable culture, " skilled in languages, especially
French." He had travelled and " had seen many of the
American islands." " He had uncommon ability in writing
agreeable letters." When he settled with the Sheffield con-
gregation he told them they might give him what they pleased
as salary, but we are not told what they actually gave ; not
likely to be much, for Nonconformist ministers were very
badly paid.i The same year that he was elected John Barber
was appointed ruling elder, and Richard Paramour deacon.

Durant's ministry was fruitful in results. The congrega-
tion held together and increased. When the Indulgence of
1672 was issued he obtained a license for public worship in
the house of Dr. Fisher (son of James Fisher).- Here the
people met, thankful to be able to worship God without fear
of molestation. So steadily did the numbers increase that in
1678 they ventured to open the New Hall, at the bottom of
Snig Hill, which was the first Nonconformist place of worship
in Sheffield. It is probable that the New Hall was already
standing, and was now converted into a Meeting House.
Hunter tells us that George Saunderson, yeoman, of Midhope,
by his will, 1649, gave Francis his son a messuage called
the New Hall, and this appears to be the hall in Snig Hill.
The Brights of Carbrook were members of Durant's congre-
gation at this time, and contributed to the funds of the new

1 Matthew Sylvester (1637-1708), of Blackfriars Chapel, London, was
literally "passing rich on £^0 a year," though he had " a soaring genius, a
rich and copious fancy, and great depth of thought." '^ See p. 7.

24 UPPER CHAPEL.

Meeting House. Thomas Hollis, merchant, of London, was
also a large contributor. Within a month of the opening
Durant died (February 12th, 1678-9, aged 71),^ his loss being
much deplored by all who knew him. He was buried in the
Parish Churchyard.

The name of Thomas Hollis is associated in the annals
of Sheffield with HoUis's Hospital, still used as an almshouse,
but soon likely to be removed for city improvements. Thomas
Hollis, son of Thomas Hollis, whitesmith, of Rotherham, was
born in 1634 (baptised September 4). In 1648 he was
apprenticed cutler in Sheffield to his uncle Ramskar. The
only place of religious worship at this time was the Parish
Church, and young Hollis, who is said to have been a Baptist,
came under the influence of Fisher, and was converted to his
way of thinking. He left Sheffield for London in 1654, to
manage his uncle's cutlery business in the Minories. In 1658
he married Anne Thorner, whose brother Robert is dis-
tinguished as a benefactor of Harvard College. In London
Hollis worshipped at Pinner's Hall, and in 1678 he leased
the hall for the use of Nonconformists. Meanwhile he v/as
not forgetful of his Yorkshire religious home. He contributed,
as stated above, to the funds of the first Meeting House, and
when this became too small for the growing congregation and
a new chapel had to be built in 1700, he contributed largely
to the expense of the building, and also purchased the old
chapel and converted it into an almshouse. An inscription,
on what is probably a part of the original building, runs
thus :— " This hospital for sixteen poor aged inhabitants of
Sheffield, or within two miles round it, and school for fifty
children, were founded by Thomas Hollis, of London, cutler,
1703. And further endowed by his sons, Thomas Hollis,
1724, and John Hollis, 1726, and rebuilt more commodiously
by the Trustees, 1776."

Towards the end of his life Thomas Hollis became blind.
He died in 1718, aged 84.

1 This is Calamy's statement, which is probably corredt. O. Heywood,
however, says in his Diary, Feb. 1678-9, he has just heard of the death of
" Mr. Durant a congregational man, pastour of the Church at Sheffield,
aged 66." (Turner, iii. 259.)

PERIOD I. — 1662-1714. 27

After the death of Robert Durant it is very probable that
Richard Taylor ministered to the congregation, though he
does not appear to have been appointed pastor. He vvas
born at Sheffield, 17th INIay, 1636. He was admitted to
Magdalene College, Cambridge, as a sizar, 15th May, 1654, ^
matriculating at that college 8th July of the same year. On
the 4th December, 1656, he v/as elected a scholar on John
Smith's foundation. He graduated at Magdalene College,
B.A., 1657-8 (1658 according to our computation). After
leaving the University he became chaplain to Mrs. Dalton,
of Fulburn, near Cambridge, acting also as tutor to her sons,
and preaching occasionally in the neighbourhood. Later
he settled at Long Haughton, where he remained until
ejecfted by the Adl: of Uniformity in 1662. He then became
chaplain to Sir E. Rhodes, and after that to Mr. Wadsworth,
of Swath Hall, near Barnsley. Later on he came to
Sheffield, where he died in 1681. Calamy says "he was a
serious, zealous Christian, and a plain, laborious preacher.
God owned his ministry in these parts for the good of many."
He left a MS. entitled, "A Thankful Remembrance of some
remarkable A(5ls of the Lord's good Providence towards me
Richard Taylor."

One of the most distinguished names among the ministers
of Upper Chapel is that of Timothy Jollie, in whose
ministry the chapel was built. He came to Sheffield, aged
23, in 1679, on the invitation of the congregation worshipping
at the New Hall. He was not, however, ordained until April
28, 1681. It is possible that his settlement here was due to
Thomas HoUis, for he had attended the services at Girdler's
Hall, and had preached there, and so was probably well
acquainted with the Hollis family. He was born in 1656 at
Altham in Lancashire, where his father, Thomas Jollie (1629-
1703), a strong Independent, was ejecled from his living on

1 The following extradl is taken from the Magd. Register: —

"May 15, 1654. Richardus Taylour films Richardi Taylour de

Sheffield, annum agens 17m- e schola ibidem erecta [the Free Grammar

School] admissus est Sizator, Tutore Dno. Zanchy."

He was also under the tutorship of Mr Hill, who succeeded Mr.

Zanchy as tutor.

28 UPPER CHAPEL.

" Black Bartholomew's Day." After his ejecftment he was
frequently put in prison for holding conventicles. His son
Timothy (by a third wife — Thomas had four) inherited his
father's Independent principles. At 17, on August 27, 1673,
he entered Richard Frankland's Academy at Rathmell,
Yorks. He remained here until December, 1675, when he
went to study in London with the oh]e6l of entering the
ministry. He became a member of the Independent Church
meeting at Girdler's Hall, Basinghall Street, of which George
Griffith (ejecTied from Charter House) was the minister.
Before coming to Sheffield he appears to have preached for a
year under Griffith, and when he came he preached for a
year as " candidate " {i.e., licensed but not ordained).^ He
was a very young man for so important a charge ; but he
soon justified the congregation's choice. He had great
natural abilities, being an eloquent preacher and a devoted
pastor. Later on he showed also remarkable skill as a tutor,
among his pupils being several who afterwards became
distinguished. Oliver Heywood, who was present, and took
a prominent part in his ordination, has left a graphic descrip-
tion of the ceremony, by which we get a glimpse into the
religious life of Sheffield at the time. Moreover, as this
ordination was one of the earliest that took place among
Nonconformists, the narrative has especial interest as a
historical record. The following is an exadl reprint of the
memorandum made by Heywood, taken from his Diary
(Turner, ii. 199-201). Timothy JoUie was lodging at the
house of Abel Yates, a member of the congregation, and the
ordination took place there : —

" Upon April 25, 1681, we had a solemne and sweet day
of fasting and prayer at J. Baxters, in the close of it Mr.
Tho. Jolly came to my house (according to former appoint-
ment) lodged with me, the day after we rode to Sheffield upon
a solemne occasion wch was the setting apart of Mr. Timothy
Jolly chosen to be pastor of that church in Sheffield where
Mr. fisher and Mr. Durant were pastors before him : we took
up our lodgings in Abel Yates house, one of the members

'The Altham and Wymondhouses Church Book, 1681, says: — "Had
preacht a year in London, and a year at Sheffield as a candidate."

PERIOD I. — 1662-I714. 29

with wm Mr. T. Jolly tables,^ besides us two were Mr.
Hancock and Mr. Bloom called in for assistance, who came
on Wednesday morning early, we all consulted togather how
to carry on the work of that meeting, they unanimously chose
me moderator to manage that affair. I would have avoided
it but was compelled to it, the people came together about 10
a clock, I begun the work with prayer my god did graciously
assist in that duty about an hour, then we put young Mr.
Jolly on the work of preaching for a tryal of his gifts, he
preached on Isai. 59, 1.2, very satisfadlorily, we dismissed
the people, and then fell to our work of examining him,
wherein we spent about three houres, going through logick,
philosophy, languages, divinity, but (through an oversight)
he had no position in latin, however something was done
extempore by way of disputation — An infantes omnes bapti-
zatorum et si scandalizantium sint baptizandi,'- having
dispatched this work we parted near 6 a clock, appointed to
meet at the same place (viz at Abel Yates) at 7 in the
morning, and some kept that time. Besides Mr. T. Jolly we
were desired to take a test of the gifts of other two (viz Mr.
David Noble formerly schoolmaster at Morley my son's
master, now living with Mr. Woolhouse in Darbyshire, a
pious man, candidate for the ministry, another was one Robt
Dickinson a member and ruling Elder in that society, an
English schollar only, but a good man of rare parts, and hath
preacht above 10 yeares at seasons, and in his own house
beyond Doncaster, 18 miles from Sheffield,) the former of
these Mr Noble, prayed and preacht on Rom. 8. i. very
profitably but we wanted time (or rather light) with reference
to the latter, then Mr Hancock went to prayer and after him
Mr. Bloom, most of the members of that society being there,
only we were informed that two were dissatisfyed with that
examination by presbiters, thought it should be done by
ruling Elders in the name of the people, but no notice was
taken of that opinion or of them, so we went on with our
work, then I proceeded to propound such quaerys as are

^ i.e., boards and lodges.
2 " Whether all children of persons baptised, but irregular in their
conduit, should be baptised,"

30 UPPER CHAPEL.

prescribed, to wch he answered, and then his father was
willing to give him up to god by prayer in this office as he
had formerly given him up to god in Baptism, which he did
very pathetically, and after that he kneeling down upon his
knees we standing about him, god helped me to pray over
him in his actuall ordination by imposition of hands, and
there were considerable affections in all the people. After
that solemnity I proceeded to give this exhortation which
was grounded upon i Tim. 4.15. god helped in that work in
some good measure, so I concluded all with prayer, and their
Elder desired all that were not of that society to withdraw,
so most of the people scattered for there was a full assembly
with several young schollers, Mr Billingsly jun, Mr Kerby,
my son Eliezer, we all with drew for about half-an-hour, then
went into the chamber where first one read a letter from Mr
Griffith in London dismissing Mr Tim Jolly from their church
to Sheffield-people, then he spoke in the name of the people
their desires that he would accept of a pastorall office over
them, wch the rest signified their consent to by lifting up
their hands, and he assented, expressing his desires to serve
them in the gospel, then Mr Tho Jolly his father discoursed
of the relative dutys of pastours and people, wherein he
enumerated 30 or 40 apellations or titles given to Ministers in
Scripture, applying them distincftly all along very usefully,
when he had done that work his son concluded all with
prayer, indeed very sensibly and sweetly, so the whole
company was dismissed we having continued in the Lords
work from 8 a clock in the morning to 8 a clock at night
except about half an hours intermission betwixt 4 and 5.
There was more than ordinary mercys in this solemnity and
all the transacftion.

" I That this Church wch was always accounted inde-
pendent would admit of a pastour ordained by presbiters, yea
Mr Durant mimediatly before that was of another persuasion,
I look on this as an olive-branch of peace amongst gods
people.

" 2 there was no doubt or objecflion received in that affair,
as yong Mr Jolly observed no noyse of a hammer in that
building, he was glad Mr Ogle came not (tho invited) who is

PERIOD I. 1662-I714. 31

otherwise minded, 3'et by providence necessarily hindred,
living at Chesterfield.

" 3 Mr Hancock and Mr Bloom who have had an
unhappy clashing a considerable time, sweetly joyned in this
work without the least reflecTiion, yea wuth some humble
acknowledgmls of their folly, wch is a hopeful sign of recon-
ciliation.

" 4 Tho it was too wel known in town and parish and
country (for wch we had reason to challenge some for impru-
dence) yet there was no disturbance or affront, however, in
the middle of a considerable market town, and if no hurt
come of it we must ascribe it to gods providence not our
prudence.

" 5 it is a wonderful transcendent mercy that in such a
day as this is, god raiseth up out of private schools so many
yong men so wel furnished with learning, gifts, graces for his
work as a seminary for the Church to build up wast places of
zion.

" 6 God did not withdraw his gracious presence and
assistance from our soules, but did melt many hearts in
prayer. I hope some will remember it while they have a day
to live.

" 7 Many (I think all) the people were very well satisfyed,
several of them came to us the following day expressed their
gratitude and high resentment of that days work, and the young
man himself was abundantly incouraged, blessed for ever,
blessed be the Lord for his mercy thus far.

" We gave him an instrument in parchment under our
hands of what we have done for him, that 28 of April, 1681."

This extraift makes it clear that the engagement between
minister and congregation was made on Independent, not
Presbyterian lines. Doubtless there v,'ere Presbyterians in
the congregation, and Jollie, in order to satisfy their scruples,
invited " presbiters " to take part in his ordination. He
always manifested a desire to reconcile differences, and
invited both parties to Communion. Among Oliver Hey-
wood's warm praises of Jollie, he mentions (Diary, Turner,
iv., 164) that Jollie "entertains Mr Primes people to com-
munion and some of his members sit down with Mr Prime,

32 UPPER CHAPEL.

tho he be congregationall yet of an healing humble spirit —
blessed be god for him." Mr. Durant appears, from Hey-
wood's expression " of another persuasion," to have been
otherwise minded in this respecfl, though he, too, was " a
congregational man." The contracft between minister and
people was in accordance with Independent usage. The
"elder" caused the " presbiters " and all except Church
members to withdraw. A letter from Griffith, the Inde-
pendent minister, was read ; the elder then, in the name of the
congregation, asked Mr. Jollie if he would accept the pastoral
office, the congregation assenting by holding up their hands ;
and with the young minister's consent, the agreement
between pastor and congregation was completed. The two
sturdy Independents who raised an objecflion against the
ordination by "presbiters," and Mr. Ogle who, " tho invited,"
came not, being " by providence necessarily hindred,"
doubtless disapproved of the presence of " presbiters " at this
solemn service in a church " always accounted independent."
But the ordination, while reconciling the Presbyterians, did
not affedt the contract between minister and people.

It was a most happy union. Heywood, always in praise
of Jollie, says : — " Indeed, I perceive he is well accomplished
for his work, both for learning, parts, sweet temper, and
soundness in the faith, not drawn away with these odde
opinions, very orthodox of a moderate spirit, blessed be god
for him." • Jollie must have had reason also to be satisfied
with his people, for his father writes in his Note-Book (1680,
3rd mo.)'- " My younger son being called to Sheffeild, I went
thither and found cause to acknowledg the speciall providence
of god in bringing him among such a sober people in such a
well affecfled place, to such a numerous congregation though
he was very young, yet had I encouragement in him both as
to grace and gifts for soe great a work."

Jollie was a Calvinist, as his predecessors also were.
Those changes in theology which later mark the history of
Upper Chapel had not yet begun. But he was " of a mode-

• Oliver Heywood's " Remarkable Returns of Prayer.' Turner, iv., 164.
2 " The Note-Book of the Rev. Thomas Jolly," edited by Henry
Fishwick, F.S.A. Chetham Society's Publications, 1894, p. 42.

PERIOD I. — 1662-1714. 33

rate spirit," — tolerant, not bigoted ; of that type of mind which
would inevitably have progressed with the times.

All would have been well with the congregation and its
young minister but for the persecuting laws. Soon after his
settlement he married (2nd July, 1681) Elizabeth Fisher
(b. 15th April, 1647 ; d. 17th January, 1708-g), daughter of
James Fisher, and she proved an admirable help-meet. At
the time of their marriage he was 23, she 32. A woman
of deep piety and strong faith, she was a great support to him
in the troubles that were soon coming. Her letters to her
daughter which have been preserved indicate great strength
of charadler, founded in invincible trust in God. She wanted
all her faith, for bad times were again approaching. The
Indulgence of 1672 was regarded by all good Churchmen as
fatal to uniformity of faith. " Sir John Reresby, who took a
very active part in the opposition to Nonconformity in the
neighbourhood of Sheffield, says that it was never from that
time at all pracT:icable to prevent the formation of conventicles.
The attempt, however, was made, and in the latter years of
King Charles II. the permission was withdrawn, and the
gaols were again filled with the poor Nonconformists."' In
1682 Timothy Jollie was obliged to leave Sheffield to avoid
arrest. On venturing to return he was arrested under the
Five Miles Acft, brought before Sir John Reresby, who sent
him to prison in York without permitting him to take leave of
his wife. A fine of ;^2o was infli(5ted, and as Mrs. Jollie was
unable to pay it her goods were seized, and she was obliged
to seek refuge in her brother's house. She had recently been
confined. " So I sent thee," she says to her daughter, " to
thy dear uncle John Fisher's, and some hours after I was
forced to follow thee for harbour. Kind letters were re-
ceived from thy father, who met with many friends at York,
though he met hardships in the way. Many comfort-
able letters from him did I receive. The Lord made his
imprisonment very easy to him from what he did expecft it
would be. He had his liberty to go out into the city, only
that he must appear once in two days. In two months he
was set at liberty upon his bond to appear at the next
1 Hunter, " Hallamshire" (Gatty), p. 291.

34 UPPER CHAPEL.

sessions. He was at home one month when he went to the
sessions, where he met with hard usage; [he was required to
tal<e an oath of ' good behaviour,' i.e., to refrain from
preaching. This he refused, and so] from thence he was sent
to prison again for six months. But it pleased the Lord
wonderfully to support and help him to choose a prison rather
tlian defile his conscience. After he had been a little time I
went to him, and sent for thee and our maid, Hannah Gates,
and we continued at York till thy father was set at libert3\
I was mostly with thy father in the prison, and thou came
mostly every day from the room we had taken for thee and
our maid in the city. Thy father preached every Lord's Day
but one. Several prisoners came to hear him, and many of
the cit3^ In the latter end of our time it pleased the Lord to
afflidl: us. I was obliged to go out of the prison, and the
gaoler was very stridl:. He would not suffer thy dear father
to come to see me, and our maid was very ill, and also thy-
self. But we were all wonderfully provided for. Our rela-
tions and strangers showed us kindness. Thy dear father
was set at liberty before I was mended, Oc'T:ober ist, 1683.
On the loth day we came out of York, and came to Doncaster
in a coach that day, though but poorly. The next day, being
the nth, we all went to Hatfield. Thy uncle did very care-
fully send his coach for us, and there we were welcomely
entertained till the 24tli Ocftober. Then my uncle [Rev.
Alex. Hatfeild] sent us in his coach to Braithwell, and we
were very kmdly entertained by Cousin Bosville. The 28th,
my Cousin Hatfeild, of Laughton-le-Morthen, did send his
coach for us. It was a sore snow morning, but we got safe
to Laughton and found all well, and were kindly entertained.
November 2nd, we went from thence to Attercliffe. The
road was bad, but through mercy we got safe. Thy father
went into Lancashire till the 13th November, and then we
came to Mrs. Taylor's house and stayed with her six weeks,
when she let us her house, and went to table [i.e., into
lodgings]. The Lord stored up friends to help us on cheer-
fully and comfortably to the place of our desires, which was
Sheffield, where many helped and pitied us, and was much
concerned for us till we got a habitation, as mentioned above.

PERIOD I. 1662-I714. 35

But thy dear father was forced to wander up and down,
sometimes to one friend and sometimes to another, and now
and then we got a sight of him. But he was not suffered to
come to Sheffield without he came that none knew of it but
friends, for his enemies were so enraged against him that, if
they should find him, they would send him to prison. They
had a warrant, but it pleased the Lord to keep him out of
their sight. He went about preaching to friends, and I was
left at home alone. Soon after this he came home two or
three weeks, and we had precious opportunities for our souls'
good, notwithstanding the malice of our enemies. One of
them said that thy dear father should never come to Sheffield
again ; but our comfort is — God is above the Devil. "^

A trying experience for her ; but she makes no complaint.
She is convinced that all will come right in the end. Her
womanly fortitude is no less admirable than her fervent piety.

Thomas Jollie visited his son in prison in 1683, as did also
Oliver Hey wood. The former says in his Note Book, 1682 : —
" I would humbly bless God that I have a son not only a
professor and preacher, but a confessor of the truth and way
of the Gospell, that hee and his true yoke-fellow were helped
to carry it so christianly and comfortably, that they are soe
blessed as to bear the yoke and cross of christ in their youth."

Once more, in 1685, he was obliged to retire from Sheffield
to avoid arrest. But in February of that year Charles H.
died, and the policy of his successor led to a relaxation of the
persecution of Nonconformists. The Declaration of Indul-
gence was received by them with mixed feelings. They
could not approve the king's assumption of right to dispense
with England's laws; yet the relief it gave them was great.
Hence many, and among them the congregation at Snig Hill,
joined in an address of thanks to the king for his clemency.
It is a curious document, but it is a sign of the times. It
runs:- 1358094

" The humble Address of divers of your Majesties loyal
and dissenting subjecSfs in the town of Sheffield, and other
parts in the West riding ol the County • of York. Dread

1 For a further account of Mrs. Jollie's diary, see " A Good Puritan
Woman, &c,," by the present writer.

36 UPPER CHAPEL.

Sovereign, As we your Majesties loyal subjecfls cannot but
have our hearts most deeply affecfted with those signal divine
blessings of liberty, peace, and prosperity as well sacred as
civil, which under your Majestic we not only at present
enjoy, but are likewise assured shall be preserved to us during
your Majesties reign, especially when we eye them as fruits
of that most noble testimony first imprinted no doubt by the
finger of God upon your royal breast, and after most freely
and fully published to the view of the world in your Majesties
late declaration for liberty of conscience, as your constant
sense and opinion, which therefore we trust shall prove an
indelible principle, viz.. That conscience ought not to be
constrained, — so we cannot but, as in solemn duty bound,
prostrate our most sincere grateful acknowledgments of this
your princely bounty and goodness at your Majesties feet,
blessing from our hearts that great God by whom kings rule
and princes decree justice, for direcT:ing your royal Majestic
unto that truest method of government which leaves entire to
God his absolute sovereignty over the souls of men, which
undoubtedly will be the stability of your throne, render you
truly great in the esteem of all good men, who shall reap the
blessed fruits of your wisdom, justice, and moderation, and
may become a noble pattern for imitation. And praying
from our very souls that your Majestic, after a long and happy
reign over us, in pursuance of the same great ends of rule,
under the conducl; of divine grace and wisdom, may be fitted
and prepared for a crown that is incorruptible : — Who are
your Majesties most loyal and thankfuU subjecfts."

Reading what lies between the lines of this address, we
can enter into the feelings of the signatories. They were not
quite easy about the king's acftion, but were thankful for the
relief it gave them. This relief was legalised by the Acl; of
Toleration (1689).

Timothy Jollie was not only an eloquent preacher and
devoted pastor, he was a successful teacher also. From his
academy (called Christ's College, Attercliffe, by William
Bagshavv') he sent forth a large number of students, some of

1 See his letter " For the much respefted Mr. Fletcher, at Christ's
College in Attercliffe," printed in Gens Sylvestrina, pp. 127-g. The letter is

PERIOD I. 1662-I714. 37

whom later became distinguished. It was stated above that
he had been educated at Richard Frankland's Academy at
Rathmell. Frankland left Rathmell in 1674, settling at
Natland, near Kendal ; thence he went (1683) to Calton Hall,
Kirkby; thence (1684) to Dawson Fold, Westmoreland;
thence (1685) to Hart Barrow, near Caitmell Fell; thence
(1686) to Attercliffe, taking out a fifty-shilling dispensation
from the penalties of the AcT: of Uniformity. He remained at
Attercliffe until July, 1G89, when he returned once more to
Rathmell, on the death of his son.' Jollie was warmly
attached to his old master, and two years after Frankland
left he removed to Attercliffe Hall, and began the work of
educating young men, for which he proved himself so
eminently qualified. Between i6gi and 1700 he had sent out
forty ministers, and had twenty-six in training. One of his
pupils, Benjamin Grosvenor, D.D., says of him : — " He had a
charming voice, flowing and of a musical sound, a natural
eloquence ; his elocution and gesture were such as would
adorn an orator. The patiietic was sometimes heightened
with that divine enthusiasm which is peculiar to true devo-
tion, and he would make our hearts glow with a fervour
which he kindled in the breasts of those who endeavoured
all they could not to be moved by him. There have been
tutors of greater learning, who have been capable of laying
out a greater compass of education ; but, at the same time, it
must be acknowledged that tlie relish for practical religion,
that devotional spirit which was so improved by his example,
that sweetness of temper and benevolent turn of mind, which
a soul, of anything the same make, insensibly catches from
such an example, are things not everywhere to be met with,
and yet have such an influence towards our usefulness and
acceptance as ministers as cannot easily be supplied by any
other qualities." Curiously enough he prohibited mathe-
matical studies from his curriculum, '-as tending to scepticism
and impiety." But, on the principle that forbidden fruit is

dated Ford, Jan. loth, 1698-9. Mr. Fletcher, of Wirksworth, was then one
of JoUie's students.

1 We are told by Mrs. Timothy Jollie that this youth died of small-pox,
he being then just ready to enter the ministry.

38 UPPER CHAPEL.

sweetest, some of the students "by stealth made considerable
progress," and one, at least, Nicholas Saunderson, LL.D.,^
became distinguished (though blind) at Cambridge as mathe-
matical professor and numismatist. Among the pupils were
also Thomas Seeker, afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury
(1758-68) ; John Bowes, afterwards Lord Chancellor of
Ireland ; Dr. John Evans, minister of the New Broad Street
Chapel, London ; Samuel Price, assistant and afterwards
successor to Dr. Watts. Thomas Bradbury ("bold Bradbury,"
as Queen Anne called him), at first assistant to Thomas
Whitaker, of Leeds, and afterwards the distinguished minister
of Fetter Lane Chapel ; William Moult, of Mill Hill, Leeds ;
William Bagshaw, of Stannington ; Jeremiah Gill, of Ful-
wood ; and Dr. Samuel Wright, of Carter Lane, London,
were also his pupils.

Mrs. Jollie had the management of the domestic arrange-
ments at the academy, and she made an excellent house-
keeper. In her diary she tells us she had now the care of a
large family. Her duties were many and pressing. She says
she found great advantage in going to God every morning to
beg Him to help her through the business of the day. Her
services were much appreciated by the students. She was
" the choice mistress," as William Bagshaw calls her, who
presided over the academical household, satisfying the
students' appetites and providing for their comfort, while
her husband attended to their intellectual and spiritual
needs.

Meantime, not only was Timothy Jollie sending forth able
preachers of the Gospel, but he was also steadily increasing
his congregation at the New Hall. So large did it become
that the hall would not hold them, and it became necessary
to build a new chapel. A plot of ground was purchased
"betwixt the Pepper Alley and the Alsop Fields" (now
Norfolk Street), and a chapel was built, then called the New

' The Rev. Alex. Gordon says; — "Jollie's Academy drew a much finer
and more varied set of men than Frankland's. Till Daventry, inclusive,
the Independent Academies were almost always better than the Presby-
terian. Dixon's and Grove's are the two exceptions to the credit of the
latter."

PERIOD I. 1662-I714. 39

Chapel,' but subsequently the Upper Chapel. It soon had
the largest Nonconformist congregation in Yorkshire.- Pres-
byterians, Independents, Baptists worshipped here. Mothers
brought their infants from far and wide to be baptised by
Timothy Jollie.3 The New Chapel was the Nonconformist
local Zion.

Thomas Hollis was a large contributor to the funds, as
was also Field Sylvester. By indenture of lease and release,
dated respectively 24th and 25th November, 1704, " Feild
Sylvester conveyed unto and to the use of himself and of
Thomas Hollis junior, citizen and draper of London, and
eleven others, -* their heirs and assigns, all that great building
then lately erecfted for a meeting place for the service and
worship of Almighty God, situate in the town of Sheffield,
betwixt the Pepper Alley and the Alsop Fields there, with a
court before the said building, and the garden betwixt the
same from the said Pepper Alley and Alsop Fields, in trust
that the said great building [afterwards called the Upper
Chapel] should be used as a public Meeting House for the
worship and service of Almighty God, in such manner as the
said trustees, or the major part of them, their heirs and
assigns, should for ever thereafter order or appoint. "5 The
deed further provides that the trustees shall be " members
in communion," and that " the preaching minister of the
congregation" shall have a voice in the selection of trustees.
It provides also that if the said great building should be

1 In the Indentures of lease and release, nth and 12th February, 1729,
Upper Chapel is called " The Dissenters' Meeting commonly called the
New Chapel."

2 In 1715, after about 200 persons had withdrawn (to found Nether
Chapel), the congregation consisted of 1163 persons, 75 of whom were
freeholders of the County of York. (•' Hallamshire," Gatty, p. 293.)

3 Jollie's Register of Baptisms, May, 1681 — July, 1704 (a copy of which
is among the archives of Upper Chapel), shows an average of about 25 per
annum.

* Viz., John Browne, gentleman ; William Stead, mercer ; Samuel Shore
hardwareman ; William Burch and Jonathan Smith, cutlers ; Joseph and
Samuel Saunderson, tanners ; Benjamin Kirkby, Luke Winter, Joseph
Fletcher, cutlers; John Crooke, the younger, tallow-chandler, all of
Sheffield. s Abstradt of deed.

40 UPPER CHAPEL.

employed for any other purpose, or in any other way, than as
the said Thomas Hollis, Field Sylvester, and the rest, or the
major part of them, their heirs or assigns, should order or
appoint, then from henceforth it should return to the said
Field Sylvester, his heirs or assigns.'

The foundation stone was laid by Field Sylvester, and the
opening sermon was preached by Mr. Jollie from Gen xxvi.,
22, " And he removed from thence, and digged another well,
and for that they strove not : and he called the name of it
Rehoboth (room), and he said, For now the Lord hath made
room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land." The exacft
date of the opening is not known,

Timothy Jollie died on Easter Sunday, 28th March, 1714.
His son's diary states that he died of dropsy in the stomach.
He had been ailing for some time. His son says he " bore
His Afflidlion with true Xian Patience till March 28. Being
Easter Sunday He left ys world for a Better,"

During the last fourteen years of his life the cause
flourished ; the congregation increased ; he continued his
work at Christ's College, and with his assistants, Jeremiah
Gill, John Wadsworth, and John De la Rose, he continued to
preach at the New Chapel, His wife died 17th January,
1709. Her son says : — " My dear Mother after a long debar-
ment from ordinances by reason of her growing weakness and
infirmitie , . . continued till ye 17 (being Monday) when
about 6 in ye morning she would get up which was much
sooner than commonly she used to get up and no sooner had
they begun to dress her but she fainted away : giving up her
soul to ye giver of it, and that without either sigh or groan,
as she lived so she died ; her Funeral Sermon was preached
on Wednesday night by Mr. Bagshaw upon H Cor. 4. 17."
He says : — " tho ye stroke be severe, and ye bereavement a
great loss to me : yet what I have to be thankful for : that

' In February, 1729, a piece of land was purchased " formerly situate in
New Church Street, but now part of the cite of the new Town Hall,"
whereon a Minister's House was built. This land was purchased by the
Corporation in 18S0. At the same time the Trustees acquired from the
Corporation a plot of land fronting the newly formed New Surrey Street
(now Surrey Street), on which Channing Hall now stands.

Timothy Jollie.

PERIOD I. — 1662-1714. 43

ever I had so good so kind and carefull a mother, both in
Spirituals and temporals."

Timothy and Elizabeth Jollie had four children, two
daughters and two sons. The eldest was Elizabeth (b.
August, 1682 ; d. 17th November, 1739) ; the second Thomas
(d. an infant 26th April, 1685) ; the third Timothy (b. 22nd
August, 1691 ; d. 3rd August, 1757) ; the fourth Theodosia
(living in 1709).

When Timothy Jollie died his loss was keenly felt, not only
by his own congregation, but by the whole of Sheffield and
by many ministers in different parts of the country whom he
had trained. His funeral sermon was preached by John
De la Rose, his assistant, who gives us a vivid description of
him. *' As to the constitution of his body it was remarkably
strong, fine, and florid, and in the air of his countenance
there appeared a just temperature of admirable sweetness
and majesty ; his voice answered his countenance, and awed
or won all who heard it. His genius was masterly and
grand, elevated and curious ; and as to his natural temper,
it was serene, cheerful, active, open, and generous ; his com-
posedness of spirit, his mirth, his majesty, were all unafFecfted
and natural to him, and continued with him in a very con-
spicuous degree even to the very last. As to his capacity
and power, they were unquestionably great and extensive ;
and as Nature had moulded them and given them some
advantageous casts and touches, he appeared very much of
an original. I cannot omit what I have often thought and
spoken, and that is, that his quick apprehension, his amazing
invention, his dicT:ion, his elocution, and the vast but even
flow of his affecftions, together w^ith his uncommon presence
of mind and the agreeableness of his person, all conspired to
make him one of the most consummate orators of his age."

Unfortunately, not much of Jollie's work has been left.
He published a sermon on his father's death, and " Memoriae
Sacrum " on the life and characfter of Thomas Whitaker, of
Leeds. The latter is published in full in Mr. Giles Hester's
" Attercliffe as a Seat of Learning and Ministerial Education."'

^ I am indebted to this excellent publication for the above quotation
from De la Rose's sermon, the title of which is " A Sermon occasioned by

44 UPPER CHAPEL.

Timothy Jollie was buried in the chapel yard, and on his
tombstone the following inscription was placed, surmounted
with his arms, a sword between two keys ; on a chief, three
dexter hands' : —

CHR. SER. SA.

TIMOTHEUS JOLLIE,

VERBI DEI INTERPRES ELOQUENS

ET EVANGELICUS :

DOCTRINAE CHRISTIANAE FUNDAMENTA

JACIENDO, VIR PROPE DIVINUS,

VERE MAGNUS.

PHILOSOPHIAM, SACRAMQ. THEOLOGIAM

PROFESSUS,

JUVENTUTIS TUTOR FELIX PERITUS.

IN ECCLESIA CHRISTI SHEFFIELDIENSI

PER ANNOS XXXIII

PASTOREM AGEBAT VIGILEM FIDUMQ. :

IN COELUM MIGRAVIT

5 CALEND. APRILIS A.D. I714

AETATIS SUAE 56.^

CHRISTUS IN VITA, IN MORTE LUCRUM.

This may be translated : —

Sacred to Christ the Saviour.

TIMOTHY JOLLIE

an eloquent and evangelical interpreter

of the Word of God :

a man almost divine, and truly great

in laying the foundations of Christian docflrine.

He taught

the death of the Reverend Mr. Timothy Jollie, late Pastor of the Congre-
gational Church at Sheffield. By John De la Rose. London, 1715."

1 A grant of arms was made in 1648 by the Heralds' College to James
Jolly (grandfather of Timothy Jollie) of Manchester, who was Provost
Marshall General of the Parliamentary forces in Lancashire and Cheshire.

- The age here given is undoubtedly wrong. The Althani Church
record for 1656 (new style) has : — " Pastor's third wife died when his son
Timothy was born." [Thomas Jolly's Note-book by Fishwick, 1895, p.
129.] T. J. was consequently in his 58th year when he died.

PERIOD I. 1662-I714. 45

Philosophy and sacred Theology,
being a successful and skilful instructor of youth.
He was the watchful and faithful pastor
of the Church of Christ in Sheffield
for 33 years.
He departed this life
March 28th, a.d. 1714,
in the 56th year of his age.'
To live is Christ, and to die is gain.
This inscription has been reproduced on a marble tablet
and placed this year (igoo, the bicentennial of the building)
in the right niche over the choir stalls, and the following
commemorative notice is inscribed under it : — " The above is
a reproducftion of a time-worn inscription on the tomb of the
Rev. Timothy Jollie, during whose ministry this place of
worship was built ; and this tablet is erecTied by the congre-
gation of Upper Chapel, a.d. igoo, the bicentennial of the
building, as a memorial of his characfter and work. He was
a faithful minister of the Gospel, and he trained others tor
the same sacred office.''

The tombstone has been removed from the tomb in the
yard at the back of the chapel, and placed against the outside
wall of the organ-chamber, where it now stands. The recom-
mendation of the Bicentennial Committee to re-cut the
inscription on the tombstone itself was found to be impossible,
the stone being much worn by the weather.

Timothy Jollie had an elder brother Samuel, a medical
man, who had a practice in Attercliffe while Timothy was
living there. He was married but had no issue, and died in
1688 or i6go. He was buried in the Old Chapel, Attercliffe,
and his brother put an inscription on his tombstone. Hunter
gives it thus : —

Hie sitae sunt reliquiae Samuelis Jollie

nuper Attercliffiensis, medici.

Transiere patres, simul et nos transibimus omnes

Caeli patriam qui bene transit, habet.

Amoris et mortalitatis

Posuit hoc Mvrj/iida-vvov T.I. A.D. 1701.

1 See note on preceding page.

46 UPPER CHAPEL.

Hunter says that sixteen years before he wrote it was
nearly obHterated (it is completely obliterated now).^ It can
hardly have been in the form he gives it. The second and
third lines must have formed an elegiac couplet, thus : -
Transiere patres, simul et nos transimus omnes ;
Ca^lestem patriam, qui bene transit, habet.
The translation of the inscription thus emended is : —
Here lie the remains of
Samuel Jollie
late of Attercliffe, physician.
" Gone are our fathers before us, and all of us die in
like manner ;
He who hath safely passed on, findeth in heaven
a home."

This Memorial
of love and mortality
T [imothy] J [olliej placed here, a.d. 1701.
Tmiothy Jollie had for his assistant from i68g to 1697
Jeremiah Gill (b. 1669 ; d. 1709), a young man from Frank-
land's Academy, Attercliffe. He entered the academy at the
age of 17, loth January, 1686-7. We know him chiefly from
Thomas Whitaker's "Minutes" of his life and chara(51:er.2
Whitaker says, " he was the Son ot Religious Parents, who
were more concern'd for his Education, than for all their
Children besides ;" the reason being " the hopeful ProspecSt
he gave, even in those tender Years, of his future Worth and
Usefulness. For while he was yet a School-boy, he was
extremely addicted to his Book, very ambitious of being a
Scholar." " His darling Study was Divinity." After leaving

' The present writer visited the Old Attercliffe Chapel in iSgg. It is
falling to ruin. The roof is dilapidated, the windows are broken. The
rain drives into it ; the wind sweeps through it ; the mud is thick upon the
floor. Samuel Jollie's tombstone lies near the entrancs, but not a trace of
the inscription is visible. The burial ground round the chapel is in the
same state of utter negleft as the building itself. Over the doorway of the

1629 j chapel is an inscription giving the date of eredion, and the
TAHBi initials of the builders, viz., Thomas Arnalde and Henry Barber.

- " Some Minutes of the Life and Charader of Mr. Jeremiah Gill," con-
tained in " Sermons on several occasions by the late Reverend and Learned
Thomas Whitaker, A.M.," with a preface by Thomas Bradbury. London,
1712. I am indebted for the loan of this volume to the Rev. Giles Hester,

PERIOD I. 1662-I714. 47

the Academy (not later than i68g when Frankland left
x\ttercliffe) " his first more fixed Province was to be Assistant
to the Reverend Mr. Jollie at Sheffield, in whose Family he
liv'd with a great deal of Satisfacflion for several Years, and
with whom he serv'd, as a Son with his Father in the Gospel :
And with what Diligence, Prudence, Piety, Humility he
acquitted himself in the Post," many were willing to testify.
" And with what Acceptance he had in his Work, was
evident from their great Unwillingness to part with him, and
the mighty Concern they exprest at his going away." From
Sheffield he went, in 1697, to Hull, to undertake the pastorate
of the Chapel (afterwards Dagger Lane) at which Richard
Astley (ejected Blackrode) had been minister. In i6g8 the
new chapel was built, and Gill was ordained. He, like Jollie,
was an Independent. The congregation consisted of 113
members. " In this Candlestick," says Whitaker, " he was
a Shming and Burning Light for several Years." Whitaker
proceeds to speak of him appreciatively as a Scholar, as a
Christian, and as a Minister. " He was a noble Example of
real and undissembled Piety, and a shining Ornament to his
holy Profession ; And not many pass thro' the World with
fewer Blemishes upon their Charadler than he." Of his
pulpit work we are told, " He entertained not his People
with Trash or Froth, with raw Effusions or Empty Harangue:
But fed 'em with wholesom and edifying Truths, proper to
Minister Nourishment to the Souls of them that heard him."
" He was a mighty Man in Prayer." After some years of
useful work in Hull he was seized with a fever, from which
he ne\'er rallied. " A little before his Death, he was advised
to remove to York, in Hopes that Change of Air and
Physicians might be of some Service to him. But, alas ! the
vital Lamp of Life was too far exhausted ; and a little Time
discover'd that this was only a preparatory Step to his last
Remove. For notwithstanding all that could be done for him,
the Earthly Tabernacle moulder'd, and his Dissolution came
on apace; till at last he bowed his Head, and sweetly slept in
Jesus, Jan. 1709, aged 40 years." Thomas Bradbury speaks
of Gill as " my intimate Friend," and corroborates all that
Whitaker says in his praise.

48 UPPER CHAPEL.

Field ^or Feild) Sylvester was the son of Joshua
Sylvester of Mansfield, who married, 1646, Judith Field,
daughter of James Field of Thuinscoe, West Riding York-
shire. Their fifth child (they had ten), Field, was born nth
May, 1654, at Mansfield. The Sylvester family had a share
in founding three of our chapels -the Old Meeting House,
Mansfield ; Carter Lane, London (now Unity Church,
Islington) ;^ and Upper Chapel, Sheffield. Field Sylvester,
being intended for a commercial life, was bound apprentice
(nth May, 1670) to Thomas Hollis (founder of Hollis's
Hospital), wholesale cutler and draper, London, with whom
he remained eight years. He went as his "fa(ftor," or agent,
to London about 1678 ; but the engagement ended abruptly
soon after. We next find him with John Shepherd, of
London, with whom he remained about ten years. During
part of the time he was again "facftor " in Sheffield. On the
1 6th February, 1 680-1, he married Rebecca Capper, daughter
of a tanner at Neepsend, and had two daughters, Cassandra
(b. 23th April, 1683; died 7th May, 1684) and Rebecca
(b. 17th October, 1685 ; baptised by Timothy Jollie, 29th
January, 1686). Rebecca afterwards married John Wads-
worth, Timothy Jollie's successor. Field Sylvester became a

' Mattheiu Sylvester (1636-1708) went in 1667 from Mansfield to London
to become pastor of a congregation meeting at Rutland House, Charter
House Yard. He was assisted by Richard Baxter, 1687-1691. The con-
gregation moved, 1692, to a building in Meeting House Court, Knightrider
Street. Here Edmund Calamy, D.D., was Sylvester's assistant, 1692-5.
The congregation moved again to St. Anne's, 1721, and once more to Little
Carter Lane (opened 5th Dec, 1734). The last move was in 1862, when on
St. Bartholomew's Day Unity Chapel was opened at Islington. Matthew
Sylvester was the son of Robert Sylvester, mercer, of Southwell, Notts.,
where Matthew was born. Educated Southwell Grammar School ; then
St. John's Coll., Camb. (admitted 4th May, 1654). Made vicar of Great
Gonerby, Lincoln, 1659. Resigned 1662, and became chaplain to Sir John
Bright, and afterwards to Mr. John White, of Cotgreave, Notts. He
married (i) Hannah (family name unknown) in 1671. She died 12th April,
1701, aged 57. (2) A daughter of George Hughes, and sister of Obadiah
Hughes, D.D. She survived him, and married (1710) Samuel Wright,
D.D. (Jollie's pupil), and had one daughter. " Sylvester edited," says Mr.
Gordon, " as badly as a man could contrive to do it, Baxter's Reliquiae,
1696."

PERIOD I. — 1662-1714. 49

merchant, and prospered. He acquired an estate of his own,
in addition to holding a large tenancy under the Duke of
Norfolk. He was a strong Nonconformist, zealous and
aclive. He was not in Sheffield during the worst times of
the persecution consequent on the Acft of Uniformity, but
when the Meeting House at New Hall was opened, his name,
together with that of his cousin Francis Barlow, appears
prominently. He was appointed Trustee. When the New
Chapel (Upper Chapel) was built in 1700, Field Sylvester laid
the foundation stone, and contributed largely to the expense
of building; and in 1704, he and Joshua Bayes (Master
Cutler in 1679, and a prominent Nonconformist) conveyed it
and the ground on which it stands to the first body of
Trustees.^ Field Sylvester died of apoplexy at Hacken-
thorpe (near Beighton, North Derbyshire) loth May, 1717.
In his will he desires " to be buried, with as little charge as
may be, in a deep grave near the south-east corner of the
Meeting House by Pepper Alley, where I laid the first stone,
but not within the walls of the said building." The stone
covering his grave was subsequently put up against the wall,
close to where he was buried. It bears the following
inscription, which records also the death of his daughter
Rebecca, his grandson William, and his widow : — " Rebekah,
wife of John Wadsworth, daughter of Field and Rebekah
Sylvester, was buried here Jan. 12, a.d. 1735, aged 50 years.
Field Sylvester, son of Joshua and Judith Sylvester, of
Mansfield, born May nth, 1654; expired May 10, 1717.
' He y' Hath mercy on y'^ Poor, Happy is He.' Pro. xiv. 21.
William, son ot John Wadsworth and Rebekah his wife, dyed
Feb. ye 15th, 1723, aged 19 weeks. Rebeka, the widow of
Field Sylvester, died July y^ 28th, 1725, aged 75 years."

Among the muniments of Upper Chapel is an interesting
little document, a reduced facsimile of which is here repro-
duced. It is endorsed in a quaint hand, " A lisencs for the
new chapil." It dates from the year 1701, and is an order
for registration under the Toleration A6i (1689). The scribe
is mistaken in calling it a "lisencs." Licenses were taken

iSee p. 39.
D

50 UPPER CHAPEL.

out under the Indulgence, 1672 ; and hence Nonconformists
got into the habit of using the word. But under the
Toleration Adt they had a legal right to register their places
of worship, and this curious document is an order from
certain Justices of the Peace that the chapel lately built is,
from the 22nd July, 1701, registered for religious worship.
The law Latin is, like a doc5tor's prescription, as illegible as
the writer could make it ; but it may be written thus : —
"West Ridd. Com. Ebor.^Ad generales quartarias sessiones
pacis Domini Regis tentas apud Rotherham per adjournamen-
tum in et pro le West Ridd. Comitatus praedicfli vicesimo
secundo die Julij Anno regni Domini Willelmi tertii Dei
gratia nunc Regis Anglie &cdecimo tertio coram Honorabilibus
Thoma Wentworth Armigero, Johanne Bradshaw, Godfrido
Bosville, Samuele Mellish, Thoma Vincent, Roberto Moles-
worth, Johanne Bright Armigeris et Francisco Jessopp
Clerico [et] aliis Justiciariis pacis ibidem, &c.

" Itt is ordered that the new building in a Garden adjoyn-
ing to Pepper Ally in Sheffield be recorded as a place for
religious worship according [to] the A6i of Parliament intitled
an A(ft for exempting his Majesties Protestant subje(5ts
discenting from the Church of England from the penalties of
sundry laws.

" Per curiam

" Teste Shelton clerico pacis ibidem."

The Latin may be rendered thus : — " West Riding of the
County of York. — At the general quarter sessions of the peace
of our Lord the King, held at Rotherham by adjournment in
and for the West Riding of the aforesaid County, on the
twenty-second day of July in the thirteenth year of the reign
of our Lord King William, by God's grace now King of
England, &c., in the presence of the Honourable Thomas
Wentworth, Knight ; John Bradshaw, Godfrey Bosville,
Samuel Mellish, Tiiomas Vincent, Robert Molesworth, John
Bright, Knights, and Francis Jessopp, clerk (clergyman) (and)
other justices of the peace of the same place, &c.
" By order of the Court.
" Witness, Shelton, Clerk of the Peace of the same place."

r--"

^ rN

A- f.i K" vi' ' ^- ? '^-

* ► *i W ^ -■■' r \ V

fnj

PERIOD II. — 1714-1759.

This Clerk of the Peace is Theophilus Shelton, who was
also keeper of the register at Wakefield. He died at Notting-
ham in November, 1717. What the hieroglyphic is at the
beginning of the document, after " West Ridd. Com. Ebor,"
I have not been able to discover. Some think it is a P, for
paragraph ; some M, for memorandum. It looks like SS, and
may mean Sessiones.

PERIOD II.— 1714-1759.

MODIFIED ORTHODOXY.

A 1 TE now come to an important crisis in the history of the
Upper Chapel, brought about by the secession of a
large minority of the congregation, who founded Nether
Chapel. The period is also the turning point in the
theological teaching given from its pulpit — the change that
led from Calvinism, through semi-Arianism and Arianism, to
Unitarianism. Timothy Jollie was strictly "orthodox," as
was also his assistant, Jeremiah Gill. But he had two other
assistants, John Wadsworth and John De la Rose, the former
moderately orthodox, the latter ultra-orthodox. The careers
of these two men mark the parting of the ways between the
Calvinistic and the Unitarian history of the Upper Chapel.

JOHN Wadsworth (born 30th March, 1678 ; died 24th
May, 1745) was the grandson of William Wadsworth, a
"conveyancer" (died at Sheffield in 1652), whose son, of the
same name, lived at AttercUffe, and had been imprisoned in
York Castle for Nonconformity. John was educated under
Timothy Jollie at Atterchffe. He entered the College in
1694, ^^^ after a creditable academical course he preached at
Nottingham, Carburton, and elsewhere. In what year he
became assistant to Timothy Jollie, and how long he
remained in that capacity is not known. But in 1701 he
settled at Rotherham,' and there remained until the 22nd
0(5tober, 1714, when he entered upon the ministry at Upper
Chapel. In the meantime John De la Rose, son of a French
refugee, had been eledted assistant to Timothy Jollie. He
" was a preacher of showy eloquence, his style being formed
on the model of the French preachers. In his dodtrine it is

1 Minister of the Independent Chapel, the forerunner of The Church of
Our Father.

PERIOD II.— I714-I759. 55

supposed that he went to an extreme in orthodoxy, beyond
what was sancflioned by the opinions of almost all his brethren
in the dissenting ministry."' On the death of Timothy Jollie,
the question of his successor led to contention and hot debate.
One section of the congregation wished to appoint De la
Rose ; but the Trustees, supported by another secftion, wished
to have John Wadsworth. The latter were the stronger, and
appointed Wadsworth as minister. The other party held that
" there had been a deliberate, resolute setting aside the great
rights and privileges that Christ had purchased with his own
blood." But, as a matter of fact, the acftion of the Trustees
was, on this occasion, in perfe(5l accordance with the
conditions of their Trust Deed, which, without expressly
mentioning the appointment of minister, places the manage-
ment of the chapel absolutely in the hands of the Trustees.
About two hundred members withdrew, and at first fitted up
two houses for temporary worship, and then built a chapel,
which was finished in 1715, and called Nether Chapel. It
did not then face Norfolk Street (or rather Alsop Fields) as at
present, but looked towards Chapel Walk (hence the name of
that thoroughfare)- "The affair," says Miall, " excited an
immense sensation. It was the first instance, probably, of a
Nonconformist division, at least in the North. Both parties
appealed to their respecflive friends. Mr. Wadsworth wrote
to many ministers, among whom were Watts and Colton,
promising to publish their reply, which he never did. Young
Thomas Bradbury was his warm, not to say violent, adherent.
On the other hand, the seceding party made known their
grievance to the Congregational Church at Leeds, and Mr.
Moult and three members came to Sheffield to inquire into
the affair. Their judgment was that the elecftion of a pastor
by Trustees was an acl of " unexampled baseness," and they
exhorted the seceders to persevere. In this conclusion young
Timothy Jollie, then in the north of Yorkshire, agreed, as a

1 Hunter, " Gens Sylvestrina," p. 147.

2 The present Nether Chapel was built in 1828. The former chapel
became too small during the ministry of the Rev. Thomas Smith, M.A.
(1817-1852) ; and in consequence of a f:re the opportunity was taken to
ereft the present building.

56 UPPER CHAPEL.

letter of his to Moult shows, thouj:(h he afterwards became
assistant to Mr. Wadsworth. The seceding body was led by
Mr. Elias Wordsworth, a man of great piety and zeal. Mr.
De la Rose was elecfted to tlie pastoral office, and a day was
fixed for his ordination. On that day the Rev. Messrs. Jollie,
Hesketh, Allwood, Moult, Kirby, and others were present.
But some ministers whose services had been calculated on
never appeared. A strong letter was at the same time sent
by Mr. Wadsworth, of the Upper Chapel, entreating minis-
ters to warn and protest against the sinful separation which
was being perpetrated. Under these circumstances it was
judged wise to defer the ordination altogether for the present,
and to enter upon a solemn inquiry into the whole matter.
Accordingly, in the following month (November, 17 15) a
number of ministers met, and fully investigated all the fac5ts
of this important case. After hearing both sides, they pro-
nounced their judgment, "that the first breach arose from the
precipitant acfts of those who now adhere to Mr. Wadsworth,
and that those brethren that now adhere to Mr. John De la
Rose have a just and righteous cause ;" and they therefore
joined in ordaining Mr. De la Rose to the pastorship of
Nether Church. Unfortunately the signatures to this award
have not been preserved, and we only know from other
authority that at the ordination " Mr. Moult, of Leeds, asked
the usual questions, and gave the charge, and the Rev. T.
Jollie, jun., preached the following day."' Such was the
schism which separated the daughter from the mother church.
The Trustees of Upper Chapel had an undoubted right to acft
as they did, and their legal right had the support of the large
majority of the congregation (nearly twelve hundred, of whom
two hundred seceded). The cause at Nether Chapel has
evidenced its vigour and earnestness by becoming one of the
most important Congregational Churches in the town.-

1 Miall, " Congregationalism in Yorkshire," pp. 352-3.

- I am indebted to the courtesy of the Trustees of Nether Chapel,
through Mr. J. Wycliffe Wilson, for the following extrafts from the original
Trust Deed, dated 19th July, 1737 ; and from the later deed, dated 12th
March, 1S27. It will be seen that the early deed imposes no creed or
restridions of any kind as to religious beliefs. It is as "open" as our own.

PERIOD II. 1714-I759. 57

The secession caused division in families. Two important
families in Timothy Jollie's congregation were the Smiths and
the Fletchers. Mr. John Smith, who had married Rebecca
Fletcher (by descent a Sylvester), took the side of De la Rose,
and contributed largely to the erec5lion of Nether Chapel.
The Fletchers, on the other hand, sided with John Wads-
worth, and remained at Upper Chapel. Rebecca, however,
often went with her husband to hear Mr. De la Rose and his

The later deed, however, is strongly Calvinistic. Extradt from deed,
1737: — "In trust that the said building and premises with their appur-
enances shall be always used as a public meeting place for the worship
and service of Almighty God so long as the same shall be tolerated, or may
be so used in such manner, under such regulations and government from
time to tim.e as the said Trustees (named) or the survivors of them, and
such others as shall from time to time be chosen to succeed in their place
by virtue of the clause hereinafter in that behalf mentioned, or the major
part of them shall for ever hereafter from time to time direcfl and appoint ;
and when the said building may be no longer used for the purposes afore-
said, the further use thereof shall be in the power and subjed; to the like
diredtion and appointment of a majority of the trustees for the time being
for ever." But whereas the Upper Chapel Trust Deed says nothing about
the appointment of a minister, everything being in the hands of the
Trustees, the Nether Deed provides that the minister " shall be chosen by
the said trustees and the members of the said congregation in full com-
munion, or by a majority of voices of the said members and trustees."
Extradt from deed, 1827 : — "Upon trust that the said building or meeting
place or some enlarged or improved building or meeting place on the site
thereof or adjoining thereto shall at all times for ever hereafter be used as
and for a public meeting house for the service of Almighty God by that
Denomination of Protestant Dissenters commonly called Calvinistic
Independent Protestant Dissenters who believe in and maintain the
dodrines of the Gospel commonly called Calvinistic as contained in the
articles of faith compiled by the reverend Assembly of Divines convened
for that purpose at Westminster in the year of our Lord one thousand six
hundred and forty three and such of the dodlrinal articles of the Church of
England as are specified in the Adt of Toleration passed in the first year of
the reign of King William and Queen Mary and were usually subscribed
by dissenting ministers of the Independent denomination and which said
articles respedtively are deemed conformable with the sacred and inspired
writings commonly called the Old and New Testament the only infallible
rule for the Christian Faith and Pradtice." The deed further provides
that when there is a vacancy in the ministry, " a new minister shall be
chosen by the members of the said congregation for the time being in full
communion or by the major part of them male and female."

58 UPPER CHAPEL.

successor, Mr. Kelsall. She and her husband befriended Mr.
Kelsall when he began to have trouble with his congregation.
When Mr. Kelsall left, Mr. Smith thought of going back to
Upper Chapel, fearing that he had made a mistake. He did
not, however, return, but remained at Nether Chapel for the
rest of his life. He and his wife were both buried in the
Nether Chapel yard.

Mr. De la Rose died 31st December, 1723. He too was
buried in the Nether Chapel yard. He appears to have been
a popular preacher, but Miall tells us " he was wretchedly
sustained by the contributions of his people, a fault for which
Sheffield was remarkable about that time." His funeral
sermon was preached by Richard Bateson, minister of the
Castle Gate Independent Chapel, Nottingham, from Phil,
i. 21.

There can be no doubt that the extreme High Calvinism
of De la Rose was offensive to the majority of the worshippers
at Upper Cha'pel at the time of the secession, though this was
not the prime cause of the secession. He held views identical
with his brother, the Rev. Samuel De la Rose, minister of the
Tabernacle Chapel, Stockport,' who was censured by the
neighbouring ministers for a sermon, which, said his censors,
" containeth such dodlrine as we apprehend we cannot safely
preach to the people committed to our care." The sermon,
from I Cor. xv. 22,- was preached 27th July, 1718, and again
(on account of the dissatisfa(5\ion it created) on the 12th
February, 1721, when it was printed, entitled, " A Brief
Account ot the Two Covenants." In it he tried to show that
the new covenant was not made between God and man, by
the mediation of Christ, but between the Father and the Son ;
hence Christ, and he only, fulfils the covenant, and all he
does for the elecl; is imputed to them as done by them, neither
faith nor repentance having "anything to do in the business
of our justification." These ideas were derived from the
teachmg of Tobias Crisp, D.D., and were called Anti-
nomianism. De la Rose's views on original sin may be seen

1 He succeeded the Rev. Richard Milne, 1718. Both John De la Rose
and his brother Samuel were educated under Dixon at Whitehaven.

2 " For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive."

PERIOD II. 1714-1759. 59

from the following extract: : — " It is our duty to be deeply
sensible of the sin of our natures, and greatly humbled for it.
That guilt which is upon us, considered as in our first head,
Adam, would sink every soul of us out of the reach of mercy,
though we had never committed any other sin all the days of
our lives. Christ's blood is as absolutely necessary for the
pardon of our oyiginal sin, as for the pardon of the most daring
and flagitious actual sins we can commit." The printed edition
of this sermon appeared with a preface by John De la Rose, of
Sheffield, explaining the circumstances under which it was
written by his brother, and expressing complete agreement
with it. The sermon was the cause of a separation in the
Tabernacle Chapel, which was a curious reversal of the
separation in Upper Chapel. Its teaching was vigorously
attacked by Mr. James Clegg, M.D., minister at Chinley, as
being Antinomian, and calculated to do mischief. Censure
was passed on De la Rose 28th January, 1 720-1. In the same
year, 15th November, certain members of the congregation
requested him to retire, to which he replied urging them "to
give themselves unto prayer, and seek the Lord earnestly
that they might not acT: unbecoming of the holy and peaceable
Jesus whom they profess to follow." The result was that the
dissentients withdrew, and erected a chapel in High Street,^
which was taken down in 1864, and another was built in St.
Peter's Gate — the present handsome Unitarian Chapel. So
that whereas in Sheffield the supporters of John De la Rose
seceded, and founded a Calvinistic Chapel, in Stockport the
supporters of his brother Samuel remained with him, and the
dissentients withdrew and founded what afterwards became a
Unitarian Chapel.'

Mr. Wadsworth remained in the pastorate of Upper
Chapel for thirty years, until failing health compelled him to
resign in 1744. He died the following year. In addition to
his duties as pastor, he continued the work of Timothy Jollie
in the Academy at Attercliffe. But after the death of Jollie

1 The first minister at High Street was James Hardy, ordained 1723.
Clegg was one of the ministers who officiated at his ordination.

^ A full account of the De la Rose controversy in Stockport is given in
Urwick's " Nonconformity in Cheshire," pp. 293-9.

6o UPPER CHAPEL.

we hear little of the Academy. Whether it be that Wads-
worth had not the gifts of his predecessor, or that he simply
ceased to desire to carry it on, the former vigour of this
training school of so many excellent men for the Noncon-
formist ministry died out, and Christ's College ceased to be.
The hall itself has disappeared, its very site being now
covered with smoke-begrimed bricks and mortar.

John Wadsworth married Rebecca, daughter of Field and
Rebecca Sylvester, 21st March, 1714-15. Close beside the
stone in the chapel yard commemorating her death there is
another (also ereifted by the wall) on which the inscription
runs : — " To the memory of the Rev. John Wadsworth, who
above 30 years presided as a minister among y^ Protestant
Dissenters in this Town, with singular wisdom, and candor,
and as a Tutor with reputation and success. He died May
24, 1745, aged 67. His only son y^ Rev. Field Sylvester
Wadsworth died 06i. 8th, 1759, aged 42, and on the nth was
interred with William his 3rd son aged 4 years."

During his pastorate John Wadsworth had four assistants,
Timothy Jollie, jun., 1715-1720 ; Daniel Clark, 1720-1724;
Benjamin Roberts, 1724-1740; and his son, Field Sylvester
Wadsworth, 1740-1758.

Timothy Jollie, jun., was born 22nd August, 1691, at
Attercliffe,^ baptised by his father ist September, and died
3rd August, 1757, in the 66th year of his age. He was
educated at Attercliffe by his father, being probably contem-
porary at the Academy with Nicholas Saunderson and John
Bowes. His mother's diary tells us many particulars of his
infant days, his many ailments, e.g. teething (he had his first
tooth when he wanted " 5 weeks of a year," and at two years
he had them all, which she thinks is a "mercey worth takeing

1 Fishwick, " Thomas Jolly's Note Book," introdudlion, appears to
think it probable that he was born at Altham. Timothy Jollie, sen., was
assisting his father at Wymondhouses in July, 1691, and Thomas Jollie
enters in his Note Book in August : — " My weakly daughter safely
delivered, the lord adding to me another grandson ; her sparing is a
publique mercy considering my son's circumstances." The supposition is
that Timothy Jollie's wife was with him at the time. On the other hand,
the entry in his Register of Baptisms, under the date ist September, 1691,
of the baptism in Sheffield, appears to be decisive.

PERIOD 11. — 1714-1759. 61

noetis of"); at three years and four months he had the
"mazills," and soon after that an illness which "we did think
would have proved the Small Pox but it proved them
y^ (they) call the Hen Pox, they came thick out and was gon
again in a few dayes ;" for " the lord was very gracious" to
her " Deare Timi." He had also what they at first thought
" to be an Ague, and y" (then) we thought y^ wormes did caus
thy illness." Then she recounts the accidents that attended
the infancy of her precious child. One day, 2nd November,
1695, "thou was bissi about the fire and it got hold of thy
appron, and burnt a great part of it presently befor
we got to thee." However, he was not hurt, which
"blesed be God we look upon as a great mercey and
more when I think how many have bein spoyled with the
fire." So when he was seven years old, he "was delivered
from the dainger of a scald, y^'' (there) was a Pan of Hot
water set into which y" (thou) fell side way soe thy arme and
Leg was a little scalded, but blesed be God thy face did get
noe hurt admire the good providence y' ordered it so mercy-
fully y' thou got soe little Hurt study w' (what) to render
to the lord for his presarving and healing mercyes." He
appears to have been a somewhat delicate child, and accord-
ing to his own Diary was constantly ailing as a man. His
fond mother tells us, "When thou was 4 years and about 5
months old y" went to Shefeild (they were living then at
Attercliffe) to lairn to read better. I confess I was conceirned
thoe it was soe little away of becaus thee was soe youn(g) and
was soe unwiling I should leave thee, thy tears had like to
have bein to hard for me but I did indeviour to denie my self
for thy good." At eight years and a half he had "a breaking
out in the head." " The humer gaithered into one side of
thy head and proved a boyle which was soe big y" cold not
hold thy head straight." Meantime also his "eyies" had
been very bad. We are told that 8th May, 1700, he went
" into Lantishire to se thy Dear Gran Father Jollie ;" later
to Laughton and Bullhouse, and "twise to Glapwell ;" and in
all these formidable " Jurneyes " he was " presarved in thy
goeing." At thirteen he was sent to " Mr. Matthewes,"
before which, 20th September, 1704, " we did get some

62 UPPER CHAPEL.

friends to helpt us to Lift up our hands in Prayer for diredlion
and protecftion and for a blesing upon this our disposing of
thee, and thy Dear Father spoke something from the i Chron.
28, g. I desir my Dear Child thou may often Read and
meditate of this text." The boy appears to have been better
in heahh away from home. Who Mr. Matthewes was, and
where he hved, I have not been able to discover.'

The Diary is continued by her son, for he is "bound in
gratitude and duty, yea also in respedl: of the advantagious-
ness of such a performance" to himself. We have fairly full
particulars of his life, though unfortunately in places where
we want special information he is silent. Writing on 7th
Ocftober, 1707 (he was then sixteen), he says: — " I began to
learn school learning with Mr. John Wadsworth, I hope not
to my disadvantages tho I confess I might have made a
better improvement." He constantly complains of being "a
little out of order," " indisposed," " I was ill"; also of being
"vain and indolent," " averse to y^ work my Father designed
me for and upon low considerations." There is a tone of
morbidness about his diary, such as might be expected from
a man not in good health, and hence indolent and self-
introspective. He appears to have been very poor also, and
having a large family of rather sickly children, he found it at
times very difficult to make ends meet. But he never wavers
in his submission to God's will, nor in thankfulness for such
mercies as he receives. In 1707 he left John Wadsworth,
having been a year with him, and began to read with his
father ; but he says, " at first I was not a little discouraged
but afterwards I grew a little more Couragious, but then I
grew vain and so apt to Droll upon y^ Scriptures, also
ye Devil set upon me with filthy thoughts, and I was very idle
too did not mind my business as I out (ought) to have done ;
but y^ name of y^ Lord be praised y' he made me senseable
of my condition — a little." In 171 1 he went to London, and

1 For a further account of this delightful diary, and its continuation by
her son, see "A good Puritan Woman," by the present writer. The
difference in the spelling in these extradts from those on pp. 33-5 is due to
the fad that these are taken from an autograph, while the autograph of
those is lost,

PERIOD II. — 1714-1759. 63

there remained until 171 2. He was then, he tells us, " full of
convicftions. Covenanted to be y^ Lord's. Join'd myself to
ye Church of Sheffield. A disorderly walker Humbled but
little for it; not careful enough to improve time." In 1714
he began (February) " to Preach at Staninton." This year
his father died, and in August "John Wadsworth received His
call to ye Pastoral charge. I was also chose Assistant."
And on 19th OcTiober, " I was marry'd to my Dear and long
belov'd Mrs. Simmons."^ In December, "I was choose with
Jonathan Smith to ye Place of Elder." On ist May, 1715,
" I took y^ House in Westbar." He chronicles conscien-
tiously the birth of all his children, and tells us who baptised
them. His eldest son Timothy appears to have given him
trouble, and went to sea. He died at Rhode Island, 1738
or 9 (?) His other children were Ruth, Nevil, Thomas, John,
and Samuel, who all died young. His daughter Elizabeth
(born ist June, 1723 ; died i6th June, 1771) was married (21st
January, 1755) to Thomas Bridges, of Sheffield. ^ His son
Philip, the sixth child, of whom he always speaks with great
affecftion, became a student for the ministry, and died
suddenly 26th February, 1748, aged 21 (born i6th May, 1727).
In 1719-20 Mr. Jollie received a call from London to become
assistant to Matthew Clarke, minister of the dissenting chapel
in Miles Lane, Cannon Street ; and after a ministry of five
years at Upper Chapel, he bade farewell to the congregation,
assigning as one reason for leaving, "a prevailmg Indolency
of temper I found encreasing upon Me, from y^ way of living
there." He also says, " Y^ management of Pretended friends
helpt to wean my Affe(5tions." Then we have such entries in
his diarj' as, ist January, 1721, " Was chosen to Mr. Braggs
lecture ;" April, "Was called to assist at y« Lecflure in Gravil
Lane." They lived first at " Peters Hill," then in the
" Wansor-field," then in " Goodmansfields." Here "our
cares encreased. Res angusta Domi. Perplexity inex-
pressible. No way of relief apparent." On March 27th,
1726, Mr. Clarke died, and " after many warm Debates within
Doors and very unwarrantable Pracftices without the Church

1 Daughter of Nevill Simmons, bookseller. See p. 67.
^ She continues the diary after her father's death.

64 UPPER CHAPEL.

by ballotting the Lot fell upon me by a considerable
Majority." He succeeded as sole pastor, holding the office
till his death. In April, 1727, his sister Elizabeth Jollie came
to live with them, and remained with them until she died
(17th November, 1739 ; buried 23rd, in Bunhill Fields).
Towards the end of his life he was frequently disabled by
gout from preaching. His infirmities grew, and troubles
increased. He speaks of " discouragements, and distrustful
fears," "return of indisposition very frequent;" but through
it all there is the same cheerful submission. " It is te will,"
he says at the end of his diary, " of tt (that) God who is always
mindful of his Covenant. All his proceedings are consistent
with it." He died at a house in Clement's Lane, 3rd August
1757, in his 66th year. Dr. David Jennings preached his
funeral sermon. Mr. Hester points out that he is associated
with Dr. Watts and Dr. D. Jennings and other ministers,
who signed a certificate of characfter for Thomas Milway, who
was ordained for the ministry at Haverhill, Suffolk, 8th
December, 1737. The certificate is dated " London, Tues-
day, Jan. 9th, 1732-3."' Mrs. Jollie (born 3rd December,
i6go) died 9th December, 1761, in her 71st year. She was
buried, December 13th, in Nether Chapel yard.

When Timothy Jollie left Sheffield he was succeeded by
Daniel Clark, who then became assistant to Mr. Wadsworth.
Clark was minister to the dissenting congregation at Atter-
cliffe founded by Matthew Bloome. This cause had gradually
diminished in numbers, many being in the habit of going
to Sheffield to attend the services of Timothy Jollie, sen., and
by degrees the two societies became pradtically one. Hence
it was not remarkable that Daniel Clark should be elected
assistant to Mr. Wadsworth, though he still continued to
reside at Attercliffe. He was great-grandson (through his
mother) of Samuel Clark the martyrologist, and grandson
(through his father) of Daniel Clark, vicar of Kirk Beeston,
Yorks. He was brother of Samuel Clark, D.D., of the
" Scripture Promises," the patron of Doddridge. " He
married," says Hunter, " Mrs. Bagshaw of Hucklow, the

1 Hester's Attercliffe, pp. 30 and 58.

PERIOD II. — 1714-1759. 65

widow of Mr. William Bagshaw of that place, and the
daughter of Mr. Dunn of Attercliffe. She and her son by
Mr. Bagshaw are both interred in a vault in the Upper
Chapel."' After niarrjing Mrs. Bagshaw he lived at Great
Hucklow, and in 1717 he was chosen stated assistant to
John Ashe, minister of Ashford, Derbyshire. He died nth
November, 1724.

He was succeeded by Benjamin Roberts, whose minis-
trations proved acceptable for sixteen years, from the time of
his appointment in 1724 to his death in 1740.

And now Field Sylvester Wadswortii was invited to
assist his father, who was at this time in his 63rd year. The
son was 23, having been born 15th August, 1717. His
elec'lion is an indication of the change which was gradually
and almost imperceptibly taking place in the theological
opinions of the congregation. The beginning of the eighteenth
century was a time of considerable ferment in theological
speculation. The Deistical controversy was at its height.
The works of Toland, Shaftesbury, Tindal, Woolston, were
fresh in people's reading ; as were also the works of Stephen
Nye, Richardson, Balguy, Chandler, in reply to them. But
the most important work in the controversy was Dr. Samuel
Clarke's " Demonstration of the Being and Attributes of God "
(Boyle Lectures, 1705-6), followed by "The Scripture
Doclrine of the Trinity" (1712), in which he denied that the
Athanasian doctrine was contained in Scripture or held by
the early Christian Church. This latter work made a great
sensation, and was followed by a long and violent contro-
versy, which exposed Clarke to a charge of Arianism. He
was undoubtedly Semi-Arian.- Meantime Bidle, Firmin,
Emlyn, Freke, Hedworth, William Manning,3 and others had
been teaching Unitarianism, and even Milton and Sir Isaac
Newton were heretical on the question of the Trinity. It
was inevitable that the questions thus brought prominently
into notice should be discussed with vigour by the thoughtful

^ Hallamshire, p. 296.

2 He represented the opinions of many in the Church. He was at the
time Redtor of St. James's, Westminster.

8 A Congregationalist ej. Middleton, Suffolk, d. 1711.

66 UPPER CHAPEL.

and intelligent young men in the dissenting Academies
throughout the kingdom ; and the opinions of Dr. Samuel
Clarke produced a profound impression even in places where
no suspicion of heterodoxy had hitherto arisen. Thus it was
that at Dr. Doddridge's Academy at Northampton the quiet
atmosphere of Evangelical orthodoxy began to be disturbed
with breezes of heterodox controversy, and many of the
students there came out of the Academy with ideas strongly
Arian. There was no lack of encouragement for them, for
many of the clergy and more of the Nonconformist ministers
were openly Arian in their teaching. The new teaching met
with fruitful soil in the mind of Field Sylvester Wadsworth.
Hunter tells us that his father had sent him in 1735 to
Doddridge's Academy, intending him for the ministry. He was
then eighteen years of age. But he had been there only two
years when he was requested to leave, since he declared he
could no longer profess belief in the docftrine of the Trinity,
or of the Atonement as commonly taught. He accordingly
withdrew, and finished his education at the Academy (after-
wards called the Hoxton Academy) in London at the head of
which was Mr. John Eames, F.R.S.,^ a scholar of consider-
able attainments, friend of Sir Isaac Newton. Hunter is,
however, mistaken in the order of events. Wadsworth
entered Doddridge's Academy in 1737, not in 1735. It is most
probable, therefore, that he had been to Mr. Eames before he
came under Doddridge's care. After finishing his academical
course, young Wadsworth began, in December, 1737, at the
age of twenty, to preach at Kibworth, in Leicestershire, and
on the 23rd April, 1738, he settled there as minister. On the
death of Benjamin Roberts, in 1740, he returned to Sheffield,
and became assistant to his father at Upper Chapel. This
settlement, which appears to have been made with the
consent of the congregation, is a striking proof of the changed
attitude of the congregation in theological matters. It was
well known that Field Sylvester Wadsworth was Arian in
belief. His father was only moderately orthodox, but the son
was what was then regarded as distincftly heterodox. Yet the

1 Eames was an Independent, the only layman who ever held (1734-44)
the theological chair in a Nonconformist Academy.

PERIOD II. 1714-1759. 67

congregation welcomed him, and after the elder Wadsworth's
death they invited him to acT: as assistant also to his
successor, Thomas Haynes, who was likewise heterodox, it
being well known that he had no belief in the doc1:rine of the
Trinity or the Atonement. Hence, with the settlement ot
Wadsworth, junior, or, more especially, with the appointment
of Thomas Haynes, we come to a clearly marked turning
point in the history of Upper Chapel.

On the death of Thomas Haynes in 1758, there was some
disturbance in the congregation, and Wadsworth did not
press his claim to succeed him as pastor. He withdrew ;
and in the following year he died (8th Oclober, 1759). He
was an excellent preacher, and was held in much esteem in
the town. He married Elizabeth Horsfield, and left her
surviving with two sons — John, aged eleven, afterwards a
medical man, and Sylvester, aged seven, afterwards an
attorney.

One more name must be mentioned as belonging to this
period, that of Nevill Simmons, bookseller and publisher, of
Sheffield. It is not certainly known whether Simmons was a
Churchman or a Dissenter. His wife Ruth was buried m
the Parish Church, 25th December, 1707, aged 41. She left
four sons and five daughters, as we are informed by the
inscription on a brass plate in the church. But as Timothy
Jollie's register records the baptism by him of seven of these
children,' the probability is that he was a Nonconformist.
This probability is strengthened by the facl that most of his
known publications are treatises and sermons by Noncon-
formist ministers. It is more than probable, therefore, that
he attended Mr. Jollie's ministrations at the only Noncon-
formist place of worship in the town. He appears to have
come from London to Sheffield in 1692, and we first find him

1 Thomas, b. 25th Sept., 1688, bap. loth Oct., d. 15th June, 1749-
Mary, b. 3rd Dec, 1690, bap. nth Dec, d. 9th Dec, 1761 ; Nevill, b. 22nd
Dec, 1691, bap. i6th Jan., 1692, d. nth June, 1730 ; William, b. ist Jan ,
1694, bap. i6th Jan., still living 1707; Ruth, bap. ist Mar., 1696; Eliza-
beth, b. i8th Jan., 1698, bap. 25th Jan., d. May, 1755 ; Anna, bap. 26th
Feb., 1700, d. gth Mar,, 1764. The two other children were Samuel, b.
13th June, 1703, d. 18th April, 1790 (was stationer and postmaster, Sheffield)
and a daughter (the youngest child, name unknown) b. 4th Od.. 1705.

68 UPPER CHAPEL.

acfling as aucflioneer at a book sale at the "Rose and Crown"
in Waingate. This was on Wednesday, igth Oclober, 1692.
He is mentioned again in the diary of Ralph Thoresby, of
Leeds, as being the salesman at another book auction in
Leeds, 29th December, 1692. His wife was a Sheffield lady,
daughter of Thomas Bretland,^ grocer, whose shop was
among several facing the Shambles, from the bottom of High
Street- to the Hartshead Passage. Nevill Simmons's shop
was in the same row, where for many years he carried on his
business of stationer and bookseller. He died 21st July,
1735. His daughter Mary, as we have seen, married
Timothy JoUie, jun. The Simmons family were well known
as printers and publishers in the seventeenth and eighteenth
centuries in London, Kidderminster, and Sheffield. Milton
made a contract with Samuel Simmons, "next door to the
Golden Lion in Aldersgate Street," for the publication of
"Paradise Lost" in 1667; and Richard Baxter employed
Nevill Simmons of Kidderminster to print and publish many
of his works. Mr. Hester says Nevill Simmons of Sheffield
"may have been, and probably was, the son of Nevill
Simmons, Baxter's publisher and bookseller." " Chronology,"
however, " would not be violated if we regarded him as the
son of Samuel Simmons, who negotiated with Milton for the
publication of ' Paradise Lost,' and whose contract is still
extant, There are probably now no means by which the
question of relationship can be satisfactorily determined. "j

Nevill Simmons published " Pastoral Care Exemplified,'" a
sermon by Timothy Jollie, sen., on the death of his father,
Thomas Jollie ; " A Funeral Sermon for that Pious Gentlewoman,
Mrs. Eliz. Jollie, of Aitercliffe,'" by W. Bagshaw, minister of
Stannington, formerly student at Attercliffe ; " A Funeral
Sermon occasioned by the Death of the late Reverend and Learned
Mr. John De la Rose," by Richard Bateson, and many others
during the twenty-nine years of his business career. It is
probable that he published also De la Rose's funeral sermon

1 He married a daughter of the Rev. Wm. Carr, Redor of Hansworth.
- Then called Prior Gate.

3 " Nevill Simmons, Bookseller and Publisher," by Giles Hester,
Sheffield, 1893, p. 22,

PERIOD II. 1714-1759.

on the death of Timothy Jollie, sen. ; but his name does not
appear on the title-page.

There are several references to Nevill Simmons in his
son-in-law's Diary. He paid a visit to the Jollies in London
(they were then living at " Peter's Hill") in January, 1722-3,
and the Diary says : — " Dear Father Simmons came to us. a
glorious instance of Gods supporting Grace who under
outward discouragements bodily weakness and severe tryals
in his children, yet was helpt to be thankful." In April,
" He went from us to Bristol not a little concern'd to leave
Molly in such circumstances she yn being near her time."
[A daughter, Elizabeth, was born June ist.] And again in
1735, " Father Simmons was suddenly removed from us July
21. being found dead in his Bed in te posture He usually
slept with his Head upon his hand, there seem'd to have
been no struggles of dissolving Nature, but as with inolten-
siveness he had lived so without uneasiness He dyed. "

PERIOD III.— 1745-1837.

ARIANISM.

\1 nXH the ministry of Thomas Haynes begins a new era
* ^ in the histor}- of Upper Chapel. We must not,
however, suppose that any sudden or violent change in the
theological teaching from the pulpit ever took place. On the
contrary the change was gradual, a natural development with
the progressive spirit of the times. The teaching of Fisher,
Durant, and Timothy Jollie was doubtless the common
orthodoxy of the day ; but there is nothing to shew that it
was the rigid Calvinism of the Assembly's Catechism, though
of course that was tlie standard criterion of orthodoxy.
Oliver Heywood praises Timothy Jollie's " soundness in the
faith," saying he "was not drawn away with these odde
opinions, very orthodox of a moderate spirit," by which he
means that Jollie, though orthodox, did not push his
orthodoxy to extremes. He did not approve of the extreme
orthodoxy of De la Rose. Of Jeremiah Gill's theological
opinions we can only infer from Thomas Whitaker's account
of him that they were subordinated to his fervent religious
teaching. The spiritual and religious life was his constant
theme. John Wadsworth was well known as moderately
orthodox, and whatever approval some in the congregation
gave to the teaching of De la Rose, the majority unquestion-
ably were satisfied with the non-Calvinistic interpretation of
the Gospel as expounded by Wadsworth. Speaking of John
Wadsworth, Timothy Jollie, jun., Benjamin Roberts, and
Daniel Clark, Joseph Hunter says, "There can be little doubt
that if anythmg could now be found which would shew what
were the opinions of these four ministers, it would shew that
they were what would now be considered 'orthodox'; but
that it would not be found that they held Calvinistic
sentiments in the sense in which they are exhibited in the
Assembly's (Catechism." And further, that the opinions of
John Wadsworth " were not Calvinian, in any proper sense

PERIOD III. — 1745-1837. 71

of the word," would appear from the facT: that the pupils in
Wadsworth's Academy came out for the most part Arian.
The elecftion of his son, Field Sylvester Wadsworth, of
strongly rational and anti-orthodox sentiments, is evidence of
the growing anti-orthodoxy of the congregation ; and. Hunter
adds, " Mr. Wadsworth's children and Mr. Roberts's children
were, we know, quite heterodox, which, although no proof,
affords presumption that their parents were not at least of
highly Calvinistic sentiments, but more probably in some inter-
mediate stage between Calvinism and Arianism. The elecHiion
of Mr. Field Sylvester Wadsworth to be assistant to liis
father in 1740, I take to be the first measure of the con-
gregation in which there was an open declaration that the
sentiments of the congregation had lost their orthodox
chara(5ter ; this was perhaps more decidedly shewn when, on
the death of John Wadsworth in 1745, they chose for their
pastor Mr. Thomas Haynes, whose Arianism was quite
undisguised. In his time there were still persons in the
congregation whose opinions were still ' orthodox.' I have
heard his daughter, Mrs. Evans, relate that once her father
was saluted by one of his congregation with an expression of
a wish for the old doctrine ; when he replied, ' Yes, Mr. Crook,
the older the better ; mine is as old as the Apostles.' The
Nether Chapel (which had from its foundation adopted the
Assembly's Catechism as its standard of theological belief')
received accessions by minorities from Upper Chapel from
time to time, as the dodlrine became further removed from
the original orthodoxy. Mr. Field Sylvester Wadsworth and
Mr. Haynes continued as ministers till about 175H, and their
successors, Mr. Dickinson and Mr. Evans, were decidedly of
the most moderate sentiments, with no trace of orthodoxy.
Mr. Evans had been noted for his adoption of what were in
those days called Rational sentiments, from the time when he
was at the Academy. He was in fadl: removed from the
Academy (Dr. David Jennings') on account of his want of
orthodoxy. He had been put forward to maintain Rational
Christianity at a very early period of his life, in one of the

1 This is doubtless true; but they started with a perfectly "open"
trust. See p. 56.

72 UPPER CHAPEL.

Essex congregations, and his want of anything hke orthodoxy
was quite notorious when he was chosen the minister in 1758
to be co-pastor with Mr. Dickinson,"

This account of the " Changes in opinion in the ministers
and congregation at Upper Chapel in Sheffield " was written
by Joseph Hunter in a letter addressed to Mr. T. Asline
Ward, 8th February, 1843. Though anticipating our subse-
quent history, the remainder is given in order that we may
have a concise view of the changes which afterwards took
place. He continues : — " Mr. Dickinson died in 1780, and
was succeeded by Mr. Benjamin Naylor, whose sentiments
accorded with those of his colleague, Mr. Evans. Mr. Evans
resigned his connection with the congregation in 1798, when
Mr. Naylor became sole pastor. Both Mr. Evans and Mr.
Naylor looked with great respecft to Mr. Lindsey and Dr.
Priestley, and were both in opinion hardly to be distinguished
from these early advocates of Unitarianism, or more pre-
cisel}', Socinian opinions.' There was a little assembly of
persons at Atterclifte, who professed those opinions, and who

' It may be well here to give a concise summary of Calvinistic, Arian,
and Unitarian opinions, so that the differences may be seen at a glance.

(i.) Calvinism. " There are three persons in the Godhead : the Father,
the Son, and the Holy Ghost ; and these three are one God, and the same
in substance, equal in power and glory" (Shorter Catechism). God
created the world for his own glory. Man, made originally in the image of
God, is a fallen being, totally corrupt. Sin implanted in our nature by
Adam's fall, brought upon us God's displeasure and curse, so that by
nature we are children of wrath. To rescue us, Christ became incarnate,
and by his death merited for us the grace of salvation. Yet until a man is
united to Christ by faith, and the operation of the Holy Spirit, he cannot
be saved. Then, through faith, the righteousness of Christ is imputed to
him ; he receives justification ; his sins are forgiven. Yet by the eternal
decree of God some men are predestinated to eternal life, and some fore-
ordained to everlasting death. His chosen ones are kept by him in
progressive faith and holiness to the end. The " five points "are: — (i)
Predestination (or particular eledion) ; (2) irresistible grace ; (3) original
sin (or moral inability in a fallen state) ; (4) particular redemption ; (5)
the perseverance of the saints.

(ii.) Arianism takes its name from the doclrines of Arius, who protested
against the Trinitarianism beginning to be prevalent in the fourth century.
He said, in opposition to Alexander, bishop of Alexandria (318), that the
Son was distind; from the Father, not of the same substance, nor co-equal,

PERIOD III. — 1745-1837. 73

joined the congregation at the Upper Chapel before there
was an open declaration of the reception of these opinions by
name in the Sheffield congregation. As long as Mr. Evans

nor co-eternal with him. He was the first of created beings, created out
of nothing by God's free will, before all conceivable time, yet in time. He
was not impeccable, though sinless, the result of his own free choice. The
Father alone is Gcd, unbegotten, eternal, unchangeable. The Trinitarians
(among them Athanasius) held that the son was of the siiDie siibstttncc with
the Father (homoousia) ; Arius said the Son was of different substance
(heteroousia). After the death of Arius (who was probably poisoned by
his enemies, though they said his sudden death was God's answer to
Bishop Alexander's prayer), some of his followers held Semi-Ariunism,
rejedling the dodtrine of the Trinitarians that the Son was of one substance
with the Father, yet holding that he was not of different substance. They
said he was of like substance (homoiousia). They thought thus to give the
Son a dignity higher than the Arians, without confusing him with the Father.
Clai keisin. The Arianism of England in the eighteenth century was much
modified from primitive Arianism. The movement received such an
impetus from the teaching of Samuel Clarke, D.D., the friend of Newton
in his "Scripture Doftrine of the Trinity" (1712), that Clarkeism is,
perhaps, the best designation of the Arianism of the period. Clarke held
that the terms one and only God in Scripture refer to the Father alone. He
alone is self-existent. The Son is not " unoriginated." He was created
by the Father in time. Except self-existence he possessed all the divine
attributes. He could thus make atonement by a real death — not the death
only of the assumed human nature. Clarke repeated the old Arian attempt
of the fourth century to find a mean between the belief that Jesus was
essentially God, and the belief, always held by some, that he was essentially
a human being. But even more important than Clarke's book as a diredt
solvent of the hard Calvinism of the eighteenth century was "The Scripture
Dodrine of Original Sin," by John Taylor, D.D., of Norwich, published in
1740. It shows the baselessness alike in reason and in Scripture of the
orthodox dodlrine. The book had great influence, and though answers to
it appeared, it held its ground. Jonathan Edwards complained in 1758
("On Original Sin," pref.) that no one book had done so much as it towards
rooting out the principles of Calvinism in New England. It was equally
effective at home.

(iii.) Unitai'ianism has existed in the Christian Church from the
beginning. Unitarians deny the doeflrine of the Trinity, maintaining the
absolute unity of the Godhead. The)' are, as Theophilus Lindsey said,
" The only class of Christians who really and properly maintain the unity
of God." They believe, in harmony with the teaching of Christ, that the
Father alone is God. There is considerable variety of opinion among
them with regard to Christ, but they are all agreed in rejefting the dodlrine
of his deity. They rejed also the dodrine of original sin, the atonement

74 UPPER CHAPEL.

was minister the name Unitarian was not thought of, and
probably the word was scarcely ever heard in the chapel, or
at vestry meetings ; but in Mr. Naylor's time the preaching
in the chapel assumed more of a dodlrinal chara(fter, and the
minister sometimes declared and defended in the pulpit the
Socinian or Unitarian system of Christian docftrine ; and
when Mr. Naylor resigned his connexion with the congrega-
tion in 1805, the congregation founded themselves entirely on
Unitarian principles." Dr. Philipps, who succeeded Mr.
Naylor, never adopted the name Unitarian ; he called himself
simply a Presbyterian, and was Arian in doclrine. But that
the congregation had definitely adopted Unitarianism as its
fundamental principle is shewn by an entry in the Minute
Book, 19th January, 1837, to the effedl that a meeting of the
congregation had been held on 15th January, when measures
were discussed " to produce a readlion in favour of Unitarian
sentiments in Sheffield," and it was recommended that
services should be held " conducive to the propagation of
Unitarianism." When Mr. Stannus accepted the invitation
to become minister, he addressed his acceptance,' " To the
Trustees of the Upper Chapel, Norfolk Street, Sheffield, and
to the Society of Unitarian Christians therein assembling."
Hence, from the beginning of the present century, the religious
teaching from the pulpit of Upper Chapel may be best
described as Unitarian Christianity. Modifications in its
presentment have doubtless taken place with the progress of
time, especially with the growth of scientific knowledge and
the development of Biblical criticism. But there is no better
description of the teaching from the pulpit of the present day
than Unitarian Christianity. Having as its fundamental
principle the word of the old Law, " The Lord our God is
one," and the word of Christ, " God is a spirit, and they that

(the work of Christ affeds man, not God), and eternal punishment —
indeed, the whole orthodox "scheme," regarding it as both irrational and
iinscriptural. Sociiiianisin, though often identified with Unitarianism, differs
from it in two important points. Socinus and his followers believed the
miraculous conception of Jebus and taught that he must be adored, and
may be invocated.

1 Dated 2Sth December, 1837 St, Cuthbert's Glebe, Edinburgh.

PERIOD III.— 1745-1837. 75

worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth," it is
faithful to the mission of the Unitarian Church from the
beginning, which was to teach a rational and spiritual faith.

With this introdudlion explanatory of the changes in
theological opinion which have taken place in Upper Chapel,
we must return to Thomas Havnes, who was appointed on
the death of John Wadsworth in 1745, with the assistance of
Field Sylvester Wadsworth, a man of congenial feeling in
religious and theological matters. He was Arian in belief,
and his congregation found his teaching in every way accept-
able. In it there was no place for the docftrine of the
Trinity, or of the atonement. He came from Nantwich, but
of his life there, and before he settled there, very little is
known. When Field Sylvester Wadsworth withdrew in 1758,
Haynes was desirous of having Joseph Priestley, then not so
well known as he afterwards became, to take his place.
Hunter says, " Mr. Haynes had some share in the diredlion
of the early studies of this eminent person, and would gladly
have had his assistance. He was at this period of his life an
Arian : but as under the ministry of the younger Wadsworth
and Mr. Haynes the congregation had in general adopted
these views, there was no objection made to him on that
account. There were, however, in the Society some whose
fastidious ears were displeased with certain real or supposed
imperfeL*T;ions in his delivery, and they rejected him to place
in the situation his friend Mr. John Dickinson, who was
at that time minister at Diss, in Norfolk." Yates, however,
tells us that he was rejected at Sheffield as being "too gay
and airy."' He settled in September, 1758, at Nantwich, in
Cheshire.

An interesting letter by Mr, Haynes to Joseph Priestley
is printed in Rutt's edition of Priestley's works (vol. i,. p. 9).
The autograph was sent to Rutt by Joseph Hunter, Haynes
is replying to a letter from Priestley, who had asked his

1 Yates, " Memorials of Priestley," i860, p. 3, n. His authority is also
Joseph Hunter (in a letter dated 21st November, i860), who confirms the
story by adding that at Nantwich Priestley sometimes jumped over the
counter of the grocer's shop where he lodged. As Hunter vouches for
both stories, it is possible that the possessors of the " fastidious ears" were
identical with the persons of fastidious taste.

76 UPPER CHAPEL.

advice about his studies. It is as follows : — " Dec. 31, 1750.
Mr. Priestley, I received both yours ; but the benevolence so
often expressed for you, as a young scholar of diligent and
pious characfter, was not of so much account as you seem to
have rated it at. As to any hints in my power respecting the
condu(5t of your studies, I should be glad to offer them as I
have opportunity ; but various of those which would have
occurred on the supposition that you intended some time
to wear the ministerial character, would be impertinent, as I
now hear you intend some other learned profession.^ This,
however, on any scheme of learning, is a proper hint, that all
study is in order to a useful life, and therefore every degree of
it injurious to bodily health will defeat its own end ; and if it
does not wear out the body prematurely, will at least be
a fatal rcmova to an active life. This I say in reference to
what I have heard of your very laborious application. As to
literature, properly, or the study of languages, what occurs to
me at present is, that Rabinical skill, which you seem to
have some itch for, will least answer the pains you will be
obliged to employ upon it ; and if it was worth the labour, yet
would much of it be lost, without some sufficient tutor to lead
you first into the idiom of the Hebrew language. The other
learned languages, viz., Latin and Greek, you cannot be too
exacft in ; and as probably you have had a competency of
school helps, your own application will furnish the means of
a ready accuracy and critical skill in both of them. But that
labour will be shortened, and made much more effectual, if
you compare the classics in both languages with translations
of reputation. No one means of assisting youth, and
shortening the drudgery of that sort, so useful, yet so
neglected. Tacitus is a fine Latin historian ; if you could
procure Gordon's translation you would read him to much
advantage, and by that single book become acquainted with
the phraseology and diction, in a good measure, of other
histories of note wdiich you will have inclination to consult.
Dunster's Horace would be of a like good use respecting
poetic language. I proceed no further in this, because this
hint will lead you on to all I intend by it."
1 The medical.

PERIOD III. 1745-1837. 77

Joseph Priestley (born 13th March, 1733 ; died 6tli
February, 1804) was at this time in his eighteenth year,
in bad health, and hesitating "whether his profession should
be physic or divinity." His health, however, improved, and
he went to Daventry "to study under Mr. Ashworth,
afterwards Dr. Ashworth."' It is very probable that the
advice of Mr. Haynes helped to fix his preference for the
ministry.

Thomas Haynes was born at Stone, in Staffordshire, in
1700. He was the son of Mr. Haynes, a tanner of that town.
His brother, Richard Haynes (who was living in 1736), was
also a tanner. Thomas married, 2nd March, 1731, Elizabeth,
daughter of John Eddowes, of Nantwich, Cheshire. They
had nine children — Susannah (born at Nantwich, 21st
December, 1731 ; married, 29th July, 1762, Rev. Josepli
Evans ; died 17th June, 1813, and was buried with her
husband in Upper Chapel yard) ; Mary (born 23rd April,
1733 ; died 14th May, 1736, buried at Nantwich) ; John (born
14th January, 1735 ; died i8th April, 1737, buried at Nant-
wich) ; Thomas (born 12th June, 1737; died 20th December,
1745, buried at Upper Chapel) ; Elizabeth (born loth April,
1739; died unmarried 3rd April, 1803, buried at Upper
Chapel) ; John (born 9th, May, 1741 ; died at Nantwich aged
about 17) ; Richard (born 29th May, 1743 ; died 26th July
following, buried at Nantwich) ; William (born 6th Septem-
ber, 1744 ; died 2nd March, 1748, buried at Upper Chapel) ;
Jane, the youngest child (born 26th Oclober, 1746 ; married
Rev. Astley Meanley, of Stannington ; died without issue
1814, buried at Upper Chapel).

Mr. Haynes and his wife lived at 91, Norfolk Street.
Here he died 3rd December, 1758, and v/as buried in the
chapel yard. His tomb bears the following inscription: —
" Here lie (waiting for the glorious Resurre6fion of the Just
and Innocent) the dear Remains of Thomas y= Son of Thomas
and Elizabeth Haynes who died Dec. 20. 1745 aged 8. Also
William another son who died Mar. 2nd 174 J aged 3 years.
Also the Revd. Thomas Haynes late Minister of this Place

1 Ruti, I., p. 8.

78 UPPER CHAPEL.

who died 3 Deer. 1758 aged 58 ; the Memory of the just is
Blessed." His wife died in 1780, and was buried with her
husband, says Hunter ;' but there is no notice of this on the
tombstone.

The Rev. John Dickinson (1758 — 1780) and the Rev.
Joseph Evans (1758 — 1798) succeeded Thomas Haynes,
adling as co-pastors until the death ot the former, when the
Rev. Benjamin Naylor became Evans's co-pastor. About
the time of the death of Thomas Haynes, the connecT;ion
which had hitherto subsisted between the Attercliffe congre-
gation and Upper Chapel ceased, the former congregation in
facl dying out, as its members became more attached to the
ministry at Upper Chapel. But a new connexion was now
formed, viz., with the Fulwood Chapel; and Dickinson and
Evans adted as joint pastors of Upper Chapel and Fulwood.
This chapel was built in 1729, out of funds left by will by
William Ronksley (born 1650; died 4th January, 1724), who,
as the result of an industrious life (he was at different times
schoolmaster, tutor, and private secretary), had accumulated
a sufficient competence, and being never married, left it at
his death partly to endow schools at Fulwood and Crookes,
and partly to build a place of worship for Protestant
Dissenters at Fulwood. For this purpose he left ^400, the
interest of which for several years was to go for the building of
the chapel, and afterwards to be paid towards the support of a
dissenting minister. The chapel was also endowed with ^10
per annum by Thomas Hollis, jun. The first minister was
Jeremiah Gill, a pupil of Timothy Jollie, and probably son of
Jeremiah Gill, Jollie's assistant. He died in 1758. At his
death Fulwood was taken under the charge of the congre-
gation at Upper Chapel ; Dickinson and Evans preached
alternately on Sunday afternoons ; and when the former died
the same arrangement was carried out by Evans and Naylor.
In December, 1798, Mr. Joseph Ramsbotham was chosen sole
minister of Fulwood.

Mr. Dickinson had been educated at Kendal Academy,
which he entered in 1745. He settled at Penruddock

1 Familiae Minorum Gentium, " Havnes,"

PERIOD III. 1745-1837. ■ 79

(Cumberland) in 1749 ; he removed to Palgrave,^ near Diss,
in 1755, where he remained till 175S. Here he was intimate
with Priestley, and shared his Arianism. From Palgrave he
removed to Sheffield, where he " was a man of considerable
popularity, of a strong and ardent mind, and particularly
aiftive in his opposition to the principles which occasioned
the American war."- He married Mary, widow of George
Eddowes, of Sheffield, and daughter of the Rev. Benjamin
Roberts, assistant to John Wadsworth, of Upper Chapel.
He died 1780.

We are fortunate in having an excellent account of Joseph
Evans from the pen of Joseph Hunter, who was adopted by
Evans, and lived many years in his house. In his Gens
Sylvestvina, he speaks with the greatest affecTiion of both Mr.
and Mrs. Evans.

The Rev. Joseph Evans (born April, 172S ; died 31st
December, 1803) was minister of the congregation for nearly
forty years, with the assistance first of Mr. Dickinson
(1758-80), and afterwards of Mr. Naylor (1780-98). He was
the son of Mr. Roger Evans, a tradesman of Manchester.
His mother was the daughter ot Joseph Dawson, minister at
Rochdale, and grand-daughter of the well-known Rev. Joseph
Dawson, of Morley (eje(5ted Thornton Chapel in 1662), an
intimate friend and associate of Oliver Heywood. Joseph
Dawson's father, Abraham Dawson, was one of those accused
with James Fisher of complicity in the Farnley Plot. Evans
was educated for the ministry at the London Academy, then
under the direction of the Rev. David Jennings, D.D. (died
1762). While at the Academy he was supported by Coward's
Trustees ; but is said to have been obliged to withdraw from
the Academy, with several others, on account of his heterodox
opinions. 3 He was, however, an excellent student, as Dr.

1 Mr. Gordon says Palgrave was Independent, but was not a church of
itself. The church members communicated at Waltisfield or Denton ; the
Lord's Supper was not celebrated at Palgrave till 1774, and Rochemont
Barbauld was the first minister ordained (13th September, 1775) as its
pastor.

^ Monthly Repository, 1810, p. 474.

2 So says Hunter. But Toulmin gives no hint of this forced with-
drawal. He mentions that two were expelled, Thomas and John Wright,

8o UPPER CHAPEL.

Jennings himself testifies.' After leaving London he settled
at Brentwood, in Essex, as successor to the Rev. Gabriel
Barbor.2 Here he remained a few years, and was then invited
(1754) to become assistant to Dr. Samuel Eaton, of the High
Pavement Meeting, Nottingham. On the death of Thomas
Haynes he became minister of Upper Chapel, 1758. He
married, 2gth July, 1762, Susannah, eldest of the daughters
of his predecessor, Mr. Haynes. They had no children, and
on the death of an only nephew they adopted Joseph Hunter,
afterwards the distinguished antiquary, as their son. Hunter,
in his " Gens Sylvestrina," has left a very pleasing notice of
Mr. Evans and his wife, recalling with gratitude " his care,
which was more than paternal, and her love, which was more
than a mother's love." He speaks of the " great excellence
and worth " of Evans's character; but he says he knew little
of the world, and was a man of strong prejudices. He says
elsewhere,3 "Mr. Evans, more than anyone I have known,
retained the spirit and principles of the original Non-
conformists. . . . His theological opinions were those of
the Rational Dissenters, as in those days they were called, a
species of Clarkeism of the most subdued kind. The Religion
he taught was that of Doing justly, loving mercy, and walking
humbly, looking upon God as a Father, and expecT:ing future
accountability as revealed by Jesus Christ. He held Dr.
Priestley, whom he knew, in the highest respect:, and was
scarcely if at all different from him in theological views. He
was a great admirer of Mr. Lindsey, whom he met occasion-
ally at Mr. Shore's. He rarely spoke either in public or at
home on religious or metaphysical peculiarities. He was
strongly attracfted to Non-conformity ; it was a bigotted

in 1749-50. Probably, says Mr. Gordon, Evans sympathised in their very
mild Clarkeism, and left. Had he been expelled, he would have been
transferred, as the Wrights were, to Taunton Academy.

1 In a letter to Dr. Doddridge, given in Stedman's " Letters to and from
Dr. Doddridge," 1790, p. 252. Toulmin quotes it in Prot. Diss. Mag.,
1798, pp. 122, 125, dating it June, 1749. See Toulmin's note, ibid.
Jennings was a strong Independent, and strong non-subscriber.

- Died 1750. Descendant of John Barbor, the Protestant, who just
escaped martyrdom by the death of Mary.

3 In a MS. in possession of his son, Dr. Henry Julian Hunter, of Bath.

PERIOD III. 1745-1837, 81

attachment. He lamented sincerely the decline of the sect to
which he belonged, but he never that I remember looked at
the fadl with a philosophic eye, or thought of ascertaining the
true causes of it. His sermons were the only things he wrote ;
he left nothing but them behind him as evidence of his attain-
ments, opinions, or studies. Much in them of Benson, whom
he knew in early life and highly esteemed, the rest plain and
simple. He was minister at Sheffield and Fulwood nearly 40
years. His salary never reached more than ;^8o a year, but
was more frequently £']0., and he had no chance additions to
it by the bounty of his people. He had a little fortune left to
him about the time when I became domesticated with him,
by Mr. Eddowes of Nantwich an uncle of his wife This,
added to another little property, gave them an income on
which they lived in a frugal manner, when, in 1797, he felt
himself compelled by circumstances in the congregation to
retire from the ministry. Those circumstances illustrated in
a remarkable manner the nature of the conne61:ion between
minister and people in the Nonconformist congregations. I
well remember the mortification and grief which they occa-
sioned. But this did not shake his opinion of the excellence
of the system as compared with the Church, though I never
heard from himself what were the grounds of Dissent beyond
the vague and doubtful propositions maintained in such
books as the Protestant Dissenters' Catechism, and the
Dissenting Gentleman's Letters. He looked with a species
of horror upon Conformity, though so many of his near
relations, the Dawsons, educated Non-conforming ministers,
conformed and became useful and respecftable ministers in
the Church into which they carried the free spirit of their
non-conforming ancestry. ... In Politics his opinions
were extreme on the side of " Freedom." He had been a
zealous friend of the Americans, and the room in which I
slept was hung round with mezzotinto prints of the American
generals. He was a hearty well-wisher to the French in their
Revolution. He gloried in the destrucflion of the Bastille,
and he certainly did not turn with much abhorrence from the
adls of cruelty perpetrated on the French [Royal] family
and Court. Even the atrocities of the Robespierre period

82 UPPER CHAPEL.

scarcely changed his feeling. In the war he most heartily-
wished them success. Corresponding with this he had the
most cordial hatred of the ministry and measures of Mr. Pitt.
His dislike was extended to the Crown, and he would gladly
have seen a Revolution at home. Nothing was too violent,
no expression however seditious which he would not repeat :
he meditated emigration to America where only a freeman
could breathe. In these political sentiments he was by no
means peculiar ; he was but one of a large class including
nearly all the Rational Dissenting Ministry, and a great part
of the Dissenting Laity. This was from 1792 to 1803.
When the second war commenced Mr. Naylor preached an
exciting sermon ; but Mr. Evans adhered to his old partiality
for the French cause. He laugh'd at the apprehension of
invasion and wished success to Napoleon on the Continent."
In Hunter's diary, February 8th, 1797, he writes, "Supposing
any account comes of an}' battle, or anything such like, Mr.
Evans says, 'All this is but child's play to what will come
after. We shall not live to see, but thou wilt.' " Of the
Evans's household he says : — " Our house was the abode of
piety and charity. They were according to their means
bountiful to the poor, ready to every good work. We had
family prayers and devotional reading morning and evening.
Our Sundays were almost wholly occupied with religious
exercises. . . . Mr. Evans passed through life much
respecfled by everybody. He had had some share in almost
every good work in the town in which he lived. He had no
great popularity as a preacher, and no great learning as a
divine. He possessed 723 volumes, Grotius, the Fratres
Poloni, Poole's Synopsis, &c., but when I knew him they
were merely looked into, and he had not access to the best
theological works."

With respecft to the joint pastorate at Fulwood, Hunter
says : — " Mr. Evans and Mr. Naylor were the joint ministers
at Sheffield and at a little country chapel, four miles from
Sheffield called Fulwood. They officiated at each on the
alternate Sundays. There were two services at Sheffield, and
between them it was the pracftice to dine at Miss Haynes' a
sister of Mrs. Evans who lived in the town, Mr. Evans dining

Rev. Joseph Evans.

PERIOD III. 1745-1837. 85

at a farm house near the Chapel at Fulwood." The Sheffield
" Register" for 1787 gives his address as Portobello, which
was then practically in the country !■ Of Mrs. Evans we are
told, " She came of an old dissenting stock, and boasted as
he did of a connection with the ejecled ministry. She entered
into all his opinions." She had two sisters ; one died
unmarried, the other married Mr. Astley Meanley, " minister
of the group of chapels in the Peak, who afterwards settled at
Stannington where he lived useful rather by his charities than
by his preaching. Meanley and his wife died about 1813,
when the Haynes family (settled at Sheffield 1745) became
extin(51."

Mr. Evans died on the last day of the year 1803. The
Ins, 5th January, 1804, contains a brief obituary notice of
him, and another, fuller and more accurate, appeared in the
Monthly Magazine for February of the same year. This was
written by Joseph Hunter, in which he was assisted by Mr.
Moult, of Wickersley. Evans was buried in the chapel yard.
His tomb is close to the vestry wall. The inscription is as
follows :— " In Memory of the Revd. Joseph Evans for near
40 years the faithful pastor of this Congregation. He died
Dec. 31st 1803 aged 75 years." His wife was buried in the
same place twelve years later. The inscription continues : —
" Susanna Evans (formerly Susanna Haynes), his aged and
virtuous RelicT:, died 15 June 1815, and was also here
interred."

In one of Mr. Hunter's MSS. there is an interesting note
on Upper Chapel, headed by an outline sketch of the old
building and followed by the verse : —

Hail, House of God ! where Evans once was heard,
Eternal honours flourish round thy head ;
There sleeps his dust in peace ; — but if this page
(Proteded by its subjed) live, late times shall know
I once was blessed with such a matchless friend.
The accompanying portrait is a reproducftion of one at
Stoke Hall by Nathaniel Tucker,' painted about 1777 or 8.

1 Before the death of Mr. Eddowes, the Evanses lived in Cheney Square
(the site of the new Town Hall).

^ Tucker printed a catalogue of an exhibition of his own works, and in
it was a notice of his pidure, "The Last Supper." In an appended note

86 UPPER CHAPEL.

Mr. Evans has a volume of Locke' in his hand — whose
principles Joseph Hunter found so mischievous in his own
education. There is also a portrait of Mrs. Evans by Tucker
at Stoke, and a small, but very beautiful, crayon portrait of
her at Greystones, by J. Raphael Smith. Joseph Hunter
says: — " In person Mr. Evans was rather below the common
stature. His manners were plain and simple befitting his
chara(fter. He was one of the last to wear a full-bottomed
wig and a cocked hat. In the house he usually wore a
flowered damask gown of blue with a black velvet cap."

It is here necessary to say something of Joseph Hunter,
F.S.A., who adds distin(5tion to Upper Chapel by the
eminence he attained as an antiquarian. It is impossible to
over-estimate the value of his printed works and his MSS.,
as a source of information for the history of the Chapel.
Though differing from him in his opinion as to the Presby-
terian origin of it, I must express my indebtedness to his
writings for much pleasant reading and valuable information.
He was born in Cheney Row in Sheffield, 6th February, 1783,
being the son of Michael Hunter, cutler (born 1759 ; died
29th January, 1831), who married, 1781, his first wife,
Elizabeth Girdler (born nth June, 1761 ; died 20th March,
1787).- She died when Joseph was four years old, and very
soon after, at the age of six, the little boy was adopted by
Mr. Evans (1788), whose Avard his father had also been.

The miniature^ here reproduced represents the adoption of
Joseph Hunter by Mr. Evans and his wife. The scene is in
the garden of Mr. Evans's house in Portobeilo. Above is

he says, " The figure of Judas is taken from a well-known Presbyterian of
this town "!

1 This does not come out plainly in the reprodudion.

^ He afterwards (1797) married Mary, daughter of Charles Smith, and
widow of James Battersby.

■^ The miniature is an exquisite piece of work. Its size is 2m. by if.
The central pidture is i§ by ^. It is bordered with gold, and has a gold
back. It was given in 1888 (just a hundred years after the event) by Dr.
H. Julian Hunter to " the youngest of the Hunters, for him and his to keep
for ever"; viz., to Charles Michael (son of Charles Stephen Hunter), then
one year old.

The Adoption of Joseph Hunter.

PERIOD III. — 1745-1837. 8g

inscribed, " Sacred to love and friendship." The adoption
was made with full consent on both sides, including the two
Miss Haynes. Surrounding the central piclure is a border
composed of the hair of all the persons concerned. It is
made up of eight or nine different shades of hair, varying in
hue from dark brown to grey. Dr. Julian Hunter says : —
" My grandmother died early in 1787. Mr. Evans came to
the resolution of making a formal adoption of the boy, Joseph
Hunter, two years afterwards, which may have been in 1789,
but which I believe to have been 1788. It was communicated
to the boy by the simple instruction given on the roadside in
Portobello Lane that he was no longer to speak of his house
(to Mr. Evans) as ' your house,' but in future to say ' our
house.' It is an anachronism, no doubt, yet the figure
bringing the child is his mother's. So said my father. The
hair of the two Miss Haynes expresses their assent ; my
grandfather's and grandmother's with my great-grandmother's
(a daughter of John Smith) expresses their assent to the
adoption. Mr. Evans had made a previous adoption of his
nephew, Joseph Bamford. He withdrew his patronage from
the young man on his taking orders in the English Establish-
ment. Bamford died in 1784. It was not long afterwards
that Mr. Evans received his handsome legacy from Mr.
Eddowes : the two events facilitated the adoption of Joseph
Hunter."

The little boy was sent to Mr. Sorby's school at Atter-
cliffe, a very poor school, at which he learned nothing, the
master having, apparently, nothing to teach Here he
remained from 1789 to 1796, a weekly boarder, owing to the
need of attending Upper Chapel on Sunday. After leaving
school he was " placed in a commercial house in his native
town, that of Mr. Hatfield, in which he continued for several
years, but with no growing taste for the duties connecfted with
trade. He looked back upon this portion of his life as wasted
time, and attributed his being apprenticed to trade as
one of the mischiefs resulting from Mr. Locke's advice in his
' Thoughts concerning Education,' that every gentleman
should learn a trade, a manual trade ; nay, two or three, but
one more particularly.' When speaking of this, there was an

go UPPER CHAPEL.

asperity manifested towards the name and reputation of Mr.
Locke, as if he felt that the great English philosopher
had actually wronged him."' Nor was Hunter entirely
satisfied with Mr. Evans's mode of training in the home. It
was not sufficiently free and liberal. " I can well remember,"
he says, " how carefully he sought to repress every sentiment
which betrayed the working of even the most subdued
and limited desire after distin(5tion of any kind." He
dwells upon this more than once in his MSS., and also in
his " Gens Sylvestrina." Later on, being of a serious and
thoughtful disposition, he entered, 26th November, 1805, at
Manchester College, York, then under the charge of the Rev.
Charles Wellbeloved, wath the intention of studying for the
Unitarian ministry. He left York, June, i8og, and settled
as minister of the Trim Street Chapel, Bath, where he
remained twenty-four years (1809-33). He had early developed
a special taste for antiquarian studies, and all through life
devoted much of his time to them. He was one of the first
members of the Bath Literary and Scientific Institution, and
also of the " Stourhead Circle " for the discussion of the
antiquities of Somerset and Wilts. He was a Fellow, and
for many years a Vice-President of the Society of Antiquaries.
In 1833 he was appointed Sub-Commissioner of Public
Records, and went to London. In 183S he was appointed
Assistant Keeper, and was commissioned to compile a
Calendar of the Queen's Remembrancer's Records. His
published works bear traces of great research, 1?.^., " Hallam-
shire " in 1819 (Gatty's edition 1869); "South Yorkshire,"
" The History and Topography of the Deanery of Gloucester,"
1828-31 ; " The Attorney General versus Shore ; an Historical
Defence of the Trustees of Lady Hewley's Foundation, and
the claims upon them of the Presbyterian Ministers of
England," 1834 ! " Disquisition on Shakespeare's 'Tempest,'"
1839, and many others. He devoted much attention to the
text of Shakespeare's plays. His manuscript collections
were purchased by the Trustees of the British Museum in
1862, and are now among the additional MSS. His " Gens
Sylvestrina " was printed privately in 1846.

1 " Christian Reformer," 1861, p. 444, notice by Mr. Aspland.

PERIOD III. — 1745-1837, 51

In a letter^ to T. A. Ward, dated 30, Torrington Square,
London, May 17, 1852, Hunter places at the disposal of the
Trustees of the chapel ^100, annexing no condition, but
suggesting that it should be applied " to the preservation of
the gravestone in the chapel yard which covers the remains
of my father and mother, grandfather and grandmother,
and also that under which rests the brother of a direcT;
ancestor of mine, Mr. Field Sylvester." In accordance with
this letter, the Trustees (June nth, 1852) resolved that the
tombstones named should be preserved, and renewed when
necessary ; and that a yearly sum of £<^ be added to the
minister's salary, as " Hunter's Donation."

He married, 26th December, 1815, Mary, daughter of
Francis Hayward, M.D., of Bath. She died 27th December,
1840. They had six children, four sons and two daughters;
of these, two sons and two daughters joined the Roman
Catholic Church. He died gth May, 1861, and was buried in
Ecclesfield Churchyard. On his tombstone is the following
inscription : —

H. S. E.

JOSEPHUS HUNTER, S.A.S.,

SACR. SCRINIORUM UNUS DE VICE-CUSTODIBUS,

QUI CL'M IN ARCHIVIS NOSTRIS VERSARETUK,

SUMMO RERUM ANTIQUARUM STUDIO PROVECTUS,

MULTA DOCTE, LUCULENTER, ACCURATE SCRIPSIT,

SED PRAESERTIM HUJUSCE AGRI

ANNALES LAHORE EXPLORAVIT HISTORIAEQUE MANDAVIT.

NATUS EST SHEFFIELDIAE V\^° DIE FEBRUARII

AO SALUTIS HUMANAE M.D.CC.LXXXIII.'*'"

MORTUUS LONDINI IX^^o DIE MAII

ANNO M.D.CCCLXI""

QUO IPSE VIVENS DESIGNABAT LOCO

IN PACE DEPONITUR.

This may be translated : — ■" Here lies buried Joseph
Hunter, F.S.A., one of the Assistant Keepers of the Records,
who, while engaged upon the public archives, became deeply
versed in antiquarian lore, and wrote many things learnedly,

1 Preserved in the Minute Book of Upper Chapel. ,

92 UPPER CHAPEL.

fully, and accurately ; but he investigated with special care
the history of this district:, and committed it to writing.
Born at Sheffield 6th February, 1783; died at London, gth
May, 1 86 1. He is laid to rest in peace in the spot he himself
pointed out while living."

The portrait here printed is reproduced from the engraving
of the portrait by S. C. Smith, presented to Joseph Hunter
by Sir R. C. Hoare, Bart., and published by Hunter in 1829.

On the resignation of Joseph Evans in 1798, the Rev.
Benjamin Naylor became sole pastor. He was born in
1 761. He was the great-grandson of the Rev. Peter Naylor^
(or Naylour), ejected from Houghton Chapel, Lancashire, in
1662, whose son Benjamin died 1753 (he was of Penistone,
where his father at one time preached). Benjamin Naylor's
son Richard married Martha Percival, sister to Dr. Thomas
Percival, of Manchester, and had issue Benjamin, the minister
of Upper Chapel. Through his mother, Martha Percival,
Benjamin Naylor was descended from a brother of Humphrey
Chetham. He was educated at Warrington Academy, and
passed through his studentship with much credit. At the
age of twenty-one he settled at Upper Chapel. He married
(1795, at Birmingham) Anne, daughter of John Dennison, of
Newcastle-on-Tyne (by his wife, Elizabeth Byerley). Their
children were Benjamin Dennison Naylor (registered at
Upper Chapel, 1798) ; Martha Josepha (registered at Upper
Chapel, 1802) ; and Anna Jemima (registered at Cross Street,
Manchester, 1809). Mr. Naylor's ministry appears to have
been very acceptable to his people, and much regret was
expressed when, in Midsummer, 1805,- he was obliged to
resign, in consequence of family matters which necessitated
his presence in Manchester to conduct: a cotton mill belonging
to the family. This proved unsuccessful, and occupied all his
best years with little profit. He died in 1846, and was buried

1 Born in Lancashire, 1636; educated St. John's College, Cambridge;
died Alverthorp, near Wakefield, i6go.

2 Robert Aspland was at Norton, visiting the Shores, in April, 1805, just
before his settlement at Hackney, He wrote in his diary, 8th April,
" Rode to Sheffield with Mrs. and Miss Shore. Called on Mr. Nayler (sic),
the Unitarian minister, who is going into business at Manchester."

Joseph Hunter, F.S.A.

PERIOD III. — 1745-1837. 95

at Bowdon. His wife (born 1770) survived him, dying in
1855. Joseph Hunter, who knew him well, says of him,
" he was a man of considerable power, and an admirable
preacher"; that he was connected with Joseph Evans by
marriage ; that Joseph Evans was a guardian of his wife, she
having been left an orphan. He further hints that all did not
go smoothly between the co-pastors, for he says, " It is
difficult for two ministers of the same congregation to remain
in perfecft harmony." We hear of Benjamin Naylor in
Manchester, as being present, as vice-chairman, at the
banquet (August, 1824) when the presentation was made
to the Rev. John Grundy, of Cross Street, on his removal to
Liverpool ; at which banquet the Rev. George Harris made
the famous " Unitarian " speech which led to the Manchester
Socinian controversy. Naylor was at one time partner with
James Montgomery in the Sheffield Iris. He is mentioned in
the Sheffield Register of 1787 as living in " Pinston Lane."

Benjamin Naylor's successor in the pulpit of Upper
Chapel was the Rev. Nathaniel Philipps, D.D. He was
born at Sowerby, near Halifax, December 4th, 1757 ; died at
Moor Lodge, Sheffield, Oiftober 20th, 1842 ; was buried in
the General Cemetery, Ocftober 26th. He was the only son
of the Rev. Daniel Philipps (educated at the Presbyterian
College, Carmarthen), minister of the Old Meeting at
Sowerby. Nathaniel was educated at Halifax, under the
Rev. Richard Hudson, M.A. In 1773 he went to the
Academy at Hoxton, North-east London, where Dr. Savage
occupied the chair of Theology, Dr. Kippis of Belles Lettres,
and Mr. (afterwards Dr.) Abraham Rees of Mathematics and
Experimental Philosophy. Here he remained four years
(1773-7). On leaving the Academy he settled as minister of
the High Pavement, Nottingham, where he remained eight
years (1778-85), as co-pastor with the Rev. George Walker.
In 1782 he married his first wife, daughter of Mr. Tertius
Dale, a merchant of Nottingham. In 1785 he removed to
Palgrave, in Suffolk, and kept the school there which the
Rev. Rochemont Barbauld and his wife [nee Anna Letitia
Aikin) had given up. On the 31st January, 1794, the
University of Edinburgh conferred on him the degree of

96 UPPER CHAPEL.

D.D. He spent eleven years at Palgrave, where he also
helped to found (26th Oaober, 1790) "The Suffolk Bene-
volent Society for the Relief of the Widows and Orphans of
Dissenting Ministers and Aged Ministers." Leaving Pal-
grave, he removed to Walthamstow, near London, where he
also kept scliool (i 796-1 801). While here he was eledled
Trustee (i 799-1801) of Dr. Williams's Library, Red Cross
Street.^ Mrs. Philipps being in delicate health, he removed
to Bury St. Edmunds, in the hope that the change would
benefit her. She, however, died shortly after (1801), and he
returned to London. He was now elecTied pastor at Hanover
Street Chapel (after the secession of Mr., later Dr. Winter),
and was also morning preacher at Leather Lane. The Rev.
Hugh Worthington was morning preacher at Hanover Street,
a(5ting at the same time as pastor at Salters' Hall. Philipps
also lectured at Salters' Hall. In the year 1805 he was
mvited to Upper Chapel, Sheffield. Just before this he
married Elizabeth (born August nth, 1783; died March
26th, 1863), daughter of Thomas Harmer, of Bury St.
Edmunds, by whom he had two sons, Richard Nathaniel
Phihpps, LL.D., F.S.A., Barrister-at-Law (born October
23rd, 1807 ; died September 5th, 1877), and Thomas Daniel
Philipps, surgeon, "esteemed," as the stone in the Cemetery
records, "for his skill, kindness, and abilities" (born March
8th, 181 3 ; died March 30th, 1844) ; and four daughters,
Elizabeth (died Ipswich, December 20th, 1831) ; Jane, wife
of Dr. Bingley, of Whitley Hall, Ecclesfield (born April 27th,
181 1 ; died March 29th, i860) ; Anna (born September 8th,
1816; died November ist, 1871 ; and Hephzibah Emma
(Mrs. Butterworth), born 1820, who is still (1900) living at
Broom Hall, Sheffield.

Dr. Philipps was a good astronomer, and was proficient in
the physical sciences.- In 1822 he assisted in the formation

1 He was cousin to the Rev. Thomas Morgan, LL.D., Librarian.

2 Mrs. Butterworth tells a story illustrative of the terror created in some
breasts by his scientific experiments. He had, among other apparatus in
his study, electric wires placed round the walls. One day a tinker called
to see him. Dr. Philipps sent down a message he was to come up to the
study, "No, no !" replied the tinker ; " the Dodor won't catch me in his
conjuring shop."

Nathaniel Philipps, D.D.

PERIOD III. 1745-1837. 99

of the Sheffield Literary and Philosophical Society, and was
one of its first presidents. He frequently leclured on scientific
and antiquarian subjecfts. It is said that he could talk Latin
fluently, and that he and his father carried on correspondence
in Latin. He took an adlive interest in the passing of the
Catholic Relief Bill, in the repeal of the Test and Corporation
Acfts, in the Reform Bill, and in the Emancipation of the
Negroes. He frequently spoke in Sheffield on these subjetTis.
His ministry in Sheffield was eminently successful. The
congregation increased both in numbers and position. Dr.
Philipps did not adopt the name Unitarian. He called
himself simply a Presbyterian In the baptismal service he
used the formula, " In the name of the Father, and of the
Son, and of the Holy Ghost." He was an Arian. In
September, 182S, after he had preached acceptably for
twenty-three years, a few members of the congregation,
dissatisfied with his conservative views, separated, and held
services in the Music Hall, inviting the Rev. Henry Hunt
Piper to condiicft them. Dr. Philipps addressed a dignified
letter (dated Oclober 4th, 1828) to the congregation, appealing
against the " incorrect and ungenerous representations " made
by the dissidents. On December 21st a large meeting was
held in the schoolroom, under the presidency of Mr. William
Newbould, and a resolution was passed unanimously express-
ing the confidence of those who remained faithful to Upper
Chapel (by far the larger majority) in their venerable pastor,
and their warm attachment to him. Advancing age com-
pelled him to resign in 1837 (he was now So) ; and those
who had seceded returned. Dr. Philipps died in 1842. A
monument in the General Cemetery has the following
inscription, written by Joseph Hunter: — "Here is laid in
Faith and Hope, the Body of Nathaniel Philipps, D.D., a
man of Learning, Eloquence, and Piety ; ever zealous to
maintain the Cause of Civil and Religious Liberty. He was
one of the last survivors of the old Presbyterian Ministry of
a former Generation, and for more than thirty years the
Pastor of the Ancient Chapel of the Protestant Noncon-
formists in the Town of Sheffield. His Congregation and
Friends have placed a Monument in Memory of Hmi, where

lOO UPPER CHAPEL.

he SO long ministered the Christian ordinances. Faithful in
Teaching, Fervent in prayer. His Widow and Family here
record their warm affection for liim as the Husband and
Father, their Gratitude for his wise Instrucftions and the
Example he set before them of a Virtuous, Benevolent, and
Religious Life. Born December iv. a.d. mdcclvii. Died
October xx. a.d. mdcccxlii."

The monument here referred to is in Upper Chapel, and
runs J — "In Memory of Nathaniel Philipps, DD for thirty
six years mmister of this Chapel Obiit. Oct. 20. 1842. aetat.
84 years. ' Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord.'
This tablet is eredled as a tribute of respect by his congrega-
tion and friends."

During Dr. Pliilipps's ministry the hymn book used in
Upper Chapel was Kippis's, second edition, 1797. No
liturgy was used. Communion was held every month, in the
morning.

There is a marble bust of Dr Philipps at Broom Hall, from
which the accompanying block reproduction is taken. There
is also a pleasing portrait, in which he wears a gown and
Geneva bands, but has no wig. Yet he must have worn a
wig fairly late in his ministry, as the following extract from
Notes and Queries, 31st December, 1881, proves (p. 546) : — " I
well remember when I was little more than a child — say
about 1820 — being taken into the vestry of Jewin Street
Chapel by my father to be introduced to two well-known
dissentmg ministers, Dr. Abraham Rees, of Cyclopaedia
fame, and Dr. Nathaniel Phillips (sic) of Sheffield fame, who
both wore splendid wigs. I thought the two docftors must be
the greatest men in the world." (John Green, Wallington,
Surrey.)

PERIOD IV.— SECTION I.-1838-1875.

UNITARIAN ISM.

TT will be convenient to divide Period IV., the distindlly
^ Unitarian period in the history of Upper Chapel, into
two secftions — the first from the ministry of the Rev. B. T.
Stannus to the temporary occupancy of the pulpit by the
Rev. W. H. Channing after the death of the Rev. J. L.
Short, viz., 1838-1875 ; the second from the ministry of the
Rev. G. Vance Smith to the present time, viz., 1875-igoo.

On March loth, 1837, a meeting of Trustees was held,
when it was resolved that a letter be sent to the Rev.
Henry Hunt Piper, Norton, and the Rev. Peter Wright,
Stannington, asking them to undertake between them the
supply of the pulpit until a new minister was appointed.
This they consented to do, and the arrangement continued
until the appointment of Mr. Stannus the following year.

The Rev. Henry Hunt Piper was minister at Norton
from 1805 to 1843. ^6 was born 26th August, 1782, in
London, where his father was a builder, and belonged to the
Congregationalists. Henry was intended for his father's
trade, but conceiving a desire to enter the ministry, was sent
to Hoxton Academy, and later to Homerton. By degrees
his opinions changed from Trinitarianism to Arianism, and
to Unitarianism. His first settlement in the mmistry was at
Rochford, Kent. We next find him (1805) at Norton, where,
in addition to his ministerial duties, he took pupils into his
house. In 1839 he was requested by the Unitarians of
Sheffield to reply to the attacks upon Unitarianism by the
Rev. Thomas Best, a clergyman of the Church of England ;
for which service they presented him with a silver inkstand
and a purse of ^100. He befriended Chantrey in his
struggling days, and Chantrey was attached to him all
through life. James Montgomery was his friend, and
frequently visited him at Norton. Mr. Piper took an aclive

102 Uf-PER CHAPEL.

part in founding tlie Literary and Philosophical Society, and
was ele(iT;ed president. He frequently lecftured at its meetings.
In 1843 he left Norton for Banbury, and remained there until
1853. Christchurch Chapel was built, chiefly through his
zeal, in 1850. He died 13th January, 1864, at 2, Church
Row, Hampstead, and was buried on the 20th at Highgate.
He married, 1805, Alicia, eldest daughter of Samuel Lewin,
of Hackney. She survived him. He wrote " Christian
Liberty Advocated," 1808 ; " Sunday Evenings," a volume
of sermons; " Sylvanus," a religious romance; "Common
Prayer Book Revised," 1841 (Pickering).^

The Rev. Peter Wright was born in 1793, and died
20th August, 1854. He settled as minister of Stannington

1 In a letter to me, 23rd April, 1900, Mr. Holbrook Gaskell, of Woolton
Wood, near Liverpool, who was at Mr. Piper's school in 1825-7, says; — ■
" Mr. Piper was universally respedled by his pupils, and beloved by most
of them. I felt much attached to him and to his family. The school house
faced Norton Park, and the chapel was in the Park, diredly opposite the
school house. Mr. Piper was tall, and of good figure. He wore knee-
breeches, as was general in those days, but did not sport a pigtail ; though
I can remember at least one old gentleman who did, and wore powdered
hair. Mr. Piper's preaching was didadic, dwelling chiefly on the moral
virtues and formation of charadler — probably intended mainly to influence
his pupils, who formed a large part of the congregation. There were thirty
or forty boarders at the school. Among them I recall the names of Rodgers,
son of the celebrated Sheffield cutler ; and a young Bagshaw, whose
family, I think, were of some consequence in the neighbourhood. There
was also Frank Hollins, from Mansfield, who subsequently settled in
Liverpool as a cotton broker — now dead. Four or five boys came from
Liverpool, viz., two Le\yins, one Harvey, my brother, William Broadbent,
and myself. Of these I think I am the only survivor. . . . The school
was detached from the dwelling-house. There was some land attached to
the school, partly used as a play-ground, and partly cultivated by Mr.
Piper. I remember when I was confined to my bed by rheumatic fever,
Mr. Piper bringing me under a napkin, with much form and ceremony, a
singular specimen of mangold-wurzel, a produdl of his farm, grown in the
form of a human being, wuth arms and legs. When this freak of nature
was exposed to view I felt bitter disappointment that it was not something
good to gratify my appetite ! Mr. Piper had a considerable fund of
humour. The family consisted of an elder son, who was educated at York ;
a younger son, Lewin ; and several daughters — Alicia, Emily, and Fanny —
who were great favourites with the schoolboys." An excellent notice of
Mr. Piper will be found in the Inqiiii'cr, 30th January, 1864.

PERIOD IV. SECTION I. 1838-1875. IO3

in 1814, and his ministry lasted forty years. During mucli
of this time he Hved in Sheffield, where he kept a school. He
was buried at Underbank, Stannington, where a gravestone
commemorates his death and that of his wife and children.
In the chapel there is a mural tablet to his memory, eretfted
by the congregation " in testimony of their respeft for his
virtues and of their gratitude for his services as their Pastor
during a period of 40 years."

Dr. Philipps was succeeded by the Rev. Bartholomew
Teeling Stannus, who was a native of Ireland, being born
at Ballyclare, county Antrim, in September, 1801. His father
was a revenue officer. He was the youngest of a large
family, all of whom, except himself, remained Wesleyan
Methodist, to which denomination the parents belonged.
While Bartholomew was still young, his parents removed to
Carrickfergus, where he was brought up. " His Christian
names were given him in respecl for an earnest individual
who bore an active part in the stormy political struggles
of the period just antecedent to his birth. The early portions
of his school education Avere condudl:ed by Dr. Paul, a
Covenanting minister, and Mr. Johnston Neilson, a Unitarian
probationer. His college education he pursued at the Royal
Academical Institution, Belfast. He entered its classes in
1821, continuing a student regularly through its prescribed
course of instrucftion till 1825." In 1823 he gained the silver
medal for elocution, and in tlie same year he became day
assistant to the Rev. Henry Montgomery in English. He
studied theology under the Rev. Dr. Hanna, Professor of
Theology, in connecliion with the General Synod of Ulster.
" It was from this body he received his license to teach and
preach the Gospel. It was given him by the Presbytery of
Bangor in 1825. In the same year he became the principal
resident assistant to Dr. Montgomery in the Royal Belfast
Academical Institute, and continued to acft in that capacity
till his marriage. On the decease of the Rev. W. D. H.
M'Ewen, 1828, he was elected to succeed him as Ledlurer on
Eloquence and Teacher of Elocution in the Institution, and
occupied that position till 183 1. This eventful period of Mr.
Stannus's life was also an eventful period for the Presbyterian

I04 UPPER CHAPEL.

Church of Ireland. In those years began the suspicions
and surmisings and disclosures respe61:ing the ' infe(5tion of
Arianism ' among its ministers and elders, which speedily
thereafter led to the attempted infracftion which ultimately
rent in twain its members and congregations. It could not
be but that the noble declarations and efforts of the true-
hearted men determined to stand fast in the liberty wherewith
the Son of God makes free — and more especially the incom-
parable defences of religious freedom littered in the Assembly
by his personal friend, whose assistant in the English
department of the Belfast Institute he at that time was —
should make deep impression on a young and generous spirit.
Though licensed to preach by a Presbytery of the Synod,
and frequently invited to occupy their pulpits by various of
its members, he resolutely refused, ultimately throwing off all
connection with it, and casting in his lot with the ill-treated
and proscribed Remonstrants."^ This was followed by his
appointment, 14th August, 1S31, to the pulpit of the Unitarian
congregation of Young Street Chapel, Edinburgh. On
Odtober 3rd of the same year he made a public avowal of his
Unitarianism, declaring his belief that Unitarian Christianity
was the teaching of the Bible. In November he gave a
course of letftures in Young Street, which brought him into
controversy with the Rev. Dr. John Ritchie, who denounced
his teachings as "blasphemous." The controversy drew
attention to him and the cause he maintained. His ministry
in Edinburgh was very successful, and on the i8th Ocftober,
1835, as the result of his exertions, a new chapel, St. Mark's,
was opened, more suitable to the growing congregation. The
Rev. George Harris, of Glasgow, preached on this occasion.
Mr. Stannus's influence and reputation as an eloquent
preacher steadily increased. He remained in Edinburgh
nearly seven years. In 1838 he was invited to Sheffield, and
settled here in May of that year, much to the regret of his
Edinburgh flock. He continued to preach until the spring
of 1849, when he broke down in health. A severe and
protracted indisposition followed, which prevented the con-
tinuous performance of his duties, and there appeared to be
1 Christian Refonnev, 1S58, pp. 185-188.

PERIOD IV. — SECTION I. — 1838-1875. IO5

little hope that he would ever again be able to resume his
work. Yet the congregation manifested their respe(5t for him
by deferring the choice of a successor until 1852, when, in
August, Mr. Hincks was appointed. Mr. Stannus so far
recovered as to resume his literary occupations, and occasion-
ally lecftured and preached. But there was no permanent
improvement, and he died loth January, 1858, at the age of
56. He was a gifted preacher, noted for his fervid and
impressive eloquence. He had gifts also as a painter. He
contributed frequently to the Iris, and subsequently to the
Independent.

During his ministry the old chapel was almost entirely
rebuilt and enlarged, h portion of the old walls was retained.
The new chapel was opened for public worship on Sunday,
the 2 1 St May, 1848. The Rev. Dr. Montgomery, of Belfast,
preached " a masterly exposition of Unitarian opinion to an
overflowing congregation. "^ The late Mr. Charles Woollen
came home from service declaring he could have sat listening
all day. On the other hand, a friend of his expressed his
determination never to enter the chapel again — the sermon
was so long. He is said to have carried out his resolution.
The evening service was again crowded, when the Rev. Dr.
Beard " dehvered an interesting and beautiful discourse, his
subje(5l being ' The practical Beneficence of Jesus Christ, a
proof of the Divinity of his Mission.' " The collections
amounted to £go. The following Sunday the Rev. Charles
VVicksteed and the Rev. George Harris preached. On
Monday, the 22nd May, " a splendid soiree was held in
that beautiful apartment, the Cutlers' Hall," when about four
hundred ladies and gentlemen " met under the able and
eloquent presidency of Rev. B. T. Stannus." Many ministers
from the Midland counties, and representatives of various
Unitarian associations were present. The following day the
Midland Counties Association held its anniversary. Dr.
Montgomery preached from the text, Luke xiv., 2S-33,
his subject being " an estimate of the hindrances to the
progress of pure liberal views of Christian truth." " It

1 Christian Reformer for 184S, p. 377, where a full account of the opening
is given.

Io6 UPPER CHAPEL.

was," we are told, " a fine specimen of his bold, out-
speaking style." The rebuilding cost about ^2,000, and
was carried out under the dired;ions of Mr. John Frith,
architecft, of Sheffield.

The Dissenters' Chapels Act. — Six years after the
settlement of Mr. Stannus in Sheffield, this important A6i
was passed (1844), finally securing to Unitarians the legal
possession and undisturbed enjoyment of their own chapels.
Until the year 1813 the profession of Unitarianism had been
illegal. In that year, however, the clauses in the Toleration
Acfl which made it an offence punishable by law to deny the
dodlrine of the Trinity were repealed, chiefly through the
instrumentality of Mr. William Smith, M.P. for Norwich,
who introduced the Unitarian Relief A6t (53 Geo. III., c.
160), which so readily found assent that it " silently passed
through both houses ot parliament without giving occasion to
a division, or even a debate."' All trusts for Unitarian
worship created after the passing of this Bill were valid in
the eye of the law.

Unfortunately this emphasised the fa6t that all trusts
previous to that date in use by Unitarians, whether founded
by Unitarians, or in Unitarian hands by inheritance, were
illegal ; for, being left at a time when Unitarianism was not
recognised by the law, they could not be made legally valid
by the passing of an Aft which rendered the denial of the
Trinity no longer a penal offence. This was soon made
evident by the result of the Wolverhampton case (1817-1842),
where "the congregation were turned out because they held
docStrines which could not be legally preached at the time
when the trust deeds were executed ";- and more especially
by the result of the Lady Hewley case, 1S42, when the fund
established 1705, by Dame Sarah Hewley, of York, for " poor
and godly ministers of Christ's holy Gospel," was removed
from the management of Unitarians ; the case being "decided
m the House of Lords on grounds independent of the inten-
tions of the founders, drawn from inquiries into catechisms
and the like. It was held that it was a trust for Dissenters,

1 Debates on the Dissenters' Chapels Bill, p. vi.
- Ibid., p. 2S8, note.

PERIOD IV. SECTION I. 1838-1875. I07

and that that must be taken to mean such Dissenters only as
were at that tune tolerated by law."'

Something like a general assault had been made, chiefly
at the instigation of George Hadfield,^ of Manchester, upon
our old chapels, i.e., those held by Unitarians, but built or
founded when Unitarianism was illegal. And there is little
doubt that most of them would have been taken out of our
possession, like the Hewley Fund, but for the passing of the
Dissenters' Chapels h<Si, which received the Royal Assent
igth July, 1844 (7 & 8 Vic, c. 45). That Acl: is the charter
of the rights of Unitarians to their own. The K€\. of 1813
did not affecft the tenure of our chapels. It merely legalised
the holding of anti-trinitarian docflrines. The new A(5l
pracflically abolished that of 1813,3 and established two
important principles, (i.) that the legalisation of the profession
of Unitarian opinions should be made retrospective, and that
certain Adls mentioned in the Bill (Toleration Act and the
Unitarian Relief Act), and all deeds or documents relating to
the chapels in question should be construed as if they had
been in force at the time of their foundation ; and (ii.) that
" the usage for twenty-five years immediately preceding any
suit relating to such Meeting House of the congregations
frequenting the same, shall be taken as conclusive evidence
that such religious dodlrines or opinions or mode of worship
as have for such period been taught or observed in such
Meeting House, and the right or title of the congregation to
hold such Meeting House shall not be called in question on
account of the dodtrines or opinions or mode of worship
so taught or observed in such Meeting House," provided
always that no particular doctrines or mode of worship
be expressly stated in the trust deed. Hence the religious
dodtrines taught in the chapel, and recognised by the congre-
gation for the past twenty-five years, are legalised. No
restricftion is placed upon the future, except that the teaching
cannot be suddenly changed. In the Wolverhampton case, the
minister (Mr. Steward), who was appointed in 1814, professed

1 Ibid., p. 29S, note.

2See his " Manchester Socinian Controversy," 1S25.

3 It was removed from the Statute Book in 1S73.

loS Ut-PER CHAPEL.

to be a Unitarian ; but in 1816 he declared himself a
Trinitarian, and expecfted the congregation and trustees to
follow him. He was supported by an orthodox minority, and
their claim to the trust funds was maintained by law. Such
claims, after violent changes of this kind, are rendered
impossible in the future, whether on the part of minister,
or trustees, or congregation. Hence in cases where the mode
of worship is to be determined by the trustees from time to
time (as in the case of Upper Chapel), legal safeguards
are provided to prevent unnecessary and unreasonable
alterations.

During the struggle thus forced upon our congregations
for the tenure of their chapels (1825-1844), it was natural that
some of these buildings did not receive the attention they
otherwise would have received had the congregation felt
perfecftly secure in their possession. From a minute book of
the " Congregational Committee," 1845, this appears to have
been the case at Upper Chapel. In 1845 there appears to
have been a revival on a small scale of the feeling which in
1714 caused the secession. The trust deed confers upon the
Trustees the absolute control of chapel affairs ; but a desire
was felt in 1845 that the congregation should have a larger
share than hitherto in the management. A request was made
that a committee be appointed from the congregation to
ac51 with the Trustees. In answer to this, the Trustees
proposed, 3rd February, 1845, that a committee of seven
of the congregation " be formed for the purpose of conferring
on any matters with the Trustees, inspec^ling their accounts,
and otherwise being a connedling link between themselves
and the congregation." Henry Atkin, Thomas Jessop,
Thomas B. Turton, Joseph Stevenson, Richard Solly, John
Ragg, and George Waterhouse were appointed, with Richard
Solly as chairman. This was called the Congregational
Committee. In subsequent communications between Trustees
and Committee, the former reserved their undoubted right to
freedom of aiflion to deal with all matters financial and others
conferred upon them by trust deed, saying, nth March, 1845,
" to allow others to influence them more than by advice
would be to abdicate their trust." Later, the Trustees

PERIOD IV. — SECTION I. 1838-1875. lOg

endeavoured in every way to meet the wishes of the
Committee, while acting within their legally constituted
func'liions. In a minute of the Congregational Committee,
ist September, 1845, the Committee reports a meeting which
had been held 20th August, 1845, at which it was agreed,
" that there being now eight acling Trustees, a Congregational
Committee should be appointed consisting likewise of eight
members, and that all the chapel affairs should be henceforth
managed by one united Committee of Management formed of
the two bodies, and thus consisting of sixteen members ; or of
such equal proportions of each as may afterwards be determined
amongst themselves ; the Trustees, of course, continuing to
exercise such functions as can be legally exercised only by
themselves." It is added, "The Committee ha\'e much
pleasure in acknowledging the courtesy and good feeling with
which they were met by the Trustees in the above-mentioned
conference." The Committee further state (evidently with
reference to some complaints about the forlorn look of the old
place), " Truly if the zeal and sincerity of a religious body
may be in any degree judged of by the external appearance of
their House of Worship, ours must rank miserably low, for a
more desolate and negleifted-looking chapel could scarcely be
found in the whole kingdom, certainly not in the town of
Sheffield. It may perhaps be said that the congregation
could not feel great interest in the management of affairs
in which they had so little participation. If the propositions
now made be adopted, that will no longer be the case ; and
the security of tenure afforded by the Dissenters' Chapels Bill
leaves no remaining excuse for allowing our place of worship
to continue so miserably inferior to the chapels of many, even
among our poorer fellow Christians, whose docftrines we
consider erroneous, but whose practice, in this particular
at least, we might perhaps do well to imitate."

The renovated chapel was opened Sunday, 21st May,
1848. The last separate record of the Congregational Com-
mittee's proceedings is i6th June, 1848. With their united
adtion in carrying out the improvements of the chapel, the
fricftion betweeen Trustees and separate Committee appears
to have come to an end.

no UPPER CHAPEL.

In the year 1852 the Rev. Thomas Hincks, B.A,, F.R.S.,
was invited to the pulpit of Upper Chapel ; and left, much to
the regret of the congregation, in 1855, to become minister of
Mill Hill Chapel, Leeds. He was born 15th Jul}', 1818, at
Exeter, where his father, the Rev. William Hincks,' was
minister of St. George's Meeting. He was educated at
Belfast Academical Institution (where the Rev. J. H. Tliom,
later of Liverpool, was one of his tutors). He entered York
College in 1S33, being not intended for the ministry. But
having studied there a year, the desire came over him to
adopt the career followed by his father and grandfather.
Throughout his ministry he devoted much of his time, as they
also had done, to scientific pursuits. He remained at York
College, 1834-39; when he became the colleague of the Rev.
Samuel Hans Sloane, LL.D., at Cork. While here he took
his B.A. degree, London, in 1840. In 1842 he became
assistant minister to the Rev. Joseph Hutton, at Eustace
Street, Dublin ; but before the end of the year he left, owing
to the attacks made on the congregational property, which
threw the congregation into serious pecuniary difficulties.
This was in the days before the passing of the Dissenters'
Chapels AcT;, 1844, which beneficent measure prevented many
of our old chapels passing out of our hands. In 1844 he
settled at Cairo Street, Warrington. In 1846 he married
Elizabeth, daughter of John Allen, of Warrington. In the
same year he became minister at Exeter, returning to the
city of his birth. In 1852 he came to Sheffield ; whence, in
1855, he removed to Mill Hill. He remained in Leeds twelve
years, earning for himself the respecT: of the townspeople and
the love of his own congregation. He took a prominent part

1 He left Exeter, 1S22, for Renshaw Street, Liverpool (1822-27) ; thence
removed to York, where he became Professor of Natural Philosophy at
Manchester College. In 1839, when the College went back to Manchester,
he was invited to London, Stamford Street, where he remained until 1849.
He edited the Inquirer, 1842-9. Later on he became Professor of Natural
History at Queen's College, Cork (1849-53), and afterwards at University
College, Toronto, where he died, 1871. His father, the Rev. Thomas Di.K
Hincks, LL.D., was Professor of Hebrew at Belfast. The Rev. Edward
Hincks, D.D. (1792-1866), uncle of the above-named Thomas Hincks, distin-
guished himself as a pioneer in hieroglyphic and cuneiform decipherment.

PERIOD IV. SECTION I. 1838-1875. Ill

in all movements for the welfare and enlightenment of Leeds.
But the affliction from which he suffered for the remainder of
his life came upon him— the loss of his voice ; and he found
himself unable to continue his pulpit work. He resigned
in 1868. He never took another pulpit, and very rarely
preached. He retired to Bristol, where, at his residence,
Stokeleigh, Leigh Woods, he died, 25th January, 1899. He
devoted himself in his retirement chiefly to scientific work.
Between 1851 and i8Sg he contributed many papers to the
" Transacftions " of various scientific societies, and wrote
monographs on " British Hydroid Zoophytes " and " Marine
Polyzoa." He was elecfted Fellow of the Royal Society in
1872.

Mr. Hincks wrote a number of hymns, marked with deep
poetic fervour and a fine devotional spirit. Among them
are : — " Hark, the evening call to prayer ;" " To the Cross, O
Lord, we bear All the spirit's darker care ;" " Lord, in this
holy hour of even ;" " Heavenly Father, by whose care,
Comes again this hour of prayer." These were first con-
tributed to Vespevs accovding to the use of Mill Hill Chapel,
Leeds, 1868, a Supplement to the colledl:ion there in use. He
published also several sermons.

Among the nan:es of those now living who have
ministered at Upper Chapel, there is none better known
than that of the Rev. Brooke Herford, D.D., who succeeded
Mr. Hincks in 1856. During the nine years of his ministry
he established in Sheffield, as he has done subsequently
elsewhere, a reputation for hard work as a pastor, for plain
common-sense preaching as a minister, and for pracT:ical
interest in the extension of the cause of Unitarian Chris-
tianity, as well as for acTiive service in the social, educational,
and philanthropic acftivities of the town. Upperthorpe
Chapel is a lasting monument of his labours for the spread of
Unitarianism. He was born at Altrincham, 21st February,
1830, of an old Unitarian family, and was sent to the Rev.
J. R. Beard's school at Higher Broughton, Manchester.
Here he remained until 1844, when, at the age of fourteen,
he was put to business ; for at that time there was no
thought of his entering the ministry. But after four years'

112 UPPER CHAPEL.

work as office boy and clerk, at the age of eighteen he came
under the influence of the Rev. Philip Carpenter, then
minister at Warrington (1846-61). He now felt a desire to
enter the ministry, and this desire took pradliical form by his
entering Manchester New College, Manchester, in 1848.
The Rev. John Kenrick, MA., was then Principal of the
College ; and the Revs. John James Tayler, B.A., James
Martineau, and William Gaskell, M A., were on the teaching
staff. Here he remained three years, being enabled by hard
work to pass from the first year to the third, and from
the third to the fifth, closing his academical career in 1851.
In February of that year he entered upon his ministry at
Todmorden, and soon began to show that energy and whole-
heartedness in his work which have characfterised his ministry
all through. In the following year (22nd June, 1852) he
married Hannah, daughter of Mr. William Hankinson, of
Hale, Cheshire. He terminated his ministry at Todmorden,
31st December, 1855. In the meantime the pulpit of Upper
Chapel had become vacant by the resignation of Mr. Hincks,
and the congregation, looking round for a successor, thought
they saw in the young minister at Todmorden the man they
wanted. They sent him an invitation, which was accepted,
and the event proved how wisely they had judged. He began
his ministry at Upper Chapel in January, 1856, and here
he remained, with increasing reputation for energy and useful-
ness, until Odlober, 1864. In 1858 he began his scheme for
missionary extension in Sheffield. Its beginning was humble
enough. A vacant joiner's shop on the Penistone Road was
taken, and on the 9th January, 1S59, it w'as opened for religious
services. This was the forerunner of Upperthorpe Chapel, the
foundation stone of which was laid on the 15th Otftober, i860,
by Miss Urith Lydia Shore, of Meersbrook, and on the
17th July, 1861, the new chapel was opened. In 1859 Mr.
Herford was appointed tutor at the Unitarian Home Mis-
sionary Board (now College), Manchester, and carried on his
work there in addition to his many engagements in Sheffield,
and after 1864 in Manchester, until 1875. He was also
one of the founders and editors of the Unitarian Herald, 1861-
1875. Among his numerous duties he found time, just before

PERIOD IV. — SI-:CTIO\ I. — 183S-1875. 113

the settlement of the Rev. WiUiam Blazeby, B.A., at Rother-
ham (i860) to undertake the ministry at the old chapel there,
and was in facft minister there for nine months. Mr. Blazeby
is fond of telling how during Mr. Herford's temporary
occupancy of the pulpit on Sunday afternoons during Mr.
Brettell's illness, he was desirous of introducing Martineau's
" Hymns for the Christian Church and Home," instead of the
old collecftion by Kippis, when an old lady, Miss Favell, pro-
tested against it, \'owing that they had only " recently " (forty
years before) adopted a new hymn book !

On the 7th May, 1864, Mr. Herford sent a letter, "To the
Trustees, Committee, and Congregation of Upper Chapel,'
resigning the pulpit. He had received an invitation from the
Strangeways Unitarian Free Church, Manchester. His
acceptance of their invitation was prompted partly by a feeling
that after Dr. Beard's resignation the Strangeways congrega-
tion was in a critical position, partly by the desire to try the
voluntary offering system in place of the pew rent system,
partly from a conviction that it is not a good thing for a
minister in the earlier part of his career to remain witli one
congregation more than nine or ten years. Another con-
sideration which weighed wath him was his position as Tutor
at the Home Missionary Board. These considerations com-
bined had determined him to sever a connection which had
been most happy and useful. The congregation in acknow-
ledging his letter could not but express their feeling that his
" resignation had caused them much surprise and disappoint-
ment." They expressed their " high sense of Mr. Herford's
characT:er and attainments," and desired "to convey to him
their heartfelt thanks for the faithful and exemplary manner
in which he has uniformly discharged all the duties of his
sacred office, and for the distinguished ability with which he
has vindicated and laboured to promote the Unitarian cause
in Sheffield."

In Oc5tober of the same year farewell meetings were held
both at Upperthorpe and Upper Chapel. The Mayor (Mr.
Thomas Jessop) expressed the universal feeling when he said
that every one felt the greatest regret at the approaching
departure of Mr. and Mrs. Herford. He knew " that the

114 IIPPI'R CHAPEL.

labours of Mr. Herford had been productive of great good, not
only among his own congregation, but in the town at large.
He had won a high position as a public man. He had, during
the last few months, given a specimen of his energy in the
manner in which he had worked as treasurer of one of the
Inundation Relief Committees. He had always been actuated
by a thoroughly Christian spirit, and he would carry away
with him the fervent wishes of a great number of friends for
his future prosperity and happiness." Mr. Herford began his
work at Strangeways 6th November, 1864, and continued it
until January, 1876, when he recei^'ed a call to the Church of
the Messiah, Chicago, U.S.A. He remained in Chicago nearly
seven years, from January, 1876, to July, 1882. He was now
invited to Arlington Street Church (Dr. Channing's old
Society), Boston, and here he remained until January, 1892.
During his ten years' residence here he built up Arlington
Street Church, and made it the strong and important com-
munity it is to-day. He returned to England to succeed the
late Dr. Sadler at Rosslyn Hill Chapel, Hampstead, beginning
his present ministry in February, 1 892. While in Boston he was
for several years one of the University Preachers at Harvard
College, and exercised a powerful influence on the students by
his popular yet scholarly addresses. He received the honorary
degree of D.D. in June, 1891. He was Chairman of the
Council of the American Unitarian Conference, 1889-91. The
work he did in this position is remembered with pride and
pleasure by the churches on the other side of the Atlantic.
His departure to England was universally regretted.

On his return he attempted, with characileristic energy, to
double the annual subscriptions to the British and Foreign
Unitarian Association, and his efforts resulted in great benefit
to that excellent and most useful institution. He acfted as
President of the Association, 1898-9.

Dr. Herford is the author of The Story of Religion in
England ; Courage and Cheer, a volunie of sermons ; and of
innumerable pamphlets, sermons, and addresses. His series
of sermons on Parables from Common Work is remembered in
Sheffield for the admirable lessons he draws from the work-
shops and forges.

Rev. Brooke Herford, D.D,

PERIOD IV. ^SECTION I. — 1838-1875. llj

The same year that the Rev. Brooke Herford left, an old
member of the congregation, connected with an important local
family, passed away, viz., Miss Urith Lvdia Shore. The
family of the Shores of Norton had long been settled in the
neighbourhood of Sheffield, and the name appears in the
records of the counties of Derby and York from a very early
period. The pedigree of Shore of Sheffield, Meersbrook,
Norton, Tapton, &c., begins with John Shore, of Sheffield,
who came originally from Dronfield. He died March, 1682.
His son, Samuel Shore (the first Samuel), was born May,
1676, and died February, 1751. His name appears in the first
list of Trustees of Upper Chapel (appointed 25th November,
1704), where he is described as " hardwareman."' His son,
the second Samuel Shore, born 21st August, 1707, purchased
the Meersbrook estate, where he died 23rd September,
1785. His name appears on the second list of Trustees, ist
September, 1743, where he is described as Samuel Shore the
younger, gentleman. Of him it is recorded that he chose the
north side ("the devoted region of Satan and his hosts" —
Milton) of the Parish Churchyard for the situation of the
family vault, in spite of the almost universal prejudice against
it. He married Margaret Diggles, daughter of a Liverpool
merchant. They had fourteen children. William, the third
surviving son, of Tapton, was grandfather of Florence
Nightingale, he having married Mary Evans, daughter of
George Evans, of Cromford, near Matlock, niece and heir of
Peter Nightingale, of Lea, Derbyshire. Samuel, the eldest
surviving son (the third Samuel), born 5th February, 1738,
was High Sheriff of the County of Derby in 1761. Appointed
Trustee of Upper Chapel, 21st December, 1763. He married,
as his first wife, Urith, daughter of Joseph Offley, of Norton
Hall, Lord of the Manor of Norton ; and thus the Norton
Hall estate passed into the hands of the Shore family. He
married, as his second wife, Lydia Flower, only daughter and
heir of Freeman Flower, of Gainsborough and Clapham. On
his second marriage he retired to Meersbrook, where he died

iThe name, Shore, appears among the Trustees of Upper Chapel from
the first Hst of 1704 to the seventh in 1864. The hst of 1881 is the first in
which it does not appear.

Il8 UPPER CHAPEL.

1 6th November, 1828, and was buried at Norton. He was a
staunch Nonconformist, a man of great benevolence, and
enjoyed a high reputation for uprightness in all his doings — a
worthy successor of those who, at the risk of serious penalties,
found a refuge for the ejecfted and persecuted ministers. It
was to him as Trustee of Stannington Chapel that the
(orthodox) householders of that village addressed, 26th April,
1825, a petition, the gist of which was that the Rev. Peter
Wright should be dismissed, and the chapel, with its endow-
ments, should be handed over to the petitioners to manage in
the future. To this modest request, Mr. Shore, then in his
87th year, sent a brief but convincing reply, gth May, 1825.'
He was go years old when he died. His son, the fourth
Samuel Shore, born 3rd June, 1761, rebuilt Norton Hall, 1815 ;
was High Sheriff of Derbyshire, 1832; died ist November,
1836, aged 75, and Avas buried in Norton Church. His wife
was Harriet Foye, a Dorsetshire lady. They had eight
children, two sons — Sydney (born 1790, died without issue
1827), and Offley (born 1797, appointed Trustee of Upper
Chapel, 30th November, 1837) — and six daughters, Elizabeth
Maria, Harriet, Urith Lydia, Amelia Theophila, Maria
Theodosia, and Oclavia. Miss Urith Lydia was the only
surviving daughter in 1864. She was born 25th July, 1800.
When she died (17th Oc'^tober, 1864) a local paper said of
her : — " Miss Shore has long been known to the parish of
Norton and the town of Sheffield for her unostentatious
Christian life, and her abounding benevolence. Possessing a
comfortable estate, it was her delight to expend her means for
the good of others, and never, if it was possible, did she allow
her charity to be publicly known. She, like her ancestors,
adhered to the Nonconformist faith. She was a most regular
attendant on the ministry of the Rev. Brooke Herford at the
Upper Chapel, whom she highly esteemed, and whose
approaching removal from the town was to her a source of
regret. Her loss will be greatly felt in the Unitarian Church,
where her kindly help could always be relied on. She was a
true lady of the old school, reserved, unostentatious, kind, and
generous to a degree never excelled and seldom equalled. The
1 See " Manchester Socinian Controversy," pp. xvii.-xxiii.

PERIOD IV. SECTION I. — 163S-1875. IIQ

poor around Meersbrook have lost in her a judicious and
considerate friend and bountiful patroness." She was buried
in the Sheffield General Cemetery, where the members of the
Shore family had been interred since the shameful refusal of
the Vicar of Norton, in 1S55, to allow Miss Maria Shore to be
interred in the family vault at Norton Church.

The old Hall in Meersbrook Park has, since the spring of
1890, been used and maintained by the Corporation of Sheffield
as the " Ruskin Museum."

Upper Chapel has been distinguished in the history of
Sheffield for the number of laymen who have dexoted their
time and energy to the public life of the town. In municipal,
educational, and philanthropic movements the men of Upper
Chapel have always taken a foremost place. It will be
convenient to mention some of the best known among them
here.

Thomas x\sline Ward (born 6th July, 1781 ; died 26th
November, 1871), son of a Sheffield merchant, was in his day
one of Sheffield's most energetic leaders. He and Sir John
Bowring and the Re\'. H. H. Piper married sisters, daughters
of Samuel Lewin, of Hackney. Mrs. Ward died in 1826. He
joined Upper Chapel in 1800, under the pastorate of the Rev.
Benjamin Naylor, having left the Established Church disgusted
with the " Church and King " party in the time of the
revolution and war. He was at the time an officer in the
Sheffield Volunteers, formed in fear of the French invasion.
His secession created a great stir, and he was followed by
another young Churchman, Mr. A\'illiam Fisher. He was
early recognised as a promising public man. In 181 2 he was-
appointed by a town's meeting as one of a deputation to protest
against the East India Company's Charter. In 181 5 he was
elected Town Trustee, and a few years later " Town Regent,"
or Town Collector, there being then no Municipal Corporation.
He was always one of the most aclive in all matters pertaining
to the advancement of the town, industrial, social, and literary.
In 1816 he was Master Cutler. In 1830 he helped to found
the Political Union, and was its first President. When the
Reform Bill was thrown out by the Lords in 1831, Sheffield
was much excited. The Church bells rang a muffled peal, and

120 UPPER CHAPEL.

25,000 people gathered in Paradise Square to listen to stirring
speeches by William Fisher, Samuel Bailey and Asline Ward.
When the Reform Bill was carried, and Sheffield, among other
towns, was enfranchised, he was pressed to go into Parliament.
He, however, hesitated, and meantime James Silk Buckingham
came into the field and was elecT:ed. From this time forward
he took little part in public life. He had won a position as
political reformer in stormy times when every reformer was a
marked man. There were few places where political feeling
ran higher than in Sheffield. On one occasion all the
tradesmen in one of the public streets were arrested on
suspicion of Jacobinism. Paradise Square was not then so
quiet as it ordinarily is now. It was often thronged with
excited crowds who came to hear what their leaders had to
say on all the stirring topics of the time.

After his retirement. Ward devoted himself chiefly to
literary pursuits. He was one of the founders of the Literary
and Philosophical Society ; was several times its Vice-
President, once its President. For some years prior to 1830,
he was editor of the Sheffield Independent, and for fifty years he
acfted as Secretary to the Sheffield Book Society. After 1847
he lived abroad for several years. Few men of Sheffield have
been held in such universal esteem. Ebenezer Elliott inscribed
his poem, " We met again," " To the man of Sheffield of our
hearts, — Thos. Asline Ward, Esq." In the obituary notice of
him in a local paper, he is described as a man of old-fashioned
courtesy, deep unobtrusive piety, and ready humour, fond of
giving reminiscences of the times in which he took so active a
part. He was to be seen daily when past eighty at the
Athenaeum. He was a regular attendant at Upper Chapel
until failing strength prevented him. He was in his 91st year
when he died.

In the Chapel Roll book will be found a letter written by
him to his son dated Park House, 26th May, 1853. He had
been reading the key to " Uncle Tom's Cabin," and says that
Mrs. Stowe has justified all her statements. " The Pope," he
declares, " has just completed the triumph of ' Uncle Tom's
Cabin ' by prohibiting it." His tombstone in the graveyard of
Upper Chapel runs : —

PERIOD IV. SECTION I. 1838-1875. l2l

THOMAS ASLINE WARD

BORN JULY 6th 1781
DIED NOV. 26th 187I
HE WAS TRUSTEE OF THE ESTATES OF THE UPPER CHAPEL,
SHEFFIELD, AND OF THE STANNINGTON UNDERBANK CHAPEL
FOR 50 YEARS.

Edward Bramley (born 17th January, 1806; died 12th
March, 1865), of the firm of Bramley and Gainsford, sohcitors,
was the first Town Clerk of Sheffield. He was the son of
Richard Bramley, of Bridlington Quay, and was intended
originally for the medical profession. His father placed him
with a surgeon in York ; but as he showed a greater taste for
law than medicine, he was articled to Mr. Joseph Haywood,
of Sheffield. He was admitted attorney in 1828, and began
pracftice in St. James' Row. His was a highly successful
career, for he proved himself an excellent lawyer, a man of
extensive knowledge and perfedt integrity. When the town
was incorporated by Royal Charter, 1843, he was appointed
Town Clerk, and served in that office fifteen years. He was
universally respecfted. At times party spirit ran high, but his
impartiality secured for him the confidence of all. He was a
strong and consistent Liberal in politics ; was one of the
secretaries of the Political Union which conducted the agita-
tion for the Reform Bill ; and was an efifeclive speaker. On
his retirement, through impaired health, from his office of
Town Clerk in 1849, the Town Council presented him with an
address expressing the unanimous feeling of respecT: for him
personally, and admiration for his many excellent qualifica-
tions. Mr. Bramley was brought up a member of the Church
of England, but in 1837 he joined Upper Chapel (pastorate of
Dr. Philipps), and from that time to his death he was a regular
attendant, always showing the utmost interest in its welfare
and giving it his consistent support. He was hon. secretary
and treasurer for several years, and served the cause with
ability and zeal. He took an a(ftive part in the establishment
of Upperthorpe Chapel. He was Trustee for Stannington
(appointed 3rd January, 1853), and of Fulwood (appointed
31st December, i860). He wrote an excellent pamphlet,
"What is Unitarianism ? The question answered by a

122 UPPER CHAPEL.

layman." He also composed a fine hymn (No. 552 in our
hymn book) to be sung at the opening of Upperthorpe Chapel.

A brass tablet in the chapel to his memory bears the
following inscription : — " In affectionate remembrance of
Edward Bramley, solicitor and first Town Clerk of Sheffield.
Born Jan. 17. 1806, died Mar. 12. 1865. Also of Fanny Grace
Bramley his wife, daughter of Thomas and iVnn Mason of
Hull, born Mar. 14. 181 1, died Feb. 13. i8g6. This tablet is
eredlied by their son and daughters."

A well-known firm in Sheffield is Messrs. Alfred Beckett
and Sons, Brooklyn Works, manufae1:urers of saws, files,
chisels, and other tools. The founder of this business was
Mr. Alfred Beckett, who died 21st December, 1866, aged 52.
He was a staunch adherent of Upper Chapel, and was a
trustee of several of our neighbouring chapels. He was also a
member of the Sheffield Town Council. At the beginning of
the present century his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Nicholson,
used to attend the Queen Street Independent Chapel, where
sometimes they heard strong Calvinistic doctrine. One
Sunday the minister preached a sermon on original sin and
the lost condition of children in their unregenerate state. He
lost a family from his congregation by that sermon, for Mrs.
Nicholson was so shocked that she resolved it should be her
last visit. She had as her neighbours Mr. and Mrs. Ebenezer
Rhodes, who Avere members of Upper Chapel. Ebenezer
Rhodes was a man of considerable literary ability, author of
" Peak Scenery " and other works. He was Master Cutler in
1808, and was in business in the Wicker. He died i6th
December, 1839, aged 77. He does not appear to have been
a regular attendant at Upper Chapel, but Mrs. Rhodes was,
and her daughter. Miss Bailey Rhodes, was superintendent of
the Girls' Sunday School, when Mr. Charles Morton was
superintendent general, and his son, Mr. Francis Morton,
superintendent on the boys' side. Mrs. Rhodes invited Mrs.
Nicholson to visit Upper Chapel, and one tangible result of
her so doing was that when Mr. Alfred Beckett died about
forty descendants of Mrs. Nicholson were Unitarians, and of
these about thirty adults were in regular attendance at the
chapel. Mr. Beckett himself was seldom absent from its

PERIOD IV. SECTION I. 1838-1875. I23

services, until a long and painful illness, borne with Christian
fortitude, ended in his death at a comparatively early age.
He left six sons and one daughter. Tavo of his sons are at the
present time (1900) trustees of the chapel ; Joseph Shaw
Beckett, appointed 1881, and Alfred Beckett, appointed i8gi.

His brother, Mr. Alderman John Beckett, one of
Sheffield's well-known and highly respecT:ed citizens (died 31st
January, 1871, at the age of fifty-three), was also a staunch
supporter of the chapel which he attended from his childhood.
He was appointed Trustee in 1864. He succeeded to his
father's business of rent and debt collector, and afterwards
added the business of stock and share broker. He took an
aclive interest in local affairs. He was elecTied member of the
Town Council in 1855, and Alderman in 1862. He was for
some years chairman of the Watch Committee. As a business
man he enjoyed the respedl: and esteem of all who had
transacflions with him. The name of Beckett is now, and has
long been, associated with Stirling commercial honesty,
pradlical wisdom and excellent judgment in business.

Another acftive and useful citizen of Sheffield was John
Ryalls, who was born 27th July, 1804. He first saw the light
at 74, West Street, now a busy thoroughfare along which the
electric tram runs, but at that time almost in the fields. He
was educated first at the school of Mr. John Eadon, and
afterwards at the school (held in the rooms connecfted with
Upper Chapel Sunday School) of the Rev. Peter Wright,
minister of Stannington. His father, John Ryalls, senior, was
a table knife manufacfturer, who put him, after his schooling
was over, in the office of Messrs. Clark and Shepherd, of
Barnsley, solicitors. He was afterwards articled to Mr. Henry
Broomhead, of North Church Street, Sheffield. He was
admitted as a solicitor in 1829; and soon made for himself a
reputation as a sound and accurate lawyer. He took a
prominent part in politics, especially in early life, calling
himself a Whig. He was always proud of the efforts he had
made on behalf of Free Trade, and of civil and religious
liberty. He was a warm advocate of the opening of the
Universities to Nonconformists, and lived to see his son
graduate at the head of legal honours at Cambridge in 1863.

I24 UPPER CHAPEL.

He married Ruth, third daughter of Mr. Joseph Wager, of
Worsbro' Dale, yeoman. He had ten children, two sons,
Charles Wager Ryalls, LL.D., barrister-at-law, and Leonard
Atkinson Ryalls, solicitor, and eight daughters, of whom five
survive (1900). At the time of his death he was Senior
Trustee of Upper Chapel, with which his family had been
connecfted almost from the foundation in 1700. His last acl:
of hospitality was to entertain the members of the congregation
at a garden party at his residence, Cliffe Field, Norton Lees,
July, 1887, on the occasion of his 84th birthday. The last
time he was out of the house was to attend a meeting of the
Upper Chapel Trustees on 13th March, 1888. He died at
Norton Lees, 8th May, 1888, and was buried at the General
Cemetery, Friday, nth May. He was a man of warm and
generous sympathies ; in private life retiring and courteous.
As a business man he was highly esteemed for his sound
judgment, and his upright character. His wife died nth
November, 1864, aged 62 years.

Thomas Jessop, J. P. — Few names of Sheffield worthies are
better known or respetTied by Sheffield people than that of
Thomas Jessop. For fifty years he was closely identified with
the public and philanthropic life of the town. A local paper'
recording his death says of him : " Mr. Jessop will be
remembered as one of Sheffield's most energetic, enterprising,
and successful manufacturers ; as one who took the deepest
practical interest in all that concerned the welfare of the
people ; as one who gave most nobly and generously to all
movements that commended themselves to him as deserving
of support ; but not less will he be remembered for his kindness
of heart, and for his altogether unostentatious and unassuming
demeanour." It is not often that such a consensus of opinion
of people of all shades of political thought, and of all ranks in
the community from highest to lowest, is felt towards a public
man as in the case of Mr. Jessop. Sheffield was unanimous
in mourning his loss as that of a true friend and noble
benefactor. He was born 31st January, 1804. His father,
William Jessop, was a member of Upper Chapel, — a staunch
Unitarian. He was a steel melter by trade, and his practical

1 The Independent.

Thomas Jessop, J. P.

PERIOD IV. SFXTION I. 1838-1875. 127

sagacity was shown by the great success that attended his
business career. He married a daughter of Mr. Taylor, a steel
manufacturer (Joseph Gillott, the well-known pen maker,
married her sister), and had a numerous family, five sons,
William, Montague, Thomas, Sydney, Henry, and five
daughters, Maria, Anne, Eliza, Caroline, Margaret.' In 1830
the father and sons went into business together in Furnival
Street under the style of William Jessop and Sons. Thomas
was sent early in the history of the firm to America' to extend
the business there. Meantime the premises in Furnival Street
proved much too small, and works were taken in the Park, and
later also in Brightside, though they were not then the great
works they are now. William Jessop, the father, died in 1846.
In 1871 Thomas was the sole survivor of the firm. The
responsibility he felt to be too great, and he con\'erted the
business into a limited liability company (1875), ^^^ acling as
chairman of directors.

In 1845 he married Frances Yates, daughter of Mr. Peter
Hope, of Leece Lodge, near Douglas, a retired wholesale
grocer of Liverpool. Their children were Mary (Mrs. Weiss),
Rebecca (Mrs. Blake), Eliza (Mrs. Shaw), Margaret (Mrs.
Hensley), Maria (Mrs. Bingley). His only son was William
Jessop, of Worksop.

As early as 1840 we find Thomas Jessop taking an acftive
part in public affairs ; he was then serving on the Board of
Police Commissioners, a body corresponding to the present
Watch Committee. On the ist November, 1843, he was
eled:ed on the first Sheffield Town Council as member for
the Park Ward. He was re-elected in No^-ember, 1845. In
1848 he retired, and remained outside the Council for fifteen
years. He was elected one of the overseers for Brightside
31st March, 1848; Town Trustee i8th December, 1862 (in

1 Of this family only two now (1900) survive — Caroline (Mrs. Jackson,
living at Carysbrook, Oakholme Road) and Margaret (Mrs. Slagg), living
at Stork Holme, Psalter Lane.

2 He used to tell an amusing story of his experience soon after arriving
in New York. Walking down the street, he met a man who had left
Sheffield abruptly to escape his creditors. "Hullo!" he said to Mr.
Jessop ; " what have vow done amiss ? "

128 UPPER CHAPEL.

place of William Fisher, deceased) ; was made borough magis-
trate 22nd July, 1863 ; became Master Cutler 3rd September,
1863 ; on ist November of the same year he was again elecfted
to the Town Council, and on the 9th of the same month he
was elecfted Mayor. His first mayoralty was notable for the
great Sheffield flood, a catastrophe which created widespread
suffering. It was caused by the l:)ursting of a dam called
the Bradfield Reservoir, which had been in course of con-
strudlion since ist January, 1859. At midnight on the nth
March, 1864, the embankment gave way, and the water rush-
ing impetuously down the valley, " overwhelmed a large
portion of Sheffield and a distridl: extending for eight miles to
the west, causing the loss of about 250 lives, and of property
estimated in value at nearly half a million."'

As chief magistrate Mr. Jessop was indefatigable in his
exertions in organising relief for the sufferers. Working men,
who lost their all, had no more sympathetic friend, or one
more determined that they should be fully compensated. It
was an anxious time for Sheffield, and Mr. Jessop shared its
anxiety. He spared no time and no devotion in his endeavours
to mitigate the evil.

In November, 1864, he was re-ele6ted Mayor, with the
unanimous approval of every citizen of Sheffield. On the 15th
March, 1865, he was elecfled Alderman, and re-elecfted in 1868.
He retired from the Council in 1874, and a movement was set
on foot to present him with his portrait as an acknowledgment
of the services he had rendered his native town. The portrait
(painted by H. F. Crighton, and now in the Cutlers' Hall) was
presented to him 22nd March, 1875.

It is impossible to enumerate all the good work in which
Mr. Jessop took part as initiator or helper. He took great
interest in the welfare of the people of Brightside, contributing
to all philanthropic and educational movements among them.
But the permanent monument of the catholicity of his philan-
thropy is the Jessop Hospital for Women, which originated
in the desire of his kind heart to help poor women, and which
cost him ;i^30,ooo. He had seen that there was room for an

1 Gatty's Hunter's " Hallamshire," where a full account of the flood is
given, pp. 188-196.

o
>

PERIOD IV. SECTION I. 1838-1875. I3I

institution to do a work amongst women which was not being
done satisfactorily by the other medical charities of the town.
He recommended that a separate institution should be
organised ; and such an institution was started in Figtree
Lane. He was Chairman of the Committee, and soon saw
that the means were wholly inadequate to meet the ever-
growing demands upon them. In April, 1875, it was
announced at the annual meeting of the Hospital Committee
that Mr. Jessop had offered to purchase Brooklyn House and
grounds at the corner of Upper Gell Street and Portobello,
and to erecft thereon suitable buildings as a Women's Hospital.
The cost was estimated at from ^10,000 to ^12,000. It was
soon found, however, that the cost would be much greater, —
^21,000 at least. But when the necessary cost of furniture
was added (and Mr. Jessop volunteered to supply this) the total
sum amounted to ^^30,000, which he cheerfully paid. It is a
noble pile of buildings, and a noble gift of a generous son to
Sheffield. It was opened on 22nd July, 1878. Since its
eredI:ion Mr. Jessop's family have added a steam laundry, at a
cost of over ^1,000.

Thomas Jessop was a life-long member of Upper Chapel,
of which he was a Trustee (as also of Upperthorpe and
Stannington Chapels). He was Vice-President of the British
and Foreign Unitarian Association, and was a generous donor
to all schemes whose objecl was the extension of the Unitarian
faith. In politics he was an earnest Radical in early life, and
a staunch Liberal until the time of Mr. Roebuck, when he went
over, with many others, to the ranks of Conservatism. In the
annals of Sheffield there are few men who won such universal
esteem as Mr. Jessop. He died 30th November, 1887, aged 83.

Among the names of members of Upper Chapel who have
done good public work for Sheffield, that of Mr. Robert
Jackson, J. P., of Carysbrook, must not be omitted. A man of
considerable mental culture, and having extensive pracftical
knowledge of matters commercial and manufacturing, he was
not only highly prosperous in his own business undertakings,
but was also able to do good service for the material prosperity
of the town. He was one of the founders of the Chamber of
Commerce, of which he was appointed President in 1863, and

132 UPPER CHAPEL.

held office for the following two years. He took a prominent
part in all the proceedings connected with the great Inter-
national Exhibitions beginning with that of 1851. In the
negociation of the French Treaty of i860, Mr. Cobden had to
appeal to various localities for information as to their special
kinds of work and productions, and he found in Mr. Jackson
one of his most assiduous and well-informed helpers. When
he died (21st July, 1873, aged 66 years) he was Senior partner
in the firm of Spear and Jackson, of the ^tna Works. Mr.
Jackson entered the Town Council in 1856 as member for
Brightside ; he was chosen Mayor in 1857; Alderman in 1859
and again in 1865. He was elected Master Cutler in 1858 and
in 1859, uniting the office with that of Mayor. He was made
Justice of the Peace for the Borough in 1863. In all these
offices he did excellent service, sparing no time or labour in
the public interest. During the last few years of his life he
was afflicted with loss of sight, which brought a useful public
career prematurely to a close. He was, during the greater
part of his life, a regular attendant at Upper Chapel, a staunch
and consistent Unitarian. He married Caroline (Mrs. Watson)
fourth daughter of William Jessop, who survives him.

The Rev. Brooke Herford was succeeded in 1865 by Mr.
Short. The Rev. John Lettis Short was born in Great
Yarmouth in 181 8. His father was a cordwainer, and died in
1825. His mother belonged to a well-known Yarmouth family
of Lettis. After leaving school he was apprenticed to busi-
ness, but had little taste for it. His desire for pracftical useful-
ness in another direction is seen in the facT: that he established
with the help of friends a Boys' Sunday School in connecftion
with the Unitarian Chapel (then under the ministry of the
Rev. Henry Squire). He afterwards went to Bath, and
becoming known as a local preacher, he was invited to settle
as minister at Warminster. In 1842, when on a visit to
London, he made the acquaintance of the Rev. J. C. Means
(who from December 1839 to 1843 had no charge, but
preached, without stipend, to a few people whom he gathered
in the evening at Worship Street), and with his encouragement
he became a student of the General Baptist Academy, under
the tuition of the Rev. B. Mardon, M.A., in whose house he

Rev. John Lhttis Short.

PERIOD IV. SECTION I. 1838-1875. I35

resided. Meantime he attended classes at University College,
and gained some distinction in Logic and Mental Philosophy.
During his last session he preached several times at Dover,
and when his academical course was over he settled there as
minister of the General Baptist congregation in 1845. The
Rev. Dr. Hutton preached his indudlion sermon. In 1847 he
married Amelia Anne,' daughter of Samuel Wright, silk
manufacfturer, of Mickleover, near Derby. He remained two
years at Dover, and in July, 1847, settled at Bridport, where
he passed seventeen happy years, a prominent, useful, and
highly esteemed citizen. He was manager of the British
Schools, and took an active part in the management of many
local institutions. He settled in Sheffield in 1865, and here,
again, he soon became known as an acti\e public man. In
the first year of his settlement he was put on the Council of
the Literary and Philosophical Society ; later he was president
for one year, and vice-president for four years. He adled on
the Committee of the Hospital for Women nine years, and was
vice-president for six years. He was also on the Committee
of the Totley Orphanage, and of the Free Public Library. In
1870 he was invited to deliver the address to the students of
the School of Medicine at the opening of the Winter Session.
It was the first time in the history of the School that a minister
of religion had been asked. The compliment was, says the
Independent (October 4th, 1870), "a graceful recognition of his
varied culture, his literary accomplishments, and his breadth
of intellecfual and moral view." Another pleasing illustration
of the respecl: in which Mr. Short was held outside our own
religious body appeared in the faci; that he was invited by the
United Free Methodists to take part in the ceremony of laying
the foundation stone of their new chapel in Brunswick Road
(February 21st, 1870).

His ministry in Sheffield came to an end in September,
1874, owing to failing health. ^ The congregation presented
him with an address, expressing warm appreciation of his
services, as well as those of his wife and daughter, who had

1 Died at Cannes, March gth, 1900, in her 79th year.
'^ He preached his farewell sermon from 2 Tim., iv., 7, on the 27th
September, 1874.

136 UPPER CHAPEL.

efficiently seconded all his labours. He removed to Bath in
the hope that rest and change would restore his impaired
health. Here, at his residence, Ormond Lodge, he died 27th
April, 1876, and was buried at Bridport.

He published, 1868, a pamphlet on " Our Mourning
Customs;" 1859, "A Letter to the Churches of the Western
Unitarian Union ;" 1861, a sermon preached before the
General Baptist Assembly; 1S67, a sermon preached before
the British and Foreign Unitarian Association. He also
edited " The Children's Hymn and Chant Book," which had
a wide circulation.

In the period between the resignation of Mr. Short and the
settlement of Dr. Vance Smith, the pulpit was temporarily
occupied by the Rev. William Henry Channing, who was a
nephew of Dr. Channing. He was born 25th May, 1810, at
Boston, U.S.A. He was educated for the ministry at Harvard,
where he graduated in 1829. His first settlement in the
ministry was in New York City. Later he settled in Cincinnati
(1835), again at Nashua, and at Boston. He came to England
in 1854, ^^<i occupied, first the pulpit at Renshaw Street,
Liverpool (1854-1857), and then at Hope Street (1857-1861) in
the same town. He went back to America in 1861, and settled
at Washington (1861-1865). He retired from the ministry in
1870, and from that time he took only temporary engagements
like that of Upper Chapel in 1875. He married (1836) Julia
Maria Allen. Their children were Frances Maria Adelaide
(died 1889 ; married Sir Edwin Arnold) ; Francis Allston, M.P.
for Northamptonshire, East ; Mary (died in infancy) ; Lisa
Beatrice Johnston (died 24th October, i860, aged 5) ; Blanche.
Mr. Channing died 23rd December, 1884, at Kensington. He
was buried in Mount Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge, Mass.
He is the author of " Memoirs of Dr. W. E. Channing," and
he translated Jouffroy's " Litroduclion to Ethics, including a
Critical Survey of the Moral Systems."

PERIOD IV.-SFXTION II.-1875-1900.

UNITARIANISM.

TN July, 1875, the Rev. George Vance Smith, B.A., Philos.
and Theol. Doct., undertook the pastorate of Upper
Chapel. He was well-known at the time as a member of the
New Testament Revision Committee, and had also a scholarly-
repute as the author of several excellent religious and theo-
logical works. His pastorate lasted only a year, for in
September, 1876, he removed to Carmarthen, where for twelve
years (1876-88) he acted as Principal of the Presbyterian
College, undertaking at the same time ministerial duties at the
Park-y-Velvet Chapel. Dr. Vance Smith's career has been
one of strenuous scholastic service combined with continuous
pulpit ministrations. His is the type of " learned ministry "
for which our Unitarian denomination is distinguished. He
was educated at Manchester College, York, (1836-9), then
under the direction of the Rev. Charles Wellbeloved. In
1839-40 he acfted also as Assistant Mathematical Tutor. In
1840 the College went back to Manchester, and under the
name Manchester New College was affiliated to the University
of London by Royal Warrant, dated 28th February, 1840.
Here Mr. Vance Smith remained till 1841, receiving in that
year the degree of B.A. from the University. In 1841 he was
ordained minister of Chapel Lane Chapel, Bradford, Yorkshire,
by the Rev. Charles Wellbeloved, Rev. Charles Wicksteed,
and Rev. William Turner (formerly, 1809-27, Professor of
Mathematics and Natural Philosophy at Manchester College,
York). In 1843 he rem.o\'ed to Macclesfield, as minister of
the King Edward Street Chapel, in that town. After three
years' w^ork there, he became in 1846 Theological Tutor at
Manchester New College, then under the direcflion of the Rev.
John Kenrick, M.A. Here he remained till 1853, when the
College was removed to London. From 1846 to 1853 he was
Vice-Principal of the College, and from 1851-1853 Principal.
On its removal to London, the Rev. John James Tayler, B.A.,

13^ UPPER CHAPEL.

was appointed Principal, and Mr. Vance Smith took as his
subje(5^s Exegetical Theology and Hebrew, in Avhich capacity
he acfted until 1857. In that year he Avent to Germany, re-
maining there until 1858 when the University of Tubingen
conferred upon him the degree of M.A. and Ph.D. Returning
to England he was invited to the pulpit of St. Saviourgate
Chapel, York, where he remained 1858-75. In 1870 he was
invited to join the New Testament Revision Committee, much
to the scandal of certain pious folk who could see only the
taint of heresy in a Unitarian scholar ; their surprise being
turned to something like horror and alarm when he was invited
and accepted the invitation, by Dean Stanley, to join the
Communion Service in Westminster Abbey. In July, 1875,'
Dr. Vance Smith was in\'ited to Shefiield, but removed to
Carmarthen in September, 1876. There his work was most
efficient. He raised the standard of scholarship, and won the
respect of every student who came under his care. The
present Avriter, then minister at Swansea, used to go every
year to the pleasant but somewhat sleepy little town on the
Towy, to the annual examinations, and can speak with confi-
dence of the excellent results under Dr. Vance Smith's regime.
He was Principal of the Presbyterian College for twelve years.
He resigned in 1888, and since that date has not had any
specific engagement. He married (i.) Agnes Jane, second
daughter of Mr. John Fletcher of Liverpool, (ii.) Elizabeth
Anne, daughter of Mr. Edward Todd of Tadcaster. He is the
author of "The Bible and Popular Theology, 1871 " (3rd
edition, 1892); "The Spirit and the Word of Christ" (2nd
edition 1877) ; " Eternal Punishment," a tracl for the times (5th
edition, 1877) ; " The Prophets and their Interpreters," 1878 ;
" Revised Texts and Margins of the Ne^v Testament affecfting
Theological Doctrine," 1881 ; "Chapters on Job for Young
Readers," 1887; "Church Comprehension," 1868; "The
Prophecies relating to Nineveh and the Assyrians," long out
of print. His sermon, " Providential Lessons in Christian
Dodlrine," was preached at the annual meeting of the British

1 Inaugural sermon, nth July, on 2 Cor., i., 24. Public meeting to
welcome him, 21st July, in Albert Hall, under presidency of Thomas
Jessop, Esq.

PERIOD IV. SECTION II. 1875-igOO. 139

and Foreign Unitarian Association in 1865. He was also
joint author with the Rev. C. Wellbeloved and the Re\-. J.
Scott Porter of " The Holy Scriptures of the Old Covenant,
in a revised Translation," 3 vols.; 1862.

Dr. Vance Smith's connecftion with the New Testament
Revision Committee is an interesting illustration on the one
hand of bigotry and prejudice, and on the other of Christian
fellowship and good sense. Dean Stanley and Dr. Thirlwall
were typical of the latter ; Dr. Wilberforce and the majority in
the Upper House of Convocation of the former. In February,
1 87 1, Dr. Wilberforce, Bishop of Winchester, moved in the
Upper House, " That in the judgment of this House it is not
expedient that any person who denies the Godhead of our
Lord Jesus Christ should be invited to assist in the re\ision of
the Scriptures ; and that it is the judgment further of this
House that any such one now in either Company should cease
to act therewith." This was, of course, a direct attack on Dr.
Vance Smith. With much unctuous eloquence the Bishop
proceeded to distinguish between " sanctified " and " unsanc-
tified " learning, and explained, according to the Spcctatov
of that date, " that fellowship between such as he, and such as
Dr. Vance Smith on a question of Biblical scholarship, was
quite unfitting." Herein the Spectator agreed with his Lordship,
for, it continues, " the Bishop seems entirely incompetent to
discern what stricft intelledlual veracity in relation to such a
duty as the revision of the Bible really means." The Bishop
of St. David's (the venerable Dr. Thirlwall, — the most learned
of all the Bishops) in a manly protest spoke out strongly in
favour of comprehension. But an adverse vote was carried by
10 to 4. Accordingly the next day, the Bishop of St. David's
announced his withdrawal from the post of Chairman to the
Revision Committee. In the Lower House of Convocation,
Dean Stanley made a noble speech protesting against the
aclion of the Upper House, urging his brethren to rejecl: the
vote sent for their concurrence. The matter was finally
postponed by a majority of 23 to 19, until the Revision
Committee should have made its report. The practical result
was that by this resolution the whole question was shelved.
The Bishops had stultified themselves, making themselves look

140 UPPER CHAPEL.

not a little ridiculous. Dr. Thirlwall acfted as Chairman of
Committee, and Dr. Vance Smith calmly retained his place
among the revisers.

The accompanying portrait of Dr. Vance Smith is from a
photograph taken in 1890.

When Dr. Smith accepted the call to Sheffield, it was on
the understanding that there was to be a double ministry, and
accordingly the Rev. Thomas Wilson Scott was eledted by
the congregation as the junior minister. Mr. Scott studied for
the Independent Ministry at Cavendish College, Manchester
(removed to Nottingham as the Congregational Institute),
March, 1862, to July, 1863 ; and further at New College,
London (Dr. Halley, Principal), 1863- 1868. He was elecfted
minister at Paisley under the Scottish Unitarian Association,
October, i86g, remaining there until December, 1871. His
subsequent settlements were, Crewe, January, 1872, to Decem-
ber, 1872; Alcester, February 1873, to December, 1874;
Sheffield, January, 1876, to December of the same year ;
Horsham, May, 1877, to December, 1879; Lydgate, January,
1887, to May, 1890. He settled at Glenarm, Co. Antrim, in
Ocftober, 1894, ^^^"^^ is still (1900) minister there. When Dr.
Smith decided to go to Carmarthen, Mr. Scott put his
resignation into tlie hands of the Committee, so that their
adl:ion might not be impeded in any way ; but he was asked by
them to continue until other arrangements could be made.
When the congregation decided to invite the Rev. Eli Fay,
Mr. Scott settled at Horsham.

The Rev. Eli Fay was born 8th November, 1823, in
Cazenovia, Madison County, New York.^ He was third in a
family of fourteen. At eleven he had to make his own living,
working now on farms, now in woollen mills. At last he
found a home in the family (Methodist) of a physician,
engaging to work for board and clothes. The do(51or and his
daughter undertook his education, and in two years' time sent
him to the De Ruyter Academy. He joined the Methodist
Church at the age of twelve, and it was understood that he
was to be a Methodist minister. He was presented with a

1 This account of Mr. Fay's life is taken chieliy from the Pacific
Unitarian, September, 1899.

Rev. G. \^4lNce Smith, B.A., Ph. & Theol. Doct.

PERIOD IV. SECTION II. 1875-igOO. 143

colt which he was to ride when on his first circuit. But when
he was thirteen years old the animal kicked him and destroyed
tlie sight of his right eye. The house Avas frequented by
ministers on circuit and elders of the church. A conversation
he heard in his fifteenth year convinced him that "Orthodoxy"
was not for him. An elder at the dinner table one day gave it
as his belief that no unbaptised child could escape the wrath
of God. Eli had a little sister who was unbaptised, and being
assured that she was doomed if she happened to die that night,
he declared he did not want to know such a God, and would
have nothing to do with such a religion. Anxious research
soon convinced him that he could no longer believe in the
doclrine of the Trinity or of eternal punishment ; and finding
that he could no longer remain with the doclor, he returned
home, at sixteen, to work on his father's farm. At seventeen
he began teaching ; and making the acquaintance of a minister
of the " Christian " denomination who preached in his school-
room, he was much impressed by his rational and pious teach-
ing. He soon began to preach, and for four years he continued
to teach during the winter, working on the farm in summer,
and preaching gratuitously nearly ex'ery Sunday. In 1845 he
was ordained into the " Christian " ministry, and took charge
of the church of that denomination at Honeyeye Falls, New
York, and was soon regarded as a leader. He was much
interested in education, and when the " Christians " proposed
to build Antioch Non-Sectarian College, for the higher educa-
tion of young men and women, at Yellow Springs, Ohio, he
was appointed Secretary to the Board of Trustees. Horace
Mann was made President (1853). The two men became
deeply attached. Their friendship strengthened Mr. Fay in
his Liberal principles and fortified him for the impending
struggle between the advanced and Conservative sections of
the " Christian " denomination. The contest " killed Mr.
Mann and it nearly killed Mr. Fay." It was Mann's wish
that Fay should succeed him ; a wish, however, not carried
into effect. Horace Mann's death took place 2nd August,
1859. It was a great blow to Mr. Fay, in whose arms he died.
From Yellow Springs, where he had settled as pastor of the
"Christian" Church in 1854, he went in 1859 to New York

144 ■ UPPER CHAPEL.

to take charge of the " Christian " Church in the neighbour-
hood of Dr. Bellows's Church. A series of papers by Mr. Fay
in The Chvisiian Inielligcnccr, showing the inconsistency of the
" Christians " in denying that they were Unitarians, led to his
secession from the "Christians,"' and he was soon (1859)
appointed minister of the Unitarian Church at Leominster,
then at Taunton, Woburn, and Newton (all in Massachusetts).
Twice he broke down in health and went abroad to recuperate.
Then his Avife's healtli failed. He determined to make a
radical change of scene and climate. Coming to England he
settled in Sheffield, preaching his inaugural sermon 12th
November, 1876. During his ministry the chapel was
renovated. The old square pews were taken away, and the
present comfortable open pews substituted. Channing Hall
was built (1881), and Mr. Fay was instrumental in bringing
many new additions to the congregation. While the altera-
tions were being made at the chapel, Mr. Fay conduc'led
services in the Albert Hall. He gave a series of lecflures on
" The Old and the New Science." The first, on "The World
Moves," attrac5fed an immense audience, and the series made
a marked impression in the town in favour of Unitarianism
and free religion generally. Before he left Sheffield he held,
7th January, 1882, a Service of Consecration, at which 74
young people were received into membership. In 1883, his
wife's health having again failed, he was advised to try the
climate of Southern California. He bade farewell to his
congregation on Sunday, 22nd July, 1883, preaching from the
text, 2 Tim., iv., 6, " The time of my departure is at hand."
He now returned to America, proceeding to Los Angeles, then
to San Diego, whence, after a short residence, he returned to
Los Angeles and became pastor of the Unitarian Church.
Services were held in various halls and in the Grand Opera
House, until Mr. Fay gave the land on which the present

1 The " Christian" sedl of his day is now largely merged in Unitarian-
ism. Its motto was "The Bible our only creed, Christian charader our
only test of fellowship." It was in no way connected with what is now
called the "Christian" denomination, formerly known as the "Disciples,"
or popularly as the " Campbellites." Ci. The Chvistian Life, September
i6th, 1899.

Rev. Eli Fay,

PERIOD IV. SECTION II. 1875-I9OO. I47

church in Seventh Street, near Broadway, now stands.
During much of his pastorate his services were given gratui-
tously. In i8gi, after eight years' labour, he resigned, and
henceforth gave his services to the Unitarian Churches in
Southern California. A fortunate speculation had made him
rich, and his ambition on acquiring riches was to found and
endow a college for women. This laudable design was not,
however, carried into execution, for the fortune he had acquired
departed as rapidly as it had come. He was three times mar-
ried— in 1843 to Laura Johnson, of Lindonville, N.Y.; she died
in 1852 ; in 1855 to Julia A. Hitchcock, a teacher at Antioch
College; she died in 1888; in 1889 to Harriet Kelsey, of San
Francisco, who survives him. Mr. Fay received the degree
D.D. from Tufts University, a Universalist institution.

Channing Hall was built in 1881 (opened 12th January,
1882). The inscription on the foundation stone is " Upper
Chapel Congregational Hall. This stone was laid by Margaret
Jessop, of Endcliffe Grange, June 14th, 1881." The style is
Italian renaissance. The hall is 57 feet long by 35 feet wide,
19 feet high at the walls, and 24 feet high at the centre of the
ceiling. It has a frontage of 60 feet. Around the interior runs
the following inscription : " ErecT;ed by the congregation of the
Upper Chapel, in the year MDCCCLXXXL, for religious,
educational, and social purposes, and for the same religious
aims with which the chapel was founded in the year MDCC,
and on the same free basis of a free and open trust." The
walls are of glazed brick ; the roof is partly open timbered ;
the ceiling is panelled ; the floor is of wood 4^ inches thick,
laid on concrete. The hall will accommodate about 400 persons.
The architects were Messrs. Flockton and Gibbs. The total
cost including also necessary repairs and improvements in the
chapel (re-roofing and re-seating) was about ^8,000. This
sum was raised by subscriptions among the members of the
congregation, supplemented by an " Old English Fair," held
in the Albert Hall in March, 1882, the proceeds of which
amounted to nearly ^1,600. The hall is used for social
meetings and all congregational and Sunday School purposes.

Two noteworthy names occur in the history of Upper Chapel
from the time of Nathaniel Philipps to that of Eli Fay —

148 UPPER CHAPEL.

William Fisher, Senior and Junior. Of the former a tablet in
the chapel says, "he was born in Sheffield, August 23rd, 1780,
died November 29th, 1861 ; whilst occupied in the industrial
pursuits of Commerce, the best energies of his long and
honourable life were given up to the great struggles of his day
for religious, civil, and commercial freedom ; and to acT:ive
labour for the various charitable and public institutions of his
native town." In Sheffield he was known as " The Father of
Reform."

His son, William Fisher, J. P., was a worthy follower in
his father's footsteps. Every good work in Sheffield, charitable,
educational and philanthropic, found in him an earnest and
zealous supporter. He was a member of the first Town
Council of Sheffield in 1844, Alderman in 1853, Mayor in 1854.
He acted as Chairman of the Free Libraries Committee for
twenty years; was elecffed Town Trustee in i86g; was
Magistrate for the West Riding of Yorkshire and Justice of
the Peace for the borough. He was Chairman of the
Mechanics' Institution for several years ; member of the first
School Board for Slieffield, a position he relinquished in 1876;
he was also member of the Infirmary Board. When he died
the local press said of him, " to mention his name is to suggest
all that is upright, just and generous. Few citizens have
taken a more kindly or more intelligently active interest in the
intellectual elevation of the working classes." He was one
among the many public men who rendered Upper Chapel
distinguished in the ci\ic life of Sheffield. He died at
Tunbridge Wells, 25th March, 1880, aged 67.

His name is especially connedted with The Fisher
Institution. By his will, dated 20th April, 1876, after
bequeathing certain legacies and annuities, he directs his
trustees to apply the clear net revenue of his personal estate,
or so much of it as might then according to law be devoted to
charitable purposes, for establishing a Charitable Institution in
Sheffield. Unitarians, Jews, and Roman Catholics are expressly
excluded from certain local charities ; and it was Mr. Fisher's
desire, supported by the wishes of his wife, who was a Roman
Catholic lady,' to devote the residue of his fortune to helping
1 Mrs, William Fisher, daughter of Mr. Edward Nanson, of Sheffield,

PERIOD IV. SECTION" II. 1875-igOO. I5I

poor women of these denominations. One moiety was to be
devoted " for the benefit of ladies of good character whose
means have been reduced, whether unmarried, married, or
widows, and who shall not be members of the Church of
England or Protestant Dissenters holding Trinitarian views,
but on the contrary shall be persons believing in the Unity of
God (as opposed to Trinitarianism) or members of the Roman
Catholic Church ;" and he diredled " that the unmarried
recipients shall not be more than half of the total number of
recipients, and that the Roman Catholic recipients shall not
exceed one-third of the whole number of recipients." The
above is " The Charity of William Fisher for granting
Annuities to Ladies." It is obvious that Jewesses are eligible.
The other moiety the testator declared to be " for the benefit
of deserving single women who shall have been employed in
domestic service, but who from age, infirmity, accident, or
other cause are no longer fit for service." This is " The
Charity of Eleanor Fisher for granting Pensions to deserving
Single Women." No religious test of any kind is to be
applied to applicants. Women, it will be noted, are the sole
recipients.

The Governors are the trustees of Mr. Fisher's will, the
Trustees of Upper Chapel, the minister of Upper Chapel for
the time being, and four priests of St. Marie's Roman Catholic
Church, Every person presenting a donation of £^o to the
institution becomes a Life Governor, entitled to vote at all
elections ; and every person subscribing Five Guineas per
annum, will, after three annual payments, be a Governor simi-
larly entitled to vote so long as such subscription is continued.

Mr. Fisher had hoped that the charity would receive large
additions from Unitarians and Roman Catholics throughout
the country. Hitherto seven persons have qualified as Life
Governors by presenting ^50 to the funds. These are all
Unitarians (with one exception). i\ legacy of ^500 has

was born 8th March, 180S ; died Monday, 21st September, 1885, at
Bishopstowe, Bedford, leaving no family. She was brought up among
Unitarian surroundings at Upper Chapel, but joined the Roman Catholic
Church, being received by the Rev. Canon Scully, soon after the new
Church of St. Marie, in Norfolk Row, was opened (September, 1850).

152 UPPER CHAPEL.

recently been bequeathed by a Roman Catholic lady to be
devoted solely to paying Roman Catholic annuities and
pensions. Officers (1900) — President : Mr. A. J. Hobson ;
Treasurer : Mr. J. S. Beckett ; Clerk : Mr. W. R. Stevenson,
10, Norfolk Row, Sheffield.

A name closely identified with the history of Upper Chapel
during the last half century is that of John Hobson, who died
2oth February, 1889, in his 74th year. He was made a Trustee
in 1837 ; and at the election in 18S1 he alone of all those
eletfted in 1837 survived. He was Chairman of Trustees and
treasurer of the chapel, and for many years took an important
part in the work and responsibility of the place. He was
eledfed the first Chairman of the Fisher Institution. He acfted
as Trustee of the Rotherham, Upperthorpe, and Doncaster
Chapels. The Unitarian cause generally, and Upper Chapel
in particular, always had his willing and enthusiastic support.
He was also a prominent public man ; for more than thirty
years member of the Weekly Board of the Royal Infirmary ;
treasurer of the Literary and Philosophical Society, once its
president ; for some years on the Council of the School of Art ;
member of the Totley Orphanage Committee ; a prominent
member of the Chamber of Commerce, twice its president ;
deputy-chairman of the Sheffield Gas Company, in which he
was a large shareholder ; trustee of the Spooner and several
other charities. He was a member of the Town Council for
about ten years, and Avas elec51ed (1883) to the Aldermanic
Bench. He was also invited to be Mayor, but declined the
honour, chiefly on account of his increasing years. His family
came from Bradfield. His father, John Hobson, married the
daughter of Mr. Hinchliffe, who carried on the business of
scissor manufacturer in Sheffield. He succeeded to the busi-
ness, and in time took his son, Mr. A. J. Hobson, into partner-
ship. He retired front business in 1882. He was a man of
sincere and unaffecfled piety, one of the most kind-hearted and
honourable of men. He married (1858) Thyrza, second
daughter of Mr. Alderman John Carr, and left four sons and
three daughters. His son, Mr. A. J. Hobson, acfted for some
years as Secretary to the Chapel, and was ele(fted Trustee
in 1891.

Mr. John Hobsox.

PERIOD IV. SECTION II. 1875-I9OO. I55

Among the many laymen belonging to Upper Chapel who
have during the last half century been distinguished as clever
business men and who have served Sheffield well in a business
capacity is Mr. Robert Thomas Eadon, J. P. He was the
son of Mr. Moses Eadon, who began business in 1823 as a
saw, file, and edge-tool manufacflurer, in Norfolk Street.
When he took his two sons, Robert Thomas and John, into
partnership the business went under the style of Moses Eadon
and Sons. In 1850 they removed to the President Works in
Savile Street. The father died in 1861, and subsequently
John retired. The business then came entirely under the
management of Robert Thomas, who in time associated his
son, Robert Renton Eadon, in the partnership. The Indepen-
dent in its obituary notice says : — " Mr. Eadon was one of the
witnesses examined in connection Avith the Trades Outrages
Inquiry, and gave several instances of rattening which had
occurred in the experience of his firm. K man named John
Staniforih, in their employ, had been secretary of a previous
Saw Grinders' Union to that of which Broadhead was chief.
Staniforth and several other grinders were on various occasions
in arrear with their ' natty money,' or contributions, to Broad-
head's union. Several times the bands of the defaulters dis-
appeared, but on each occasion they were restored after the
men had had an interview with Broadhead and paid up their
arrears, with a contribution to ' Mary Ann ' for expenses.
Mr. Eadon stated, however, that his firm had declined to take
any step in the direcftion of collecfting the ' natty money.' In
one instance a man named Bradshaw was caught by the police
taking bands from Messrs. Eadon's works, and being prose-
cuted by the firm, was sent to gaol for six months. Several
of the workmen were also examined in the course of the
inquiry, but beyond the instances of rattening to which Mr.
Eadon had testified it did not appear that the firm had suffered
from any of the outrages into which the Commission inquired."
Mr. Eadon entered the Town Council November, 1861, being
returned unopposed for Brightside ; so in 1864, but he was
defeated in 1867. He remained outside until November, 1883,
when he was again returned unopposed for Brightside, and
again in 1886. In 1887 he was elecSled Alderman, being

156 UPPER CHAPEL.

re-ele(5\ed November gth, i88g. In the time between his
periods of office in the Town Council he did good service on
the School Board. On the passing of the Education Acft,
1870, he was eledted member of the first Sheffield Board. In
1873 no election took place, and the old members retained
office for another three years. Mr. Eadon took an active part
with Sir John Brown and Mr. Mark Firth and other prominent
townsmen in laying the foundation of the School Board system
in Sheffield which has subsequently proved so efficient. In
July, 1886, he was made J. P. He was for some time on the
Council of the Chamber of Commerce. He was elected
Trustee of Upper Chapel 14th Jvme, 1881. He married (1853)
Ellen Simpson, daughter of Mr. Robert Renton, of Mandrake
House. They had one son, Mr. Robert Renton Eadon, who
was elecfted Trustee of the Chapel 29th January, 1891. Mr.
Eadon died 22nd July, 1890, aged 67.

Another name long connected with Upper Chapel and Avith
the public life of Sheffield is that of Mr. William Edward
Laycock, J. p., of Stumperlowe Grange, who was born in 1815,
and died 21st November, 1895. Clear-headed and energetic,
he spent his life in building up and extending the business
(hair-seating) which his father, Samuel Laycock, began more
than a century ago in Millsands. Later on it was carried on
in Portobello, and had branches in Ilminster, Crewekerne, and
elsewhere. In business affairs Mr. Laycock always manifested
keen and far-seeing judgment. He stood exceedingly well
with his workpeople. He insisted on a high standard of
efficiency, yet he was known by his employes to be absolutely
fair and strictly just. During a very busy life he found time
for public work. He was first ele(5ted to the Town Council
for Nether Hallam 17th November, 1856, and was re-eledted
in i860 and also in 1863. On 9th November, 1865, he was
chosen Mayor in succession to Mr. Thomas Jessop, who, in
proposing him, said truly " he was a man of good, solid,
upright characfter, and would do his duty fearlessly." It was
during his term of office that the outrage occurred in New
Hereford Street, when the house of Thomas Fearneyhough
was blown up. He took a prominent part in securing the
appointment of the Trades Outrage Commission, through

PERIOD IV. — SECTION II. 1875-igOO. I57

whose labours the perpetrators of outrage and rattening were
unearthed, and an effectual stop was put to their diabolical
work. It was also whilst Mr. Laycock was Mayor that the
Fenian scare was prevalent, and he spent one night in the
streets with the Chief Constable watching the movements of
suspecfted persons. On the same day that he was made Mayor
he was elected Alderman. At the end of six years he declined
re-eledlion and retired from the Council, having devoted much
time and energy to the welfare of Sheffield. He was for many
years Guardian of the Poor in Ecclesall Union. He was
made J. P. in 1870.

He belonged all his life to Upper Chapel, of which he was"
a Trustee, and was a generous contributor to its funds. He
married Caroline, daughter of Mr. Isaac Burkill, of I-'all-Ings
House, Wakefield, by whom he had eleven children, five sons
and six daughters. His son Charles Albert was elected
Trustee of Upper Chapel in 1891. Mr. Laycock purchased
Stumperlowe Grange about 1855. To the grounds of this
hospitable mansion he invited the children of the Sunday
School for many years in succession, and old teachers and
scholars remember the hearty and kindly welcome he gave
them. A man of la\ish hospitality and kindness, he was
seconded in all his generous proje<51s by his excellent wife.
She survived him five years, dying in June, i8gg.

Mr. Herbert Bramley (born 12th May, 1842 ; died 13th
September. 1897, at Neuenahr) was the only son of Mr
Edward Bramley mentioned above. His education began at
Wesley College, Sheffield, his father having stipulated with the
head master that he was not to be taught the W'esleyan
catechism. In six months' time, however, a new head master
was appointed and the agreement was broken. Mr. Bramley
now sent his son to Bradford as a pupil to the Rev. Dr. Dyson.
Later on he was sent to Bristol, and there remained for two
years under the Rev. Dr. Wreford, After that he went to
Saxe-Meiningen for two years, and then for a short time to Le
Mans in France. He returned to Sheffield in May, i860, and
in August was articled to his father. Three years later he
went to complete his articles in London. When his father
died he became partner in the firm Gainsford and Bramley.

158 UPPER CHAPEL.

He was elecTied to the Town Council in 1880 ; re-ele(5\ed 1881,
1884, 1887 ; made an Alderman 1890 ; appointed Town Clerk
14th October, 1895. ^'^ '^^''^s an acftive politician all his life, at
first on the Liberal side. In 1874 ^^^ was political agent to Mr.
Chamberlain. But subsequently he threw in his lot with the
Conservatives. In 1875 he was appointed Secretary to the
newly established Law Society for Sheffield, a position which
he maintained until, shortly before his death, he was elecfted
President. All through his life he was a zealous Unitarian,
taking an acftive part in all that concerned the welfare of Upper
Chapel, and giving both time and energy to outside movements
as well. While still a youth he was a successful teacher in the
Sunday School. At the age of 18 he was eledled Secretary of
the Upperthorpe Chapel. He was also Secretary of Upper
Chapel for twenty years, an office which he resigned in 1885.
Misunderstandings then led to a temporary withdrawal to
Upperthorpe; but in 1889 he was elec^ted on the new Com-
mittee, and took his accustomed place in Upper Chapel. He
was Trustee for Underbank Chapel, Stannington, from 26th
March, 1873, to his death. In 1892, and again in 1893, ^e was
elecled President of the Yorkshire Unitarian Union, and in
1895 President of the Unitarian Home Missionary College,
Manchester. He adled as Chairman of the Sheffield Committee
of the Triennial Conference in 1897. I" ^^^ these offices he
proved himself a zealous and capable worker. As a lawyer he
left a reputation second to none in the annals of Sheffield.
He married (1866) Amy, third daughter of Mr. \\'illiam
Shakespeare, of London, member of the firm of James and
Shakespeare, metal brokers. He left three sons and one
daughter. His eldest son, Edward, now hon. sec. of Upper
Chapel, succeeded to his business. He was wont to say with
some pride that his children were the fifth generation of
Unitarians in his family in direct descent on his mother's side.
He himself was a regular attendant at Upper Chapel to the
last. The universal respecfl in which he was held was shown
by the great gathering of persons of all classes, creeds, and
parties at the funeral service held in Upper Chapel (i8th
September, 1897). The body was cremated at the Manchester
Crematorium, the urn containing the ashes being deposited in

Mr, Herbert Bramley.

PERIOD IV. SECTION II. 1875-I9OO. 161

the family vault in the General Cemetery, Sheffield. By his
will Mr. Bramley bequeathed the following legacies : — (i.) A
sum of ;^30o to be invested by the Trustees of Stannington
Chapel, " the income arising therefrom to be stricftly applied
for the benefit of the minister for the time being of the said
chapel ;" (ii.) a sum of ^250 to be invested by the trustees of
his will, the income arising therefrom to be paid " to the
minister for the time being of the Upper Chapel, Norfolk
Street, Sheffield, in augmentation of his salary and without
reference to what he may receive from the Trust Funds of the
said chapel."

The late Alderman Michael Hunter (born 17th
February, 1821 ; died 8th December, 1898) was the representa-
tive of a family which has been connedled with Upper Chapel
almost from its foundation. A memorial tablet has recently
been placed over the " Hunter pew," bearing the following
inscription : —

" Sacred to the Memory of Michael Hunter, baptised in
this chapel July 4th, 1724, died June i8th, 1771 ; and of
Michael Hunter, son of the above, born 1759, died Jan. 29th,
183 1 ; and of Michael Hunter, son of the last named, born
Mar. i8th, 1800; Master Cutler, 1852; died Mar. 15th, 1886.
Also of Michael Hunter, J. P., of Greystones, Sheffield, and
Stoke Hall, Derbyshire, son of the last-named Michael Hunter,
born Feb. 17th, 1821 ; died Dec. 8th, 1898; for 22 years
member of the Town Council of Sheffield, from 1876- 1898;
Alderman from 1886 to 1898 ; twice elecfted Mayor, 1881-
1882; Master Cutler in i860; Trustee of this Chapel from
1864 to 1898; and a Town Trustee. The above four genera-
tions of the same name were cutlery manufacT:urers in
Sheffield, and were esteemed and respecfted by their fellow
townsmen. They were life-long and devout attendants at this
place of worship.

" ' The Righteous shall be had in everlasting Remem-
brance.' Psalm cxii., 6.

" ' They rest from their labours and their works do follow
them.' Rev. xiv. 13.

" This Tablet was erecfted by the widow of the last-named
Michael Hunter, in the year 1899."
K

l62 UPPER CHAPEL.

The first Michael Hunter here recorded started business as
a cutler in the Wicker. He married Rebecca, daughter of
Anthony Chapman. She died in 1767, aged 36. Their son,
the second Michael Hunter, was also a cutler. He married
twice. His first wife, as explained above,' Elizabeth Girdler,
w^as the mother of Joseph Hunter, the antiquarian. His
second wife was Mary, daughter of Charles Smith, and widow
of James Battersby. They were married in 1797. Their son,
the third Michael Hunter, was also a cutler. He married,
30th April, 1820 (at the Sheffield Parish Church) Miss Mary
Shaw. Tlieir son, the fourth Michael Hunter, was the late
Alderman. He was born in the Wicker, and was educated
first at Spurr's school in the Wicker, and then at Milk Street
Academy, under Mr. Abram. He left school at the age of
13-14, and went into the cutlery works of his father, passing
through the workshop to the office ; in the meantime acquiring
a practical knowledge of his business. In 1844, and onwards,
his father was immersed in the public life of Sheffield. Hence
greater responsibility devolved upon Michael, junior, in the
conduct of the business. Its rapid development evinces his
pracftical sagacity. Not only did he carry on the family
business at Talbot Works, Savile Street, but for many years
he was senior partner in the late firm of Wilson, Hawksworth,
Ellison, and Co., Carlisle Works. In i860, at the age of 39,
he was elecled Master Cutler. In 1861 he was gazetted to a
lieutenancy in the newly incorporated Artillery Volunteers.
In 1876 he was elecfted a member of the Town Council, for
Brierhtside, from which time to his death he was a member of
the Council. He was elecfted Mayor 1881-2, and re-elecfted
1882-3. The photograph here reproduced represents him at
this time with his chain of office. He was elecT:ed Alderman
in OcTiober, 1883, and was thrice re-elecfted. He sat as a
member of the Board of Guardians from 1876 to 1894, being
Chairman for six years. In 1885 he was made a Borough
Magistrate, and in 1887 County Magistrate for the West
Riding. He was also Magistrate for Derbyshire. In 1888 he
was elecfted Town Trustee. When made Mayor, he insisted
that "Corporation Sunday" should be observed at his own

1 See p. 8G.

Alderman Michael Hunter, J. P.

PERIOD IV. — SECTION II.— I 875- I9OO. 165

place of worship. It had been the custom, when a Noncon-
formist was elecfted Mayor, to observe " Corporation Sunday"
at the Parish Church, a service being held at his own chapel
on the following Sunday. Mr. Hunter introduced a startling
innovation, at which some professed themselves much
scandalised. The service was attended by a crowded congre-
gation, and the Rev. Eli Fay preached an excellent address
from the text, Rom., xiii., i, "The powers that be are ordained
of God.'' The Vicar of Sheffield, the Rev. Canon Blakeney,
D.D., in his sermon that day deeply deplored the departure
that was made from the prevailing custom. His remarks
being published in the daily paper, gave Mr. Fay an oppor-
tunity for a vigorous reply and remonstrance against some of
the statements and assumptions of the Vicar. The event
caused no little stir in the town. Mr. Hunter's example was
followed by most of the subsequent Nonconformist Mayors.

His attachment to Upper Chapel was deep and strong.
He was elecTted Trustee in 1864, and was Chairman of
Trustees at his death. His faith was that of an earnest and
religiously minded man, fixed in the cardinal teaching of
Christ, the Fatherhood of God, and the brotherhood of man.
In business matters he was noted for thoroughness and
integrity, and in public life for his staunchness to principle
and independence of charadler. He was President of the
British and Foreign Unitarian Association, 1883-4, ^.nd was a
Trustee for many of our chapels. All things Unitarian had
his consistent and energetic support. He married Martha,
daughter of Mr. J. W. Hawksworth. They had three sons —
John Henry (born 1851 ; died in Sydney, 15th July, 1889) '■>
Charles Stephen, M.A., LL.B., barrister-at-law (born 2nd
July, 1858 ; died i8th January, 1892) ; and Michael Joseph,
who is now Chairman of Trustees at Upper Chapel. Mr.
Hunter acquired Stoke Hall and estate in 1884. He was
buried at Stannington, 12th December, 1898.

The Rev. Eli Fay was succeeded by the Rev. John Binder
Bland, B.D., who settled in Sheffield in 1884. Mr. Bland
was a Yorkshireman by birth, having been born at Halifax
27th March, 1842. While still a youth he went to America
and followed the occupation of a dyer in Plymouth, Mass.

l66 UPPER CHAPEL.

Having a desire to enter the ministry, he spent one year in the
Harvard Divinity School (i 870-1), and received at the end of
that period the degree of B.D. After some years of ministerial
life in America he came to this country, and was invited to
accept the pulpit of the Vidloria Street Church, Loughborough,
He settled there in 1883, and during his three months' occupa-
tion of it he filled the chapel with overcrowded congregations.
In February, 1884, he recei^'ed an urgent call to the pulpit of
Upper Chapel. On February 25th a public meeting was held
in the Town Hall, Loughborough, at which most of the
resident ministers of the town, together with large numbers of
the townspeople, were present to bid him farewell. His
services in Sheffield proved even more attractive than in
Loughborough. He had great popular gifts, and crowded
congregations filled the chapel, more especially at his evening
leiflures. Mr. Bland was a Freemason and a strong advocate
of the temperance cause. He began his ministry on the first
Sunday in March, 1884, preaching in the morning from
Ps., cxxii., I, and in the evening from Mark, xii., 28-31, an
address upon Unitarianism. In 1888 he sent in his resignation.
His ministry terminated August 31st, when he returned to
America.

An interregnum of about twelve months followed, during
which the pulpit was supplied by different ministers. On 30th
April, 1889, the Trustees, with the consent of the congrega-
tion, sent an invitation to the Rev. John Edmondson
Manning, M.A., of Swansea, to become their minister. This
was accepted, and between the acceptance and his settlement
in Odtober the pulpit was occupied by the Rev. T. W.
Freckelton. The following notice of Mr. Manning, the
present minister, is taken from the Students' Roll of Man-
chester College, Oxford : — " Entered the College (then Man-
chester New College, London) as a Divinity Student, 5th
Ocflober, 1868. Left 1875. Previously Queen's College,
Liverpool, 1866-68. B.A. (Lond.) 1872; M.A. (Lond.) 1876.
Hibbert Scholar, December, 1873 — December, 1876 (Leipzig,
Ocftober, 1875-6). Minister at Swansea, 1876-89; Upper
Chapel, Sheffield, 1889 — . Visitor and Examiner in Hebrew
and Greek, Presbyterian College, Carmarthen, 1878-88;

Rev. J. E. Manning, M.A.

PERIOD IV. SECTION II. 1875-I9OO. l6g

Visitor Unitarian Home Missionary College, 1892-94; Tutor
in Old Testament, Hebrew, and Philosophy, Unitarian Home
Missionary College, 1894 — •"

In 1879 Mr. Manning married Emma, youngest daughter
of the late Mr, G. B. Brock, of Swansea.

Mr. Manning is the author of " Jesus of Nazareth," ten
lecftures, Swansea, 1882; "On the Study of the Old Testa-
ment," Manchester, 1895; "The Newly-discovered Sayings
of Jesus, viewed in relation to the development of do(ftrine in
early Christian Literature." Manchester, 1897; "Jerome and
the Vulgate," Manchester, 1899 (Addresses at the opening of
the Sessions of those years of U.H.M.C.) ; "The History of
Upper Chapel ;" " A Good Puritan Woman ;" " The Wise
Virgin " (an account of James P'isher's book), Sheffield, 1900.
Also of various pamphlets, sermons, and addresses ; " The
Open Door," a sermon preached at the annual meeting of the
British and Foreign Unitarian Association, 1896; "Seeking
God and finding Him," an address preached at the quarterly
meeting of the South Wales Unitarian Association, 1885 ;
" The Church of England, how and when it was Established
and Endowed," Swansea, 1885 ; " Darwin and Darwinism,"
Swansea, 1882 ; " The Prophet Daniel;" " The Poets and the
Flowers ;" " Is Jesus Christ Almighty God ?" " Footprints of
the Creator," &c.

In 1896 an attempt was made to revive the services at
Fulwood. After the death of Joseph Evans in 1798 the pulpit
was occupied by the Rev. Joseph Ramsbotham (1798- 1802).
In 1802-3 it was again supplied (by Mr. Naylor) from Upper
Chapel. In 1803 the Rev. Wm. Whitelegg became minister
until 1 810. From that time the following ministers occupied
the pulpit in succession: — 1810-17, Rev. G. W. Elliott;
1817-27, Rev. John McDonald, a Calvinist (appointed chiefly
through the exertions of the Rev. James Bowdin, minister of
Queen Street Congregational Chapel) ; 1827-73, Rev. Hugh
Garside Rhodes (died 15th December, 1873). From the death
of Mr. Rhodes the chapel had been closed. In 1896 the
Trustees put it into thorough repair, and on Sunday, June 7th,
it was opened with every prospecfl of a successful continuation
of the services. The chapel was crowded, a fair proportion of

lyo UPPER CHAPEL.

those present being residents at Fulwood. The services were
continued every Sunday afternoon during the summer months
by the Revs. J. E. Manning and John ElHs, assisted by lay
preachers, but with diminishing attendances. They were
renewed in 1897 ^^'^ i8g8. The inhabitants of the place, how-
ever, showed no disposition to support the cause, and in the
autumn of i8g8 it was resolved not to continue the services.

In 1897 a Chapel Roll-Book was instituted. The want
of a record of persons who have been members of the chapel
had often been felt, and it was resolved to remedy the defecTt
by procuring a Roll-book, in which all existing or future seat-
holders, or any persons, not less than eighteen years old, who
have attended or shall attend the services for not less than six
months, were invited to sign their names, as a token of their
membership of the congregation. The signatures of many
past members were procured from their families or friends, and
were inserted, forming thus an interesting record. The
inscription at the beginning of the Roll-book runs : — " We,
the undersigned members of Upper Chapel, Sheffield, desire to
unite for the worship and service of Almighty God."

The Hymn Book. — In the year 1893, ^ "^^w hymn book,
to replace Martineau's " Hymns for the Christian Church and
Home," which had long been in use, was adopted, being the
Berwick Hymnal, with additions and alterations, and a
supplement of favourite hymns from the old book.

In the year 1897 the Triennial National Conference
of Unitarian, Liberal Christian, Free Christian, Presbyterian,
and other non-subscribing or kindred congregations met in
Sheffield on the 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th of May. This was the
sixth meeting of the Conference, and proved in every way a
complete success. The sermon was preached by the Rev.
Stopford A. Brooke, M.A., LL.D., on the evening of the 6th
April. His text was Luke, xvii., 21, "The Kingdom of God
is within you." An immense congregation gathered to hear
him. At the Communion Service on the same evening,
condu(5ted by the Rev. Brooke Herford, D.D., upwards of 600
persons partook. Between 700 and 800 attended the regular

1 In 1808 the endowment was lost through the failure of the Messrs.
Roebuck, bankers.

PERIOD IV. SECTION II. 1875-189O. I7I

sessions of the Conference in the Montgomery Hall, and some
1500 were present at the public meeting in the Albert Hall.
About 2000 were present at the conversazione in the Mappin
Art Gallery. Mr. James R. Beard, J. P., acfted as President of
the Conference ; Mr. Michael Hunter, J. P., as President of
the Sheffield Reception Committee ; Mr. Herbert Bramley,
Town Clerk, Chairman of Committee and Hon. Treasurer ;
Rev. John Ellis and Mr. Benjamin Greaves' as Hon. Secre-
taries ; Mr. G. H. Hunt, Hospitality Hon. Secretary ; Mr.
W. R. Stevenson, Music Hon. Secretary. The Channing
Hall was placed at the service of the local committee by the
Trustees of Upper Chapel, and was used as a central bureau
for ministers and delegates. The total number of ministers
and delegates was 431, while many others attended in a non-
representative capacity. All the arrangements were admirably
carried out, and the Conference was one of the most successful
since its establishment at Liverpool in 1882. The following
papers were read : — " The deepening of the Spiritual Life of
our Churches,'' by Rev. W. E. Addis, M.A. (Nottingham), and
Rev. Joseph Wood (Birmingham) ; " Ministerial Superannua-
tion," Mr. J. Cogan Conway (Ringwood) ; " The means of
recruiting our Ministry," Rev. J. E. Manning, M.A. (Sheffield);
" The Place of Immortality in Religious Belief," Rev. J. Estlin
Carpenter, M.A. (Oxford) ; " International Arbitration," by
Mr. Hodgson Pratt. A conference was held on " Women's
Work, Religious and Social," over which Mrs. Manning
presided.

The Bicentennial of the Chapel (1700-1900) — On the
1 8th July, 1899, a meeting of the congregation was held in
Channing Hall to consider the suggestions made by a prior
Sub-Committee as to the best means of celebrating the
Bicentenary of the Chapel. It was ultimately agreed (i) that
a History of the Chapel, written by Mr. Manning, should be
published ; (ii) that the Vestry should be enlarged ; (iii) that a
Tablet should be placed in the vacant niche over the choir
stalls containing a copy of the inscription on the tombstone of
Timothy Jollie, together with an inscription referring to the
Bicentenary ; (iv) that special meetings should be held in the
1 Died 26th February, igoo.

172

UPPER CHAPEL.

autumn of 1900 to celebrate the occasion; (v) that the neces-
sary funds be raised by subscription among members of the
congregation. The cost was not to exceed ^500. These
various matters are now (May, 1900) in an advanced state of
completion. The History is in the printer's hands ; the Vestry,
under the direction and according to the designs of Messrs.
Gibbs and Flockton, is almost finished ; the inscription on the
Tablet is being cut by Mr. Frank Tory ; arrangements are
being made for the autumnal meeting ; and almost the whole
of the necessary funds are in hand. The following is a list of
subscribers to the Bicentennial Fund : —

Mr. Edward Atkin
Mr. Thomas Atkin
Mr. F. Barnes.
Miss Beckett.
Mr. A. Beckett.
Miss A. Bennett
Mr. E. Bennett.
Mrs. G. E, Bennett.
Mrs. Bramley.
Mr. E. Bramley.
Mrs. Blazeby.
Rev. Wm. Blazeby.
Mr. A. H. Dalton.
Mr. A. Dufton
Miss Dunn.
Mrs. Eadon.
Mr. H. Fisher.
Mr. J. Figorski.

Mrs. Gibbs.
Mrs. Glossop.
Mrs. Greaves.
Mr. Greaves.
Mr John Haynes.
Mr. A. |. Hobson.
Mr. G. H. Hunt.
Mrs. Hunter.
Mr. M. J. Hunter.
Mr. J. Hill.
Mr. H. E. Ibbitt.
Mrs. Jackson.
Mr. Wm. Johnson.
Mr. J. Kirby.
Mr. E. Langton
Mrs. Wm. Laycock.
Mr. Wm. Laycock.
Mr. Jas. Laycock.

The members of the Senior Class also made a joint contribution.

The enlargement of the vestry has been done by extending
one side four feet into the chapel yard, and by the addition of
a large bay window, making the extreme dimensions 22 feet
square (as compared with the former 18 feet square). The
floor has been entirely relaid with wood blocks on cement
concrete : it is over a portion of the old grave-yard, and a
complete record of the graves so covered has been kept. The
prevailing idea has been to give a pleasing effecft in keeping
with the old-fashioned surroundings. This has been success-
fully achieved by retaining the old sash windows with new^
leaded lights, and encasing the old doors with classically

Mrs. Manning.
Rev. J. E. Manning.
Miss Matthews.
Mr. H. J. Morton.
Mr. Wm. Nicol.
Mr. F. W. Pearson.
Mr. M. Pearson.
Mr. E. S. Robinson.
Mrs. Slagg.
Miss E. C. Smith.
Mr. G. C. Snaith.
Mrs. Stevenson.
Mrs. R. J. Walker.
Mr. R. J. Walker.
Mr. Wm. Ward.
Mr. Wm. Watts.
Mr. H. Watson.
Mr. G. Wragg.

PERIOD IV. SECTION II. 1875-I9OO.

173

moulded architraves and cornices, the chimney-piece being
especially elaborated with a dentilled pediment and Pavonazzo
marble slips and silvered glass mirror panel. The stove is
surrounded by green tiles. The lighting is by pendant elecTiric
light globes from the ceiling, and the ventilation is by fresh air
inlets in the walls and an electric extracting ventilator in the
roof.

INSTITUTIONS, MONUMENTS, OFFICERS, &c.,

Connected with Upper Chapel.

'"PHE Sunday School. — There is a large and flourishing
^ Sunday School in connection with Upper Chapel, but it
is now impossible to say when it was first established. The
early minute books have all been lost, and there is no tradition
to help. No school is marked on the plan of the chapel
property made in 1790. Yet the school must have existed, for
there was a flourishing Sunday School in Dr. Philipps's time
(1805-37), and it is known that it existed before he came to
Sheffield. There is a reference to the Sunday School in the
tabular analysis of statements of our anti-trinitarian congre-
gations printed in the Debates on the Dissenters' Chapels Bill,
1844 (Appendix No. 14, p. 443, note 6), where it is stated,
" Schools built by present congregation where 200 children are
taught. Improvements contemplated, but deferred on account
of uncertainty of law." From that time onward the number
of children has varied from 200 to 400, with 20 to 40 teachers.
The school has educated some thousands of useful citizens,
and many valuable and flourishing institutions have grown
out of it. During the first half of the present century the
teaching given was of a pracftical kind, not confined to religious
subjecfls, but including reading, wTiting, &c., and many
Sheffielders of a former generation owed all their education,
both secular and religious, to Upper Chapel Sunday School.

A very useful adjun(ft to the Sunday School is the Sick
AND Savings Society, founded in September, 181 7, and
carried on with most beneficial results ever since. Any
teacher or scholar of the school, or any member of any of its
connecfted institutions, may join the society. Contributions to
the Sick Fund are one penny per week, but deposits to any
amount may be made in the Savings department. No member
is entitled to benefit from the Sick Fund until after six

INSTITUTIONS, MONUMENTS, OFFICERS, ETC. 175

months' membership. Sick members receive 2s. 6d. per week
for six weeks, and is. 6d. for nine weeks longer. In case
of death the parents or friends of the deceased receive £i, £i,
or los., according to the time deceased was in membership.
At the end of each year the balance of the funds, after all sick
and death claims have been paid, with a certain sum also kept
back as a reserve, is re-distributed amongst the members,
in proportion to the amount paid by each. The steady growth
of the society and the magnitude of its operations may be seen
from the following statistics, taken from an elaborate analysis
prepared for me by Mr. Thomas Ridge, the present colledlor.
Unfortunately the books pre\'ious to 1S41 are not to be found.
In 1849-50 (the club year is from OcT:ober to September in
the following year) the amount received from 64 boys was
£10 17s. yd. ; in 1 850-1, from 55 boys /"g 3s. 6d., and from the
girls (number not known) £11 i6s. yd., making a total of
£21 OS. id. In 1882-3, from 105 boys ;,^87 17s. 4d., and 116
girls ^"104 14s. 3d. ; total, £1^2 iis. 7d. In 1898-9, from 106
boys ;^85 3s. 3d., and 87 girls ^55 14s. 2d. ; total, ^130 17s. 5d.
The largest sum ever collected in a year was in 1 890-1, from
128 boys ;^io6 I2S. 6d., and 134 girls £gg los. 8d. ; total,
;^2o6 3s. 2d. The dividend varies according to the amount of
sickness and the number of deaths. In 1853-4 i^ was 4s. out
of the 4s. 4d. contributed in 52 weeks. In 1898-9 it was
3s. 6d.

The first collecTior mentioned is Mr. Paul E. Fisher ; other
names are Messrs. Robert Marsden, F. Dale, E. M. Gibbs.
The present colledtors, Mr. Thomas Ridge (since 1872-3)
and Mrs. Ridge (since 1879) have devoted themselves with
unstinted zeal to the welfare of the club. The present officers
are : — Mr. John K. Lister, treasurer ; Mr. and Mrs. Ridge,
colle(51:ors, assisted by Miss Mary Wilson ; Mr. J. Dungworth
and Mr. A. D. Belcher, auditors ; Mr. Richard Fisher and
Mrs. Ridge, visitors ; Mr. E. M. Gibbs, trustee.

From this invaluable institution has also sprung the
Moody Sick and Savings Club, carried on for the benefit
of adults, and on a more elaborate scale (upwards of 1000
members in 1900), but on the same principles of yearly
distribution.

176 UPPER CHAPEL.

At the present time the following societies are connecSled
with the Sunday School : — The Senior Class, meeting on
Sunday afternoons for a short religious service and discussion
of papers on religious subje(fls. Leaders, Mr. Moody and Mr.
Dungworth ; hon. secretary, Mr. Walter Short. The Young
Peoples' Religious Union, meeting on Wednesday evenings,
also for religious service and discussion of papers, its motto
being " Truth, Worship, Service." Leaders, the members in
rotation ; hon. secretary. Miss Constance Lismer. The
Guild of Good Endeavour and Band of Hope, intended
for the younger children, meeting on Tuesday evenings.
Leaders, Mrs. Mince and Mr. E. E. Chitty, assisted by Sunday
School teachers. The Sewing Guild meets in the winter
months under the superintendence of Mrs. Manning, and
makes up left-off garments into clothes for the poorer children
in the Board Schools.

In 1 88 1 the existing accommodation of the school was too
small for the various activities of the place, and Channing
Hall was built for congregational and Sunday School
purposes. The children assemble on Sunday morning and
and afternoon in the hall for a short preliminary service. The
elder classes then go to their separate classrooms, while some
of the junior classes remain in the hall. A systematic plan of
teaching is carried on throughout the school. The lessons for
each Sunday (morning and afternoon) are fixed by the
President, and printed on the monthly Calendar, and once a
month he holds The Minister's Class, to discuss with the
teachers the various subjects to be taught during the month.
At the end of the year an examination is held, and prizes are
awarded according to merit.

The present officers of the Sunday School are : — President,
Rev. J. E. Manning, M.A. ; superintendents, Mr. William
Laycock (temporary) and Miss Conroy ; hon. secretary, Mr.
Belcher; assistant secretary, Mr. Chitty; treasurer, Mr.
George H. Hunt.

On the wall of the library there is a memorial tablet with
the following inscription : — " This tablet was erecfted by the
teachers and scholars of these schools in memory of the late
Francis Morton, superintendent general, who ' though being

Mr. Francis Morton.

INSTITUTIONS, MONUMENTS, OFFICERS, ETC. 179

dead, yet speaketh.' Died 06\.. xviii. mdcccxxxv." Mr. H. J.
Morton, now living at Scarborough, son of this Francis
Morton, tells me that his father was acftively engaged as
general superintendent as far back as he can remember (he is
now 81). He says: — "Both my brothers, Charles and
Francis, were teachers, and I was one up to leaving Sheffield,
which was in 1834 °^ '35' ^'^Y fether used to go down to the
school every Sunday." The accompanying portrait of Mr.
Francis Morton is taken from a pencil drawing by William
Cannon, of Wakefield, brother to the Rev. Patrick Cannon,
minister of Westgate Chapel (1834-7), successor to the Rev.
Thomas Johnstone.

Mr. Charles Hinde was also engaged with Mr. Morton in
the duties of superintendent. In the chapel is a tablet with
the following inscription : — " In memoriam of Charles Hinde
who died Otft. 30. 1856 aged 56 years. He was a zealous and
pious member of the Congregation, and especially useful in
the Sunday School, of which he was for many years a diligent
superintendent. He was interred at Stannington, to which
village he extended his Christian labours. ' Go thou and do
likewise.' This tablet is ere(51:ed by the Congregation,
Teachers and Scholars as a testimony of their respedl:." There
is also a commemorative tablet to Mr. Hinde in Underbank
Chapel, Stannington.

In addition to the Sunday School and the various institu-
tions connected therewith, there is a Ladies' Sewing Society,
which meets monthly to make garments for the poor.
Subscribers receive a ticket for each half-crown subscribed, to
be given to poor persons, who, upon presentation of the ticket,
receive an equivalent in garments. Hon. secretary, Mrs.
Manning. There is also a very successful Literary Society,
which meets fortnightly during the winter months, when
papers are read by members or ledlures are given by special
le(51:urers. A dramatic evening is held once in each session.
Annual subscription, one shilling. Hon. secretary, Mr. William
Laycock. The Postal Mission distributes a large quantity
of Unitarian literature through the post. Advertisements are
inserted in the local and other papers, and correspondents are
supplied with books, pamphlets, and sermons, gratis ; questions

l8o UPPER CHAPEL.

are answered, and information concerning our literature,
churches, and institutions is given. Hon. secretary, Mrs.
Manning.

Ministers who have been connected with Upper
Chapel and its Sunday School. — The Rev. John Cuckson
first became conne(fted with Upper Chapel in 1862, he being
then seventeen years of age and taking much interest in the
Sunday School and the Senior Class. He was born in
Sheffield in 1845; educated (1865-8) at the Unitarian Home
Missionary Board (as it was then called), having entered for the
ministry at the Rev. Brooke Herford's suggestion. On leaving
college he was appointed minister at Hamilton Road Church,
Liverpool, where he remained from 1868 to 1873, and during
this period he also ac'led (i 870-1) as missionary at the
Liverpool Bond Street Domestic Mission. In 1873 he
removed to Birmingham, where he did good work as minister
of the New Hall Hill Church (1873-81). In 1881 he settled at
Bradford (Chapel Lane), where he remained until 1884. Then
he removed to Springfield, Mass., U.S.A., and remained there
until 1892. In 1893 ^^^ ^^^ invited to succeed Brooke Herford
at Arlington Church, Boston, which he has resigned this year
(1900).

The Rev. William George Tarrant, B.A., came to
Sheffield in 1878 from Birmingham, where he had been
connecfted with the Church of the Saviour (George Dawson's).
His stay in Sheffield, though brief, was eventful, inasmuch as
it was his connecftion with the Rev. Eli Fay that decided him
to enter the ministry. He took an acTtive part in the Sunday
School and the Mutual Improvement Society connecfted with
the congregation. He entered the Home Missionary College
(under the Rev. William Gaskell, M.A.) in 1879, and left in
1 881 for Manchester New College, London, where he remained
until 1883. He was Tate Scholar, 1880-3 ') took his B.A.
London, 1883. The same year he settled at Wandsworth,
where a chapel was built in 0(5tober, 1885 ; a schoolroom being
added in 1887. By his acftivity and ardour Mr. Tarrant has
gathered round him a zealous band of workers, and is now
minister of a thriving cause. He is the author of " The

INSTITUTIONS, MONUMENTS, OFFICERS, ETC. l8l

Beginnings of Christendom ; " " Our Faith : Studies in
Rehgion ;" "Daily Meditations ;" " Night unto Night."

Mr. Herbert John Rossington, B.A., who completes his
theological course at the Unitarian Home Missionary College
this year, was for several years previous to his entrance to the
college connedted with the Sunday School, and took a
prominent part in the Literary Society connecfhed with the
chapel. He began his collegiate course in 06tober, 1894;
took his B.A. (Victoria University) in i8g8; held the Durning-
Smith Scholarship for two years, 1897-8; was appointed
Hibbert Scholar in 1900. He intends, as Hibbert Scholar, to
study for a year in Germany before settling in the ministry.

Lay Preachers connected with Upper Chapel. —
Mention must be made of the services of Mr. Charles
Woollen, an old member of Upper Chapel, who, though
connecfted with Upperthorpe Chapel since its foundation,
received the inspiration and stimulus to much useful work as
lay preacher from the Rev. Brooke Herford. He died nth
April, 1898, aged 82 years. In an obituary notice in the
Inqniver, 23rd April, 1898, the Rev. Charles Peach, the minister
of Upperthorpe Chapel, who was very intimate with him,
speaks of him as " one of the gentlest, purest, and noblest
of men. Unfailing courtesy, quick sympathy, and ready
helpfulness, speaking in every acftion as well as in every line
of his face, marked him out in every assembly of men as a
rare, refined, and beautiful soul. With the white of many
winters in his hair, he carried the spring of eternal youth
in his heart. Never doubting, and in a good cause never
wearying, he worked on through all his long life, content
always to take the lowliest place, and satisfied to see the work
prosper, whoever got the praise for it." Mr. Woollen was
originally a member of the Church of England, but became
conne(5ted with Upper Chapel in Brooke Herford's time. He
joined the lay preachers' class, and soon became a regtilar
preacher in the chapels of Derbyshire and South Yorkshire.
He was one of the founders of Upperthorpe. " It was he who,
in company with Mr. Herford, found the original preaching-
room out of which the present Upperthorpe Chapel has grown.

l82 UPPER CHAPEL.

It was in January, 1859, that he and Mr. Herford assisted at
the opening of the room. From that time to his death Mr.
Woollen was the natural head and leader of the Upperthorpe
Congregation, the warm supporter of all its institutions, the
friend of all its ministers. Outside the chapel, political,
educational, and philanthropic work of all kinds found in him
a willing and faithful servant ; and, indeed, wherever there
was good work to be done, there Mr. Woollen would be
found." His wife (who survives him) was his helpmeet and
supporter in all good works. During the last twenty years of
his life, his energies were chiefly directed to Flagg Chapel, and
to his untiring zeal the cause there owes much of its vitality.
" During all that period," says Mr. Peach, " he was solely
responsible for the condu(5l of worship in that little home of
our faith. Aided by brother laymen from Derby, Manchester,
and Sheffield, he kept the lamp of our faith burning clearly up
there in that almost inaccessible Peak hamlet. Officiating
himself every second or third Sunday, he was known and
beloved of every person young and old, rich and poor,
throughout the districft." In 1899 a memorial window was
erecfled in Upperthorpe Chapel to his memory.

The names of other members of the lay preachers' class in
Mr. Woollen's time are Robert Marsden, William Ridge,
Charles Hinde, Brierly Wilde, Stephen Bacon. The following
names must also be mentioned among the band of zealous lay
preachers conneifted with Upper Chapel : — Messrs. Newman
H. Hunt, Samuel Charlesworth, George C. Snaith, Joseph
Dungworth, Walter Short.

Upper Chapel Fellowship Fund. — The following short
history of the Fund was drawn up by Mr. Edward Bramley,
M.A., and read at the annual picnic held at Hardwick Hall,
on the 30th June, 1893 • —

"The Fellowship Fund was instituted in 1839, during the
ministry of the Rev. B. T. Stannus, in order, in the words of
the Minute Book, ' to give assistance to the congregation
assembling at the chapel which there are no other funds to
supply.' Its objecfts were defined shortly as the following : —
(i) To pay the expenses of supply ministers; (2) to pay for

INSTITUTIONS, MONUMENTS, OFFICERS, ETC. 183

printing and advertising in connecftion with sermons and
lecftures ; and (3) to assist other chapels, and aid institutions
appearing calculated to support the cause of religious truth
and liberty. The first two are now, and have for some time,
been dealt with out of the general Chapel Fund. The first
meeting was held on the 17th February, 1839; the first
president was Thomas Asline Ward ; the first secretaries,
Alfred Osborne and William Beckett (names w^e have still
among us) ; and the first treasurer, Joseph Gurney. The
subscription was then, as now, a penny a week. The
institution very soon had 186 members, and commenced by
making grants to chapels so far distant as Aberdeen in
Scotland, Ravara and Comber in Ireland, and Cirencester and
Battle in the South of England. Among other grants made in
the first few years succeeding its formation may be noticed ^3
to the Sunday School for the enlargement of the library, £1^
for erecfting new pews, ;^io to the proposed improvement
at Rotherham, £^ to the choir, £g 9s. for the Chapel House
repairs, £1^ for repairing the chapel, ^10 for mending the
organ, and ^10 for the stoves, and a payment for new hymn
books for strangers. The payment of £2 to the ' Inquirer
Fund' in 1846, and of the expenses incurred by Mr. T. A.
Ward's journey to London to watch the progress of the
Dissenters' Chapels Bill, recall to us landmarks in the history
of our cause. £^ voted for repairing Ashford Chapel did not
permanently succeed in bolstering up the failing fortunes of
this little chapel in the Peak. An interesting item is a grant
of ;^3 in 1844 to procure a steam printing press for Joseph
Barker, a well-known Unitarian lecTturer and debater at that
time, who afterwards embraced Atheistic opinions, and
presumably continued to use the printing press in support of
them. The membership fell off very considerably, and was
less than sixty just before the Rev. Brooke Herford accepted
the ministry in 1855. Mainly through his efforts it was soon
raised to 200, with an annual income of nearly ^"50 to
administer. It may be mentioned that up to now the collecftors
had been all males, but in 1863 a newer and better order of
things was instituted, and lady collecftors have been the rule
ever since. Grants were made about this time to Poole

184 UPPER CHAPEL.

Chapel in Dorset, and Newbury in Berks, and £^ was given
to assist in starting the Unitarian Herald. The only other item
that need be noticed is the payment of the cost of obtaining a
copy of the Chapel Register of baptisms and burials,' and of
binding it ; the original Register having, according to the
requirements of the law, been sent to Somerset House.
Latterly, grants, on the ground that charity begins at home,
have been confined more to chapels within our own distri(5t,
and have not varied much from year to year. The member-
ship is now about one hundred, a great deal less than it ought
to be, and the usefulness of the fund is somewhat hampered by
the smallness of its income." Subscriptions are paid annually
from the fund to the Manchester College, Oxford ; the
Unitarian Home Missionary College, Manchester ; the York-
shire Unitarian Union ; and the local Postal Mission.

The Monuments in Upper Chapel. — Monuments have
been ere(fted to the following : — William Fisher,^ Nathaniel
Philipps, D.D. ;2 John Rutherford, surgeon, died October 3rd,
1789; a brass to Edward Bramley,- solicitor, and first Town
Clerk of Sheffield, and his wife, Fanny Grace, daughter of
Thomas and Ann Mason, of Hull ; Richard Greaves, died
April 26th, 1835; William Greaves, died May 12th, 1830, and
Anne Greaves, his wife ; Ann Matthews, born December 21st,
1812, died June 23rd, 1897 ! John H. Hunter, died 15th July,
i88g; a brass to Charles Stephen Hunter, born 2nd July,
1858, died 1 8th January, 1892 ; Charles Hinde,^ died 30th
October, 1856 ; Michael Hunter- (four generations of the same
name) ; Samuel Dalton, died September 6th, 1853, and Harriet

1 This is Timothy Jollie's Register, from May, 1681, to July, 1702;
continued by John Wadsworth, Odober, 1721, to December, 1744; by
Thomas Haynes, from 1745 to 1758 ; by Joseph Evans, John Dickinson,
and Benjamin Naylor, 1758-98 ; by Benjamin Naylor, 1799-1805 ; by Rev.
WilHam Whitelegg, minister of Fulwood, August, 1805, to January, 1806;
by Nathaniel Philipps, April, 1806, to June, 1807 ; together with a
supplementary register of baptisms by Joseph Evans, 1759-87. And,
further, a register of funerals at Upper Chapel, 1812-36. According to
the Minute Book of the Fellowship Fund, 21st March, 1869, a grant of
^"4 gs. was made in order to procure a copy of this Register ; a sum (not
stated) was also voted for binding it.

2 These monuments will be found in the body of this work, under these
names.

INSTITUTIONS, MONUMENTS, OFFICERS, ETC. 185

his wife ; John Bagshaw. This last is a very handsome
marble monument, with the following inscription in Latin : —
" H. S. E. Johannes Bagshaw, Hochelatensis in pago
Derbiensi ; religione pura, matrem erga superstitem pietate,
ingenii atque morum suavitate, acumine singulari, ac supra
aetatem eruditione, praeter sui ordinis plerosque, nobilitatus.
Qui in academia Edinburgensi (ubi artium liberalium studios-
simus in animo magis quam corpore excolendo se exercebat)
pulmonum, eheu ! tabe affeiftus, in itinere ad suos, spe gloriae
sempiternae in Jesu reposita, ex hac vita demigravit, v.n. Mali
A.c. M.DCC.xxi. aet. An. xx. m. xi. d. xvi. Eliza Clark mater.
Gratia Bagshaw soror atque haeres filio ac fratri unico et
charissimo, H. M. M. F. C. Perge viator, madte nova virtute
esto, sic itur ad astra." Above are the arms of Bagshaw : —
Or, a bugle-horn sable, garnished and stringed vert, between
three roses proper. The inscription may be translated : —
" Here lies buried John Bagshaw, of Great Hucklow in
Derbyshire ; distinguished above most of his rank for purity
of rehgion, for filial piety towards his mother who survives
him, for the sweetness of his disposition and manners, for rare
ability, and for learning beyond his years. While at the
Edinburgh University (where in earnest pursuit of the liberal
arts he devoted himself to the cultivation of his mind rather
than of his body) he contracted, alas, a disease of the lungs,
and on his journey home he departed this life (his hope of
eternal glory being fixed in Jesus) May 3rd, 1721, aged 20
years, 11 months, and 16 days. His sorrowing mother, Eliza
Clark, ^ and his sister and heir, Grace Bagshaw, have ereded
this monument to their very dear and only son and brother.
Wayfarer, pass on ; improve in virtue early begun ; this is the
way to heaven."

Memorial Windows. — Over the choir stalls are two
windows, the gift of Mr. Thomas Jessop and Mr. John
Hobson, one representing Christ opening the eyes of the blind
("According to your faith be it unto you") ; the other, Christ
blessing little children (" Suffer little children to come unto
me, for of such is the kingdom of heaven.") In the gallery,

1 See p. 65.

l86 UPPER CHAPEL.

"The Good Samaritan," erecfled in 1893 t>y Mrs. William J.
Stevenson, with the inscription, " In memory of Eliza Stevenson,
born Feb. 19th, 1806; died June ist, 1881"; and "The Good
Shepherd," ere(5led in 1895 ^Y Mrs. N. H. Hunt, with the
inscription, " I am the Good Shepherd and know my sheep —
John X. 14, in memory of Newman Henry Hunt, who died
January 13th, 1887. Ere(5ted by his widow." In the body of
the chapel, " Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane," inscribed,
"To John Hattersley, d. 20 Sep. 1875, and his youngest
daughter Kate, d. Ap. 25. 1880."

In 1899 five of the ground floor windows were filled with
special designs by Mr. Henry Holiday, of Hampstead ; and
underneath each was placed a brass memorial inscription, (i.)
The Woman of Samaria, with the legend, " The hour cometh
and now is ;" and on the brass, " This window was eredted to
the glory of God, and in affectionate memory of her dear
husband, Robert Thomas Eadon, and her beloved parents,
Robert and Elizabeth Renton, by Helen Simpson Eadon, a.d.
1899. Thy will be done." (ii.) The Soivev, with the legend,
" Some came up an hundredfold ;" and on the brass, " Hanc
fenestram in memoriam Herbert Bramley, urbis huius scribae
vidua maerensposuit, A.D. 1899. Natus i2Maii 1842; obiit 13
Sept. 1897." ["This window was ere(5led in memory of Her-
bert Bramley, Town Clerk of this city, by his sorrowing widow,
A.D. 1899. Born 1 2th May, 1842; died 13th September, 1897.]
(iii.) Feeding the Multitude, with the legend, " That nothing be
lost ;" and on the brass, " This window was erected to the
memory of William Edward Laycock, J. P., and his wife, Jane
Caroline Laycock, of Stumperlowe Grange, Sheffield, by their
loving children, a.d. 1899. Thy will be done." (iv.) The Child
Christ in the Temple, with the legend, " Wist ye not ?" and on
the brass, " This window was erecfted to the memory of Alfred
and Susanna Beckett, of Woodside, Sheffield, by their loving
children, a.d. 1899." (v.) The Pool of Bethesda, with the
legend, " The Sabbath was made for man ;" and on the brass,
" In loving memory of William and Eliza W^ostinholm, by
their son and daughter." The remaining three windows on
the ground floor, which have no central design, were presented
by Mrs. Bramley in 1899. Their groundwork is construcfled

INSTITUTIONS, MONUMENTS, OFFICERS, ETC. 187

of antique glass of various shades of green. These eight
windows, and the five tablets of beaten brass, prepared by Mr.
P. A. F. Alexander, of Hampstead, form a handsome addition
to the chapel.

The Memorial Tablet in the vestibule was erected in
1862, to commemorate the founding of the Chapel (1662) and
the bi-centenary of the passing of the A6{ of Uniformity. It is
a record of the formation of the first Nonconformist Society in
Sheffield, and it gives a list of ministers up to 1862,

The Organ was built in 1866 by Ed. Wadsworth, of Man-
chester. It has three full manuals and independent pedal, 30
stops and tremulant, 4 couplers, and 6 composition pedals.
Previous to the erecftion of this organ in the chamber behind
the pulpit, rhe choir sat in the gallery at the opposite end of
the chapel. The present organist is Mr. Geo. Wragg, who
was appointed in 1875.

Communion Plate. — Two silver chalices, (i.) Chalice,
silver, 4fin. tall, bell, foot. Date letter probably London,
1682-83. Inscription on shield, between handles, " H. N."
This cup is mentioned in Chaffers. It was one in the collecftion
of Mr. R. T. Frere, who, about 1700-10, made a collecflion of
old silver, especially two-handled cups. It is not known who
H. N. was, or how the cup came into the possession of the
chapel, (ii.) Chalice, silver, 5jin. tall, bell, foot, London, date
letter, 1784-85. Inscription on bell, between handles: —

SHEFFIELD
UP" CHAPEL

1785

There is no record how it came into the possession of the
chapel. Two patens, ele(51:ro, 10 in. diameter. In centre of
each, in glory : —

+
I • H • S
A flagon, elecftro, 11 in. high, lid, beak, handle. On front, in
glory ;—

+
I • H -S

loo UPPER CHAPEL.

Present Officers of Upper Chapel. — Trustees : Alfred
Beckett, Joseph S. Beckett, R. R. Eadon, H. Fisher, A. J.
Hobson, M. J. Hunter (Chairman), W. Jessop, C. A. Laycock,
James Laycock, J. G. Lowood, W. Murfin. Committee: Rev.
J. E. Manning, M.A. ; Mrs. Wilham Stevenson, R. Fisher,
G. H. Hunt, William Laycock, F. W. Smith, H. Watson,
William Watts. Hon. Treasurer : J. G. Lowood. Collecftor :
George H. Hunt. Hon. Secretary : Edward Bramley, M.A.
Organist : Geo. Wragg. Chapel-keeper : Joseph Watkinson.

List of Trustees of Upper Chapel from 1704. — On
August 28th, 1699, the ground on which the chapel is built
was conveyed to Joshua Bayes and Feild Sylvester,

On July 22nd, 1 701, a Justices' Order was granted that the
chapel may be used for religious worship, according to the A(5l
of Parliament for exempting Protestant Dissenters from
certain penalties (cf. facsimile, p. 51). On November 25th,
1704, Feild Sylvester (survivor of Bayes and himself) conveyed
the land and the chapel to the first Trustees, who were : —
Thomas Hollis, junior, citizen and draper of London ; John
Brown, gentleman ; William Stead, mercer ; Samuel Shore,
William Burch, Jonathan Smith, Benjamin Kirkby, Luke
Winter, Joseph Fletcher, cutlers ; Joseph Sanderson, Samuel
Sanderson, tanners ; John Crooke, the younger, tallow
chandler ; and the said Feild Sylvester, gentleman, all of
Sheffield.

On September ist, 1743, Samuel Shore and John Crooke,
the surviving Trustees, appointed as Trustees : — Samuel
Shore, the younger, gentleman ; Gilbert Roberts, fadlor ;
Henry Hall, the younger, cutler ; Joseph Turner, shearsmiih ;
Godfry Wigfall, facftor ; Nathaniel Mears, shoemaker ; George
Crooke, Samuel Kirkby, butchers ; Thomas Bridges, hatter ;
John Millner, tinman ; Nathaniel Walker, gentleman ; all of
Sheffield.

On December 21st, 1763, Samuel Shore, the father, Henry
Hall, Godfry Wigfall, Nathaniel Mears (then of York
Buildings, Middlesex), George Crooke, Samuel Kirkby, and
Thomas Bridges, surviving Trustees, appointed as new
Trustees : — Samuel Shore, the son, of Norton, esquire ; Joseph

INSTITUTIONS, MONUMENTS, OFFICERS, ETC. 189

Roberts, merchant ; Samuel Hall, cutler ; John Girdler,
grocer ; Francis Haigh, mercer ; Samuel Staniforth, linen-
draper ; all of Sheffield.

The minister's house at this time is mentioned as being in
the possession of the Rev. John Baines.

On December 27th, 1786, Samuel Kirkby, Samuel Shore
(of Norton Hall), Samuel Hall, and Samuel Staniforth, the
survivors, appointed as new Trustees : — John Shore, William
Shore, bankers ; Samuel Staniforth, the younger, linendraper ;
Samuel Kirkby, the younger, Joseph Swallow, cutlers ; John
Kitchen, shoemaker ; James Shemeld, Henry Hall, Richard
Loy, cutlers.

On July 2oth, 1821, Samuel Shore (late of Norton, then of
Meersbrook), John Shore (then of Scarborough), William
Shore (then of Tapton), and Samuel Staniforth (formerly the
younger), the survivors, appointed as new Trustees : — John
Shore, the younger, banker ; Thomas Asline Ward, of Park
House, merchant ; Edward Nanson, brewer ; James Kirkby,
of Little Sheffield, silver plater ; Samuel Lucas, junior, of
Bolsover Hill, Ecclesfield, refiner of silver ; William New-
bould, of Broomhill, merchant ; John Fox, fork manufadlurer ;
William Fisher, haft presser ; John Favell, surgeon ; all of
Sheffield, unless otherwise stated.

The minister's house at this time is described as formerly
in the occupation of the Rev. J. Baines, afterwards of Ralph
Gosling, then of Daniel Holy.

On November 30th, 1837, John Shore (late of Sheffield,
banker, but then of Saint Thomas, Upper Canada, British
America), T. A. Ward, E. Nanson, W. Newbould (then of
Intake), William Fisher, and John Favell (then of Ackworth
Moor Top, Yorkshire), the survivors, appointed as new
Trustees : — Offley Shore, of Norton Hall, esquire ; Luke
Palfreyman, gentleman ; John Ryalls, gentleman ; James Fox,
merchant ; William Renton, tailor ; John Fisher, accountant ;
John Hobson, scissor smith ; all of Sheffield.

The minister's house was then occupied by C. Flory.

On May 24th, 1864, T. A. Ward, O. Shore, J. Ryalls, J.
Fox, W. Renton, J. Fisher, and J. Hobson, the survivors,

igo UPPER CHAPEL.

appointed as new Trustees : — -Thomas Jessop, merchant ;
Wilham Fisher, merchant ; William Edward Laycock, hair-
seating manufacturer ; John Beckett, colle(fl:or ; Michael
Hunter, the younger, manufacfturer ; Robert Marsden, scale
cutter ; all of Sheffield.

On June 14th, 1881, J. Ryalls, J. Hobson (of Tapton
Elms), Thomas Jessop (Endcliffe Grange), W. E. Laycock
(Stumperlowe Grange), Michael Hunter, the younger (Grey-
stones), and Robert Marsden (Tapton Grove), the survivors,
appointed as new Trustees : — William Jessop, of Forest Hill,
near Worksop, gentleman ; Harry Fisher, Tapton Mount,
commercial traveller ; Robert Thomas Eadon, Tapton Ville,
saw and steel manufacfturer ; Newman Henry Hunt, Norfolk
Row, stock and share broker ; Joseph Shaw Beckett, Green
Lane, saw manufacfturer ; Michael Joseph Hunter, Greystones,
merchant and manufacflurer's clerk ; William Murfin, the
younger, Tapton Grove, carrier's agent ; all of Sheffield, except
William Jessop.

On January 29th, i8gi, W. E. Laycock, M. Hunter, W.
Jessop, H. Fisher, J. S. Beckett, M. J. Hunter, and W. Murfin,
the survivors, appointed as new Trustees : — Alfred Beckett,
Robert Renton Eadon, merchants and manufadlurers ; Albert
John Hobson, gentleman ; Charles Albert Laycock, hair-
seating manufacliurer ; James Laycock, mechanical engineer ;
John Grayson Lowood, merchant and manufad^urer.

Of the above, W. E. Laycock died in 1895 ^^'^ M. Hunter
in 1898.

The Trustees of the Westbar property have, except about
i860, always been the same as the Trustees of the chapel and
the Pepper Alley estate. At that time one or two persons
were appointed Trustees of the Westbar property who were
never Trustees of the Pepper Alley estate, and vice versa.

List of Secretaries from 1821. — William Fisher,'
appointed 25th September, 1821 ; resigned 30th November,
1837. James Fox, appointed 30th November, 1837 ; resigned
14th September, 1843. Alexander Renton,^ appointed 14th

1 T. A. Ward was appointed joint secretary.

2 John Fisher was appointed September, 1S43, to assist.

INSTITUTIONS, MONUMENTS, OFFICERS, ETC. IQI

September, 1843 ; died 1848. John Hobson, appointed 28th
July, 1848; resigned ist December, 1854. Edward Bramley
(first Town Clerk of Sheffield), appointed ist December, 1854 >
died 12th March, 1865. William Fisher and Herbert
Bramley, appointed joint secretaries 27th March, 1865; the
former resigned 1867 ; the latter, 26th January, 1885. Edward
Mitchell Gibbs, appointed 26th January, 1885; resigned i6th
April, 1886. Albert John Hobson,^ appointed i6th April,
1886 ; resigned loth March, i8gi. William Laycock,
appointed loth March, 1891 ; resigned 22nd March, 1893.
Edward Bramley, appointed 22nd March, 1893.

List of Treasurers from 1821. — John Shore,^ junior,
appointed 25th September, 1821 ; resigned loth July, 1826.
William Fisher, appointed loth July, 1826 ; resigned 30th
November, 1837. James Fox, appointed 30th November,
1837 ; resigned 14th September, 1843. Alexander Renton,
appointed 14th September, 1843 ; died 1848. John Hobson,
appointed 28th July, 1848; resigned ist December, 1854.
Edward Bramley, appointed ist December, 1854; died 12th
March, 1865. William Fisher, appointed 27th March, 1865 ;
resigned 13th January, 1879. John Hobson, appointed 13th
January, 1879; died 20th February, 1889. Michael Hunter,
appointed 12th March, i88g; resigned i6th April, 1891.
Harry Fisher, appointed i6th April, 1891 ; resigned 22nd
November, 1899. John Grayson Lowood, appointed 22nd
November, 1899.

1 Resigned secretaryship of Congregational Committee loth March,
1S91, and secretaryship to Trustees 8th May, 1893, when Mr. Edward
Bramley, already secretary to committee, was appointed also secretary to
Trustees.

- The old minutes are very incomplete. There is a minute of Mr.
Shore's appointment, and nothing is said about him afterwards. On the
loth July, 1826, T. a. Ward was appointed treasurer, and there is a note
that he declined to a.A. In 1S37 ^ resolution was passed thanking Mr.
William Fisher for his services as secretary and treasurer for the past
sixteen years. Probably while secretary he performed what work there
was for the treasurer to do, and Mr. Shore's duties were nominal.

192

UPPER CHAPEL.

List of Ministers of Upper Chapel.

James Fisher 1662-1666

Robert Durant 1669-1679

Richard Taylor 1679-1681

Timothy Jollie 1681-1714

Jeremiah Gill, assistant 1689?- 1697

John Wadsworth, assistant 1701

John de la Rose, assistant 1714

John Wadsworth 1 715- 1744

Timothy Jollie, junior, assistant 1715-1720

Daniel Clark, assistant 1720- 1724

Benjamin Roberts, assistant 1724- 1740

Field Sylvester Wadsworth, assistant 1740- 1758

Thomas Haynes 1745- 1758

Joseph Evans 1758- 1798

John Dickinson, assistant 1758- 1780

Benjamin Naylor, assistant 1780- 1798

Benjamin Naylor 1798-1805

Nathaniel Philipps, D.D 1805-1837

Bartholomew Teeling Stannus 1838- 1852

Thomas Hincks, B.A 1852-1855

Brooke Herford 1856- 1864

John Lettis Short 1865- 1874

William Henry Channing 1875

George Vance Smith, B.A 1875- 1876

Thomas Wilson Scott 1875- 1876

Eh Fay 1876-1883

John Finder Bland, B.D 1884-1888

John Edmondson Manning, M.A 1889-

INDEX OF NAMES.

3, 36

Ashe, John . .
Aspland, Robert

Bacon, S.
Bagshaw, John
Bagshaw, Wm.
Bagshaw, Mrs.
Baines, John . .
Balguy, John
Barbauld, R. . .
Barbor, Gabriel
Barker, Joseph
Barlow, Francis
Bateson, Richard
Baxter, Nathaniel
Baxter, Richard
Bayes, Joshua
Bayes, Samuel
Beard, James R.
Beckett, Alfred
Beckett, Alfred (Trustee)
Beckett, John
Beckett, Joseph S.
Belcher, A. D.
Bidle, John . .
Billingsley, John
Bland, J. P. ..
Blazeby, William
Bloome, Matthew
Bowdin, James
Bowes, John . .
Burbeck, Thomas
Burch, William
Bradbury, Thomas
Bramley, Edward
Bramley, Edw. (Hi
Bramley, Herbert
Bramley, Mrs. H.
Bretland, Thomas
Bridges, Thomas
Bright, John . .
Bright, Stephen
Brooke, S. A.
Brown, John . .

Calamy, Edmund
Cannon, Patrick
Cannon, William
Capper, Rebecca
Chandler, Samuel
Channing, W. H.

PAGE

182

1S5

38. 40

64
188

95
80

183
49
68

II, 48, 68

49, 187

.. 171

187, 190

123, i8g

187, 189

176

165

113

16, 29

169

3. 7

188

38,55
121

182
186

Sec).
157-161,

158, 186
68
63, 188

170

179

136

Chantrey, Francis L.
Charlesworth, Samuel
Chitty, E. E.
Clark, Daniel
Clarke, Matthew
Clarke, Samuel
Clegg, James. .
Conroy, Miss
Creswick, James
Crisp, Tobias
Crooke, John
Cuckson, John

Dale, F.
Dalton, S. ..
Dawson, Abraham
Dawson, Joseph
Dickinson, John
Doddridge, Dr.
Dungworth, Joseph
Durant, Robert 3, 7

Eadon, R. R.
Eadon, R. T.
Eames, John . .
Eddowes, Elizabeth
Elliott, Ebenezer
Elliott, G. W.
Ellis, John
Emlyn, Thomas
Evans, John . .
Evans, Joseph

Favell, John . .
Fay, Eli
Firmin, Thomas
Fisher, H.
Fisher, James
Fisher, John . .
Fisher, Paul . .
Fisher, Richard
Fisher, Wm., Sen.
Fisher, Wm., Jun.
Fisher, Mrs. Wm.
Fishwick, Henry
Fletcher, Joseph
Fletcher, Rebecca
Flory, C.
Fox, John
Frankland, Richard

PAGE
lOI

.. 182

176

60, 64

.. 63

65, 73

176

.. 58

3, 188

.. 180

•• 175

184

.. 79

•• 79

.. 78

175. 182

20-24, 32

155- 189

155. 189

•• 77

120

169

170

.. 65

.. 38

. . 79-86

140-149
.. 65
187, 189
3. 15-20
.. 189

•• 175
175, 187
148, 189
148, 189

.. 148
32, 60

.. 188

•• 57

194

UPPER CHAPEL.

PAGE

Freckelton, T. W. .

.. 166

Freke, William

• 65

Frere, R. T. . .

. 187

Gaskell, Holbrook .

102

Gibbs, E. M

• 175

Gill, Jeremiah

38,46

Gillntt, Joseph

. 127

Girdler, Elizabeth .

Girdler, John

. 18S

Gordon, Alexander .

7.38

. 48. 79

Gosling, Ralph

. 189

Greaves, Benjamin .

• 171

Greaves, Richard

. 184

Griffith, George

28, 30

Grosvenor, Benjamin

• 37

Grundy, John

Gurney, Joseph

. 183

Hadfield, George

. 107

Haigh, Francis

. 188

Hall, Henry . .

. 188

Hall, Samuel

. 188

Hancock, Rowland .

17, 29

Hatfeild, Alexander

Hatfeild, Anthony .

Hatfeild, Elizabeth .

Hatfeild, John

Hatfeild, Martha .

19, 20

Hatfeild, Ralph

Hardy, James

• 59

Harris, George

95. 105

Hattersley, John

.. 186

Haynes, Susannah .

80, 85

Haynes, Thomas

67. 7°. 75"78

Hedworth, Henry .

.. 05

Herford, Brooke

111-114

Hester, Giles. .

43. 46

Hewley, Sarah

106

Heywood, Oliver

3. 5. 28, 35

Hincks, Thomas

Hinde, Charles

•• 179

Hobson, A. J.

187, 189

Hobson, John

152, 185, 189

Hollis, John . .

Hollis, Thomas

24, 187

Holy, Daniel. .

i8g

Hunt, George H.

171, 187

Hunt, N. H. ..

1S2, 186, 189

Hunter, H. Julian .

.. 89

Hunter, Joseph

70, 72, 80,

85, 86-92, 99

Hunter, Michael

161-165, 189

Hunter, Mrs. M.

• • 165

Hunter, M. J.

165, 187, igo

Jackson, Robert

• 132

Jackson, Mrs. R.

27, 131

PAGE

Jennings, David

71. 79

Jessop, Thomas 124-132

185, 189

Jessop, W.

.. 189

Jollie, Elizabeth --^S,

40, 60-62

Jollie, James . .

Jollie, Samuel

•• 45

Jollie, Thomas

.. 3,6

Jollie, Timothy

6, 27-46

Jollie, Timothy, Jun.

12, 40,

56, 60-64

Kelsall, Robert

.. 58

Kennet, Bishop

Kirkby, Benjamin . .

.. 1S8

Kitchen, John

.. 188

Laycock, Charles A.

190

Laycock, James

190

Laycock, William . .

176, 187

Laycock, William E.

156, 189

Laycock, Mrs. W. E.

•• 157

Lismer, Constance . .

.. 176

Lister, J. K. . .

•• 175

Locke, John . .

•• 3. 89

Lowood, J. G.

187, 190

Loy, Richard

.. 188

Lucas, Samuel

189

Mann, Horace

•• 143

Manning, J. E.

.. 166

Manning, Mrs. i6g

176, 179

Manning, William . .

.. 65

Mardon, Benjamin . .

.. 132

Marsden, Robert 175

182, 189

Matthews, Ann

.. 184

McDonald, John

169

Meanley, Astley

77.85

Means, J. C. . .

.. 132

Mears, Nathaniel

.. 188

Miall, J. G

•• 55

Millner, John

.. 188

Milne, Richard

.. 58

Milton, John . .

65,68

Mince, Mrs. . .

176

Montgomery, James

.. 108

Moody, W.'H.

.. 176

Morgan, Thomas

.. 9G

Morley, Bishop

Morton, Francis

.. 176

Morton, H. J.

.. 179

Moult, William

38,56

Murfin, W

189

Nanson, Edward

.. 189

Naylor, Benjamin . .

78, 92

Newbould, William..

.. 189

Newcombe, Henry . .

Newton, Isaac

.. 65

Nicholson, Mr. and Mrs.

122

INDEX OF NAMES.

195

Nightingale, Florence
Nye, Stephen

Gates, Ralph
Gates, Thomas
Offley, Joseph
Gsborne, A. . .

Palfreyman, Luke
Peach, Charles
Pell, William
Pepys, Samuel
Philipps, Nathaniel
Piper, H. H.
Price, Samuel
Priestley, Joseph
Prime, Edward

Ramsbotham, Joseph
Rees, Abraham
Renton, Alexander
Renton, William
Reresby, John
Rhodes, Miss Bailey
Rhodes, Ebenezer
Rhodes, H. G.
Ridge, Thomas
Ridge, William
Roberts, Benjamin
Roberts, Gilbert
Roberts, Joseph
Ronksley, William
Rose, John De la
Rose, Samuel De la
Rossington, H.J.
Ryalls, John . .
Ryther, John

Sanderson, Joseph
Sanderson, Samuel
Saunderson, George
Saunderson, Nicholas
Scott, T. W. ..
Seeker, Thomas
Shaftesbury, Lord
Sheldon, Bishop
Shelton, Theophilus
Shemeld, James
Shore, John . .
Shore, Offley..
Shore, Samuel
Shore, U. Lydia
Short, J. L. .
Short, Mrs. . .
Short, W. . .
Simmons, Mary
Simmons, Nevill
Slagg, Mrs. ..

PAGE

117

iS
117

I S3

IS9
181

4
95-100

99. loi

75. 77

3. 7. 16

78, i6g
100
190
1 89

122
122
169

175

1S2

Go, 65

1 88

18S

43. 54

5«

181

3. 1S9

188

140

38
C>5

53
188
117
189
117, 188
117-118
132-136

•• 135

.. 182

63, 68

. . 67-69

PAGE

Smith, F. A

187

Smith, G. V

[37

-140

Smith, John . .

Smith, Jonathan

188

Smith, J. R

Smith, William

106

Snaith, George C. . .

182

Staniforth, Samuel . .

188

Stanley, Dean

139

Stannus, B. T. . . 74,

[O3

-105

Stead, William

188

Ste\'enson, Eliza

186

Stevenson, Mrs. Wm. J. .

186

Ste\enson, W. R. . .

152

Swallow, John

188

Sylvester, Field . . 39,

48.

1S7

Sylvester, Matthew . .

.48

Sylvester, Rebecca . .

Tarrant, W. G.

180

Taylor, John. .

Taylor, Richard

3. 7

. 27

Thirlwall, Bishop . .

139

Thoresby, Ralph

Tindal, Matthew ..

Toland, John

Toller, Thomas

Tucker, Nathaniel . .

Turner, J. H.

'28

. 32

Turner, Joseph

188

Wadsworth, F. S. ..

,65

Wadsworth, John . .

, 59

Walker, Nathaniel . .

188

Ward, T. A i

19.

189

Watkinson, Joseph ..

187

Watson, H

187

Watts, William

187

Whitaker, Thomas . .

Whitelegg, William

169

Wigfall, G

188

Wilberforce, Bishop

139

Wilde, B

182

Wilson, J. W.

Wilson, Mary

175

Winter, Luke

188

Woolhouse, Thomas

. 29

Woollen, Charles . . i

35,

181

Woolston, Thomas..

Wordsworth, Elias .,

Worthington, Hugh

Wostinholm, William

186

Wragg, George

187

Wright, Peter

102

Wright, Samuel

Yates, Abel ..

Yates, James..

BAPTISMS AT UPPER CHAPEL.

/^N page 184, note i, reference is made to the copy of the
Chapel Register of Baptisms and Burials which was
made (1869) when the original Register was sent to Somerset
House. The Register contains the names of many persons
well known in the history of Upper Chapel, and in the history
of Sheffield generally. The names of Bayes, Sylvester, Smith,
Girdler, Simmons, JoUie, Wadsworth, Wordsworth, Shore,
Bridges, and many others mentioned in the foregoing pages,
occur very early in the Register. It is a unique and most
valuable record, and a desire has been expressed by many
who take interest in such matters to see it published. The
limits of this work preclude the publication of it in its entirety,
but the early portion of it is here given, viz., Timothy Jollie's
Register, and its sequel by John Wadsworth, from 1681 to
1744. The names, with the variety in orthography, are given
as they stand in the Register.

UPPER CHAPEL.

A REGISTER OF CHILDREN

Baptised by the Rev. Timothy Jollie, from
the day of his ordination, to july 27, i
and 3 months.

April i8, 1681,

704,' 23 YEARS

Day
Baptised

Christian Name

Child of

I68I

May

16
30

Jonathan
Edward and
Rebecca ...

Joseph Taison...
Thomas Twigg

.. Fulwood.

June

Samuel

Saml. Shepherd

Mansfield.

Aug.

Josiah
Peter and

Wm. Ward ...

.. Sheffield.

Obadiah ...

Robert Dickenson

Fishlake.

John and Mar-

garet

John Trippet ...

.. Sheffield.

Od.

Rebecca

John Rogers ...

.. High Lee.

Dec.

John ...

Saml. Thwaites

.. Sheffield.

John ...

John Baker

Jan.

John

Mercurs. Shimeld

Feb.

Christian

Joseph Smith ...

Mar.

Hezekiah
Elisabeth
Mary

Joseph Smith ...
Ralph Hides ...
John Barber ...

1682

April

Mary

Joseph Yates ...

James

James Shimeld

May

Ruth

Joseph Instis ...

June

Elisabeth

Joshua Bayes ...

Aug.

Dorothy

Jno. Bormforth

.. Fulwood.

Sep.

Anna

Edward Roberts

.. Sheffield.

Od.

Elisabeth

Thos. Wilson...

Nov.

Thomas and

Deborah ...

Thomas Machon

.. Crooksmore

Dec.

Jeremiah

John Baker

.. Sheffield.

Jonathan

Jonathan Smith

Jan.

Elisabeth

Antho. Morris

1683

Feb.

Mary

Mercurs. Shimeld

Anna

Joseph Yates ...

Mar,

Deborah

Danl. Oates ...

.. Chesterfield.

1684

Ap.

Anna ...

Thos. Wilson ...

.. Sheffield.

(sic)

May

Matthew

Matth. Wright

Hanah

Edward

Sarah...

Robert Ellis ...
Joseph Smith ...
Ralph Hides ...

1 The adlual record goes only as far as July 30th, 1702. The other
pages are missing.

199

^-- Ba?,Ld

Christian Name

Child of

Jun.

Anna

Joseph Taison

Full wood.

Deborah

Nichs. Crabtree

. Fishlake.

Aug.

Rebecca

John Ho\v

. little Sheffield.

Joshua

Mr. SI. Ibbetson

. of Leeds at
Hatfield.

Sep.

William and

Joseph

Willm. Turner

. Sheffield.

John ...

Jonat. Smith ...

oa.

Elisabeth

Henry Oats ...

Jan.

Thomas

Saml. Hallows

Glapwell.

Joseph
Nathaniel
Rebecca
Joseph

^lercs. Shimeld
Thomas Twigg
Field Sylvester
John Lee

. Sheffield.

1686 April

Henry

Henry Oates ...

isic)

Lidia ...

Joseph Yates ...

June

John ...

William Turner

Edward
William
Ephraim

John Barber ...
Ralph Hides ...
Joseph Smith ...

Sarah

Saml. Hallows

. Glapwell,

Aug.

John ...

George Car ...

. Sheffield.

Lidia ...

Audree Crabtree

. Fishlake,

Od.

Hanah

Joseph Yates ...

. Sheffield,

Nov.

Hephzibah ...

Rebecca

Rachel

Robert Ellis ...
Jonan. Smith ...
John Curtland

Dec.

Thomas

Thomas Wilson

Jan.

Martha

Joseph Hancock

Feb.

-23

George

Thos. Webster

Stainington

16S7 Apr.

—

Mary

Christian

Saml. Hutchinson .
Joseph Smith ...

. Sheffield,

May

Lemuel

John Swinden

. Bradfield,

Joshua
Elisabeth

Wm. Turner ...
Joseph Clayton

. Sheffield.

June

Thomas

John Morphej'

. Gainsborough.

Elisabeth

Wm. Hall

. Keksby.

John ...

Nics. Matthewman .

. Birly Carr.

Matthew-

Matth. Clayton

. Sheffield.

Sep.

Sarah...

John King

Od.

Martha and

Rachel
Samuel
Thomas

George Barber
Wm. Clayton ...
Arthur Mangey

Hugh

Hugh Hides ...

2oO

UPPER CHAPEL.

Day
Baptised

Christian Name

Child of

Samuel

Robert Darwent

Nov.

Ann

Edwd. Taylor

. Pitsmore.

Dec.

Samuel

Saml. Hallows

. Glapwell.

Thomas

John Lee

, Sheffield.

Jan.

John ...

Joseph Yates

Ann

Samuel Hawk wo"'. ..

. Fulwood.

Feb.

Nathaniel

Jonan. Webster

. Sheffield.

Mary

Jno. Barber

Mar.

Abigail

Jno. Howe

1688 Apr.

Jonathan

Mercs. Shimeld

Samuel

Robt. Staniforth

May

Edward

Wm. Bates

June

Anthony

Antho. Morris

July

Sarah

Sam. Hutchison

Aug.

Hanah

Saml. Thwaites

Elisabeth ...

Fran. Girdler

Sep.

Hanah
Samuel
Samuel

James Barber ...

Robt. Ellis

Wm. Hides

oa.

Thomas

Nevill Simmons

Sarah

Joseph Fo.\

Sarah...

John Curtland

Nov.

Elisabeth

John Wood

Elisabeth

Wm. Turner ...

Ruth

Richd. Marsh

Hanah

Jona. Smith ...

Jan.

Mary

Jonan. Webster

Benjamin

Arthur Mangey

Elisabeth

Saml. Hallows

. Glapwell.

Feb.

Hanah

James Gates

Clarkhouse

Jeremiah

. Thos. Marshal

. Sheffield.

Moses

Moses Springfield

Mar.

George

. Jno. Button ...

Kittons.

1689 May

Mary

. Jno. Birks

. Sheffield.

Martha

. Jos. Smith

John

. Caleb Clayton

June

Samuel

Robt. Salmon...

Elisabeth

. John Lee

Samuel

. Ralph Hides

Aug.

John ...

. George Hutchinson ..

Anne ...

. Benj. Shimeld

oa.

4
24

Joseph
John and

Thomas ..
Sarah...

. Jos. Smith

. Thos. Scargell
. Saml. Webster

20 1

Year „ ^"".y .
Baptised

Christian Name

Child of

Nov.

Timothy

. Wm. Ward ...

Timothy
Mary...

. John Wood
Wm. Salmon ...

James...

. James Hoole ...

Dec.

Ehsabeth

. John Curtland

Samuel

Adam Hawkworth .

Jan.

Benjamin

. Nat. Sadler ...

Feb.

Elisabeth

. Jno. Swinden

Martha

. Richard Marsh

1690 Apl.

John ...

. William Hides

Mary ...

Saml. Hallows

Glapwell.

May

Ann ...
Mary ...

. Jos. Yates

. Anthony Morris

. Sheffield.

Lydia...

. James Oates ...

Timothy

. Geo. Carr

June

Mary...
William

. Jos. Smith

. Josh. Dewsbury

July

John ...
Thomas

. Fran. Girdler...
. — Woodward...

Martha

. Wm. Hall

. Gainsborough.

James...

. James Hoole

. Sheffield.

Susanna

. John Smith

. Attercliffe.

Sep.

Zecharias

. John Arthur ...

. Sheffield.

Martha
Mary ...

. Robt. Ellis ...
Thos. Wilson ...

Nov.

Elisabeth

.. Jno. Smith

Elisabeth

. Andrew Hill ...

John ...

Saml. Roberts

. xVttercliffe,

Joshua
Hanah

. Thos. Marshal
Saml. Hutchinson

. Sheffield

Dec.

Mary ...

. John Lee

Mary ...

. Nevil Simmons

Jan.

Elisabeth

Caleb Clayton

Mar.

Jonathan

. Jona. Smith ...

Elisabeth

. Geor. Fox

1691

Alice ...

.. James Haugh...

Ap.

Timothy
Mary ...

Saml. Thwaites
. Wm. Ward ...

May

Richard

. Richard Marsh

July

Sarah...

. Wm. Woodward

Aug.

Nathaniel

. Saml. Hallows

Glapwell.

Thomas
Benjam.
Mary ...

. Wm. Turner ...
John Curtland
Thos. Scargell

. Sheffield

Hanah

. Francs. Girdler

202

UPPER CHAPEL.

Day

Baptised

Christian Name

Nathaniel ...

Nathl. Bacon

. Glapwell.

Sep.

Timothy

Timothy Jollie

. Attercliffe.

Anna ...

Benj. Staniforth

Od.

Thomas

Jno. Wood

. Sheffield.

Matthias

Christoph. Haslem ..

Martha

Moses Springfield

Matthew and

Joshua

Saml. Roberts

. Attercliffe.

Dec.

Martha

Wm. Bate

. Sheffield.

Jan.

Joshua

John King

Sarah

James Spencer

Feb.

Hanah

Jno. Mandevile

Glapwell.

Mar.

Mary

James Bullas ...

Skinnerthorp

Joseph
Ann ...

Joseph Yates

James Hoole

. Sheffield.

1692 Ap.

Jonathan

Adam Hawksworth ..

May

Hanah

Thos. Handley

. Hall-Car.

Hanah

— Holland

, Sheffield.

Joseph

Josh. Dewsbury

June

Hanah

Wm. Ward

Samuel

Wm. Wadsworth

. Attercliffe.

Aug.

Samuel

Timo. Shirley...

Rotheram.

John ...

Elias Wadsworth

. Sheffield.

Alice

Andrew Hill ...

Bethia

Robt. Ellis

Hanah

Jos. Smith

Sep.

Robert

Wm. Marsland

. Attercliffe.

John

Jno. Bacon

. Heath.

William

Jno. Levet

.. Attercliffe.

oa.

John ...
John ...

Caleb Clayton
Edward Windle

. Sheffield.

Hanah

Saml. Hallows

. Glapwell.

Dec.

Benjamin

Wm. Smith

,. Attercliffe.

Edward

Thos. Marshal

. Sheffield.

Sarah...

Joseph Machon

Mary

Benj. Staniforth

Jan.

Nevil

Nevil Simmons

Mary

James Hoole ...

Feb.

Anne ...

James Wilson...

. Tinsley.

Samuel

Saml. Roberts

. Attercliffe.

Mar.

Mary ...

Wm. Woodward

Ruth

Thos. Wilson...

. Sheffield.

1693 Ap.

Mary

Saml. Thwaites

May

William

Wm. Ward

Elisabeth

Jno. Bradley

203

Ye^-- Bapdsed

Christian Name

Child of

May

James...

James BuUas ...

. Grimesthorp.

June

Sarah

Jno. Smith

. Attercliffe.

June

Joshua

Richd. Marsh

. Sheffield.

Anne ...

George Fox ...

Daniel

Joseph Lee

July

James

Wm. Ashford

Mary

Nichs. Shertlifte

Aug.

Samuel

Jno. Wood

Elisabeth

Joseph Caladine

Bolsover.

oa.

Lidia

Jno. Holland

. Sheffield.

Hephzibah ...

Chris. Haslam

Nov.

James...
Martha

Jno. Nettleton
Jno. Finder

.. Attercliffe.

Sarah

Frans. Girdler

,. Sheflield.

Dec.

George

Saml. Ashford

Grimesthorp.

Elisabeth

Edward Roberts

Mary

Hanah

Mary

Robert

— Crookes

— Cowdale

— Cowdale
Ephr. Nichols

Jan.

John

Rich. Crabtree

Joseph

John Curtland

Feb.

Rebecca

Ralph Wildsmith

Mar.

Mary

Nat. Bacon

Glapwell.

Hephzibah ...

Tare. Fisher ...

1694 ^P-

John

Sarah his D.
Sarah

Browne and ...
Elias Wordsworth .

.. Sheffield

Hanah

Mary

Hanah

Thos. Scargell
Jona. Smith ...
Danl. Meenis ...

May

Theodosia

Saml. Hallows

.. Glapwell

July

William

Henry Whenick

Bolsover.

Aug.

Samuel

Jona. Shepherd

Sep.

Joseph

Sam. Paramour

Elisabeth

Wm. Hunt ...

... Glapwell.

John

James Bullas ...

... Skinnerthorp

oa.

Mary

Jno. Almond ...

... Attercliffe.

Susanna

Jno. Nettleton

Sarah...

Wm. Ward ...

... Sheffield.

Dec.

Mary

Sam Roberts...

Joseph

Leml. Nutt ...

Jan.

William
Timothy

. Nevil Simmons
. Thos. Marshall

Jeremiah

. Josh. Oakes

... Attercliffe

204

UPPER CHAPEL.

Day

Baptised

Christian Name

Child of

Feb.

John ...

,. Wm. Wallace

Sheffield.

Mar.

Andrew

.. Andrew Hill

Hanah

Ephr. Nichols

Samuel

Saml. Hunter...

1695

Matthew

.. James Hoole

Tinsley.

Apr.

Hanah

.. Thomas Wilson

Sheffield.

Elias ...
Jane ...

Elias Wordsworth ...
.. James Hoole

May

Mary ...

.. Saml. Hawks worth ...

Crooksmore.

Hanah

.. Jno. Wood

Sheffield.

Timothy

Saml. Hallows

Glapwell.

June

Elisabeth
Samuel

.. Ralph Hides

.. Luke Winter

Sheffield.

July

Mary ...

.. Joseph Hawksworth...

Aug.

Lidia ...

Edward Roberts

Sep.

Ann ...

.. Ralph Wildsmith

Ann ...

.. Wm. Woodward

John ...

.. John Browne ...

oa.

Frances

.. Jno. Morphey

Gainsborough.

William

:. Thos. Handley

Hall Carr.

Nov.

William

.. Fras. Girdler

Sheffield.

Dec.

George
Anna ...

.. Caleb Clayton

.. Samuel Paramour ...

Jan.

Timothy

.. Jno. Hey wood

Pontefrad.

Feb.

Obedience

.. Chris. Haslam

Sheffield.

Theodosia .

.. Nichs. Shirtliffe

James...

.. Jno. Mandevil

Elisabeth

Allison

I'alterton.

Mar.

James...

Gervase Bellamy

Gainsbro'.

1696

Anna ...

Saml. Thwaites

, Sheffield.

Apr.

Joseph

.. Jose. Smith

May

Martha

.. Jno. Wood

William

.. Jose. Barber

, Darnal.

June

Mary ...

.. — Bilby

, Staley Wood
thorp.

Rebecca

.. Wm. Ward

. Sheffield.

July

John ...

.. Danl. Meenis

John ...

.. Joshua Dewsbury

John ...

.. Jno. Cromwell

. Retford.

Aug.

Alice ...

Geo. Fox

Sheffield.

Hanah

.. Jno. Warbleton

Sep.

Thomas
Elisabeth

.. Richd. Crabtree

.. Wm. Wallace

OA.

Sarah...

.. Abijah Ashton

Joseph

.. Jona. Dickson * ..

205

^- bS:

sed

Christian Name

Child of

oa.

Abigail

Saml. Jenkinson

. Sheffield .

Dec.

Thomas

. Ralph Hides ...

Hanah

. Jona. Smith ...

Timothy

. Jno. Almond ...

Jan.

Hanah

Luke Winter ...

Hanah

. Edwd. Wyndle

Richard

. Saml. Roberts

Feb.

George

. David Fullilove

William
Robert

. Wm. Salmon ...

Mar.

Ruth ...

. Nevil Simmons

Edward

Ratcliffe ...

Rotheram.

Tony — Dr. .

. Thos. Tyger ...

. Beverley.

1C97

Isaac ...
Isabel...
Christian

. Edd. Hancock
. Jona. Hunter ...
. Andr. Hill ...

. Sheffield.

May

John ...

Wood

Dorothy

Hump. Ingman

. Cherrytree hill

Sarah...

. Thos. Marshall

. Shefiield.

June

Anna...

. Wm. Burton ...

. Mill.

Mary ...

Saml. Paramour

. Sheffield.

Mary ...

. Jno. Curtland...

July

George

. Jos. Smith

Ephraim

. James Bullas ...

Skinnerthorp.

Elisabeth

.. James Wilson...

.. Tinsley.

Mary ...

. David Gass ...

. Sheffield.

Aug.

Aaron...

Moses Springfield

George

. Thomas Handley

. Hall Car.

Joseph

. Emanl. Newton

. Sheffield.

Od.

William

. Willm. Wallace

Nathaniel

. Saml. Baxter ...

Gainsborough.

Stephen

. Wm. Ward ...

. Sheffield.

Nov.

Sarah...

. Mrs. Wyld— Posth. .

Dec.

Sarah...

. Dd. Waynwright

Jan.

Francis
Stephen

Cowdal ...
Saml. Hawksworth .

Feb.

Christopher .

. William Allison

. Paltertown.

Jonathan

. Chris. Haslam

John ...

. Mrs. Holland— Postl-

Mar.

Jacob...

. Saml. Roberts

.. Birley Car.

Joel ...

. Jona. Shaw

. Wadsley.

Elisabeth

. Wm. Woodward

1698

Elisabeth

. Edwd. Sanderson

. Sheffield.

Ap.

Sarah...

Hugh Harrison

.. Paltertown.

John ...

. Jno. Warbleton

. Sheffield.

2o5

UPPER CHAPEL.

^^'"^ Baptised

Christian Name

Child of

Apl.

Elisabeth

Jno. Bamforth

. Sheffield.

June

John

Jno. Hough ...

Mary

Robt. Hoole

Joshua

John Browne ...

Thomas

Saml. Roberts

July

Thomas

Thos. Blenerhaysset..

. Attercliffe.

Samuel

Jos. Smith

Sheffield.

Sep.

Hanah

Aldred

Lidia

Wm. Hunt

. Glapwell.

Od.

Elisabeth

Jos. Fletcher ...

Sheffield.

John

Jos. Pierson ...

Lidia

Saml. Thwaites

Danl. and Mary

Danl. Twybell

Brightside.

Sarah...

Danl. Meenis

Sheffield.

Nov.

Joshua

Travis

Nathaniel

Nathl. Hoyland

Dec.

Mary

Jno. Staniforth

Jan.

Sarah

Jose. Sanderson

John ...

Abijah Ashton

Sarah...
Dorcas

Robt. Crookes
Jenkinson

Ezra

Leml. Nutt

Elisabeth

Nevil Simmons

John ...

George Carr ...

Feb.

Mary

Thos. Marshal

Jonathan
Elisabeth

Jona. Dixon ...
Wm. Burton

Mar.

Mary

Wm. Stear

1699

William

Joshua

Ruth

Ralph Hides

Luke Winter

Jona. Smith

Ap.

Elisabeth

Robinson...

Gainsborough.

Thomas

Jos. Pashley ...

Atterclifte.

Sarah

Wm. Wallace

Sheffield.

May

James...

Jno. Bright

Aug.

Elisabeth

Caleb Clayton

John

Jno. Mandefield

Stony Hough-
ton.

Sep.

Sarah...

Jona. Hunter ...

Sheffield.

John ...

David Goss

Timothy

Wm. Pawson

Glapwell.

oa.

Thomas

Jno. Warbleton

Sheffield.

Esther

Wm. Ward

Nov.

Titus

Jno. Almond

Elisabeth

Jere. Waynwright

20'

Year „ ^^.
Bapti

sed

Christian Name

Child of

Dec.

Alice

. Danl. Meenis ...

.. Sheffield.

Rebecca

. Jos. Fletcher ...

Jan.

William

. Wm. Heldrick

Feb.

Joseph

. Jos. Wilson ...

Mar.

Edward

Edd. Hancock

1700

Elkanah

. Jno. Staniforth

Apl.

Jonathan

. Danl. Twybell

Joshua

. Thos. Marshall

Hanah

. Wm. Woodward

June

Caleb...

Hen. Warwick

Euphan

. Wm. Wallace...

July

Susanna

Saml. Roberts

Mary ...

. John Ley land...

Sep.

William

. Wm. Stead ...

Charles

. David Fullilove

oa.

William

. Jon. Turner ...

Mary ...

. Jos. Sanderson

Nov.

Mary an d
Joseph

. Jos. Smith

Abijah

. Jon. Oakes

.. Attercliffe.

Ruth ...

Adam Hawksworth

Dec.

Ebenezer

. Wm. Ward ...

.. Sheffield.

Jeremiah

Dd. Wainwright

John ...

. Jno. Bamforth

Jan.

Elisabeth

. Nich. Shertliffe

Simeon

Emanl. Newton

Feb.

Anne ...

. — Simmons ...

1701 Ap.

Simeon

. Saml. Thwaites

Martha

. Abij. Ashton ...

ir,

Lidia ...

. James Wilson...

May

Lemuel

. Leml. Nutt ...

June

Mary ...
William

. Edd. Sanderson
Cowdal

July

George

. Geor. Lewis ...

Brightside.

Ebenezer

. Jos. Fletcher ...

.. Sheffield.

Helen...

. Danl. Meenis ...

Aug.

Elisabeth

.. Jos. Webster ...

Joseph

Wm. Wallace...

Sep.

John ...
Mary ...

. Saml. Shore ...
Reb. Palmer ...

Hanah

. Jos. Pashley ...

Hanah

Elisabeth

. Nathl. Rhodes
. Ben. Pashley ...

Martha

. Dan. Twybell...

John ...

. Jos. Travis

2o8

UPPER CHAPEL.

Day

Baptised

Christian Name

1702

Od.

Mary

Jona. Dixon ...

.. Sheffield.

Lidia

WilHam

J no. Brown
Wm. Hobson ...

Nov.

Samuel

Elias Wordsworth

Dec.

Sarah

John

Jno. Sanderson
Jno. Staniforth

Mary

Jno. Urwin

Jan.

Robert

Fras. Radcliffe

Stephen

Turner, adult ...

Elisabeth, wife
Ruth, daur. ..

Robt. Blackstock
Do.

Feb.

George
Joseph

Geo. Fox
Jona. Woollen

.. Fullwood

Mar.

John

Chas. Fullilove

.. Treeton.

Luke ...
Caleb

Luke Winter ...
Caleb Clayton

.. Sheffield.

Ap.

William

Wm. Woodward

May

Ruth

Jos. Smith

June

Mary

Joseph
Robert

Jona. Hunter ...

Jos. Leathley ...

Bright ...

James...

Jno. Hough ...

George

Thos. Marshal

July

John

Benjamin

Jos. Sanderson
Eml. Newton ...

This concludes Timothy Jollie's Register — 465 names in all, bringing
it up to page 94, in which there are no entries. Pages 95, 96, 97, and 98
are missing. Page 99 no entries.

2og

A REGISTER OF CHILDREN

Baptised by the Rev. Mr. John Wadsworth, from the

YEAR 1 72 1.

Year Date

Name

Parents Place

1721 Oft. 26

Nathaniel...

Saml. and Hanah Scholes... Sheffield.

Feb. 12

John

William and Hanah Radcliffe

Mar. 16

John

Thomas and — Wilson

Timothy ...

Jonathan and Martha Genn

Thomas ...

Edward Swan

Mary

Richard Lemons

Rebecca ..,

. Joseph and Sarah Wigfall...

Lidia

. John Wyld

1722 Ap. 8

John

. Joseph Hobson

Mary

. Joseph and Sarah Nicholson

John

. William and Martha Towett

May 14

Sarah

. Jonathan Slack

Sarah

. Jeremiah Rollinson ...

Joseph

Lemuel Swinden

June 17

Mary

. Wm. Mallison

Aug. 2

Martha ...

Edward Hancock

Sep. 16

Ruth

. George Watson

Hanah

. Walter Mellar

.Vmeha

. Disney Staniforth ... ... Firbeck.

Oft. I

Anne

. Saml. North Sheffield.

Joseph

. Joseph Walker

WilHam ..

. John and Rebekah Wilson...

Samuel

. Benj. and Esther Barnes ...

Pages 102,

103, 104, 105, 106, no entries.

1725 Nov. 5

John

. John and Sarah Roberts ... Sheffield.

Dec. 25

William ..

. Anthony and Rebekah
Chapman ...

Joseph

. Jonathan Woollen ...

Elisabeth ..

. Moses Springfield

Ruth

. Nicholas Hick

Jan. 13

Sarah

,. Thomas Wilson

Edward ..

.. Stephen Ward

Feb. 4

Mary

. William Ratcliffe

Mar. 6

Jane

. Jonathan and Elisabeth
Slack

Elisabeth ..

,. Josiah Blythe

Jane

. Joseph Hobson

Samuel

. John and Sarah Dodworth...

Mary

. Thomas Barnes

Sarah

.. George and ISIarthaFullilove

UPPER CHAPEL.

Date

Parents

1726 Mar. 31

John

Ap. iS

Anne

Benjamin ..

Mary

May 22

Joshua

Richard ..

June 6

Hanah

Jane

Aug. 5

James

Godfrey ..

Wilham ..

Sep. 7

Hanah

Nov. 17

Hanah

Dec. g

Timothy ..

Jan. 22

Benjamin ..

Feb. 9

Ruth

Sarah

Mary

Mar. 22

Hanah

Mary

1727 Ap. 2

Margaret ..

George

Ephraim ..

Joseph

June 9

WilHam ..

July 27

Dorothy ..

Sep. 27

Jonathan ..

John

OA. 5

Jeremiah ..

Hanah

Nov. I

John

Jan. II

Mary

Joseph

Feb. 22

EHsabeth ..

Mar. 7

Richard . .

Jonathan ..

Lucy

George

Thomas ..

1728 Ap. 2

Jane

May 2

George

Mary

Ehsabeth ...

Daniel

June 27

Lidia

Joshua Taylor
Saml. Leathley
Joseph Spencer
Joseph Robinson
Joshua Travis
Richard Austfield ...
Edward Wyndle
John Green ...
Saml. Kirkby
Robt. Wigfall
Wm. and Anne Hall
John Gibson ...
— Toller
John Haward
Thos. Shepherd

Dodworth
Wm. Hides ...
Jonathan Woollen ...
Benjn. and Mary Swan
Charles and Mary Gibbons
Joseph and Sarah Wigfall...
Edward Roberts
Joseph and Sarah Walker.
Nathaniel Smith
Richard Lemons
John Wyld ...
Jonathan Hart
Edward Hancock
John and Elisabeth Pashley
Robt. and Rebekah Wigfall
Joshua Oaks ...

Willm. Mitchel

Joseph Wilson
John and Sarah Roberts ...
Richd. and Sarah Crabtree
Jonathan and Martha Genn
Benjn. and Esther Barnes...
Saml. and Anne Leathley ...
Nicholas and Sarah Rogers

Webster ...
John Clayton
John Eastwood
James Martin
John Green ...
Thos. and Anne Swinden

Sheffield.

July 25

Ruth

Aug. 22

Samuel

Richard ..

Sep. 4

Moses

Od. 3

Mary

John

Elisabeth ..

Hanah

Nov. I

Hanah

Anne

Dec. 14

Elisabeth .

Feb. 3

John

Hanah

George

Elisabeth .

Winter

1729 Ap. 6

Lidia

Nathaniel .

Mary

John

Hanah

May iG

Samuel

July 24

Thomas .

John

Aug. 15

Mary

oa. I

Joseph

Hanah

Mary

Nov. 3

Fanny

Arthur

Joshua

William .

Joseph

Dec. 3

Mary

Thomas .

Stephen .

Mary

Jan. 8

Martha .

Hephzibah

John

Feb. 5

Samuel

Hezekiah .

Mar. 19

David

Robt. Ratclifle
John Sanderson
Richard Cooper
Moses Springfield ...

Gibson
George Hobson
Israel Crooks
Jonathan Woollen ...
Edward Hancock ...
Thos. Wilson
Samuel North
Wm. Ratclifte
Samuel Mappin
Benjn. Wilson
Benjn. Swan
Benjn. Newton
John Morton
John and Lidia Girdler
Joshua Travis
Robert Wigfall
George Fullilove
Daniel Blythe
Elias Froggat
John Wood ...
Thos. and Anne Swinden
Matthew Bell
Joseph Dod worth ...
Joseph and Elisabeth Ludlam
John Barnes ...
Edward Rhodes
Francis Morton
James Martin
Joshua and Mary Oakes
Robt. Stones...
John and Sarah Staniforth
George Hobson

Gibson
Stephen Ward
John and Mary Waters
Wm. Mitchell
Henry Dutton
John Sparrow
John Clayton

Sharp ...
Robt. Allein

Sheffield.

212

UPPER CH.VPEL.

Place

1730 Ap. 2

Anne

Hanah

Ruth

John

Mary

May 5

Sarah

Hanah

Mary

J Line 2 1

George

Sarah

July 3

David

Sep. 16

Mary

Sarah

Nov.ig

George

Jonathan ...

Dec. II

James

Joseph

Phineas

Jan. I

Hanah

Joseph

Feb. 25

Betty

Mar.iS

Samuel

Hanah

173 1 May 10

Benjamin ...

Jonathan ...

Joshua

Thomas and

Jonathan..

Benjamin ...

June 4

John

Josiah

July 14

Sarah

Sep. 2

Elisabeth ...

Mary

oa. 5

Sarah

Thomas

Sarah

Jonathan ...

Joseph

Samuel

Dec. 23

Christian ...

Jan. 12

John and

Samuel ...

Jonathan ...

Gilbert Roberts

Joseph and Sarah Wigfall...

John Barnes ...

Samuel Newton

Samuel North

Bale

Joseph Nicholson ...

Edd. Bennett

George Wilson

Benjn. Swan ...

Joseph Hick ...

Benjn. and Mary Roberts ...

John Roberts

John Wilkinson

Israel Crooks

Jas. Martyn ...

John and Sarah Dodworth..

John ^Morton...

Joseph and Elisth. Webster

Jas. and Anne Shimeld

Matthew and Hanah Bell ...

Timothy Wilson

John and Mary Waterhouse

Benjn. and Elis. Newton ...

John Sanderson

John and Lidia Sparrow ...

Thomas Wigfall
P>enjn. Dungworth ...
Richd. and Sarah Crabtree
Nathaniel Meers
Daniel Blythe
Joseph Woollen
Joshua Travis
John and Lidia Girdler
John and Sarah Smith
William Smith
Stephen Ward
Slack ...
Robt. and Rebh. Wigfall ...
Wm. Hides ...
Joseph Green

Joseph Rogers

Wm. and Hanah Vickers ...

Sheffield.

Firbeck.
Sheffield.

Longley.
Sheffield.

213

Jan. 14

Ebenep^er ...

Feb. 16

Lidia

Martha

Joseph

Son

1732 ]\Iar.3o

Dter.

Ap. 21

EUsabeth ...

.Mary

John

May 10

Martha ...

June 4

Anne

Benjamin ...

July 6

Kebekah ...

.Vnne

Enoch

Edward ...

Joseph

Hanah

Ehsabeth ...

Aug. 4

Mary

Samuel

Abigail

Sep. 14

Hanah

oa. 6

loseph

Nov. 3

Benjamin ...

Robert

Thomas

Henrietta

Maria

Dec. 3

Sence

Benjamin ...

Thomas ...

Sarah

Jan. y

Sarah

John

Elisabeth ...

Feb. I

Hanah

Samuel

Mar. 2

Ruth

.18

Jonathan ...

Martha

Elisabeth ..

Wm. Ratcliffe

John Wilkinson

Samuel North

Benj. and Mary Roberts ...

John Ashton

Joshua Littlewood ...

Isaac Slack ...

John Clayton

Saml. and Ruth Wadsworth

John Revel ...

GeDrge Hobson

George Fullilove

Joseph and Sarah \Vigfall...

Jeremh. Rawlinson ...

Martin
Edward Rhodes
Enoch Holland
Edward Bennet
Joseph IMiddleton ...
Saml. Newton

John and Lidia Fletcher ...
Jas. Airston ...
John and Lidia Sparrow ...
Saml. and Sarah Roebuck...

Dodwjrth

John Watkin

Joseph Dodworth

John and Sarah Dodworth..

Robt. Stones...

John Unwin ...

Henry Salmon

Joseph and VAis. Webster ...

Amos Staniforth

lioldsworth ...
Robt. Bridges
Benj. Swan ...
Hezekiah Sharp
Wm. and Elis. Cowdale ...
Joseph and Elis. Ludlam ...
Israel and Mary Crookes ...
John Wilkinson
Joseph Mappin
Thos. and Rebh. Millard ...
Nathl. and Anne ]\Iears

Sheffield.

Shirtliffe Hall
Sheflield.

Darnall.
Sheffield.

Grimesthorp.
Sheffield.

214

UPPER CHAPEL.

1733 Mar. 29

Elisabeth ...

Ap. 26

Hanah

May 17

Mary

Esther

Dter.

July II

John

Mary

Benjamin ...

John

Dter.

Sep. 20

Mary

Od. 4

James

Son

Ehsabeth ...

Benjamin ...

Edward ...

Nov. I

Phoebe

Sarah

Hanah

Joseph

Sarah

Dec. 5

Edah

John

Ruth

George

Jan. 12

Benjamin ...

Rawson

Matthew ...

Feb. 3

Phineas ...

Ehsabeth ...

Sarah

John

Elisabeth ...

Mar. 10

Sarah

Ruth

Peter

Sarah

1734 28

Thomas ...

George

Ap. 14

Samuel

Dter.

May 12

John

Geo. and Mary Ragg

Stephen Ward

Joshua Travis

Simon Morton

George Pearson

Nathl. Burton

John and Mary Waterhouse

Joseph and Mary Green

Wm. Kerr

Chapman
Joshua Taylor
Hugh Airston
Joseph and Sarah Wigfall..
Wm. Hides ...
Benjn. and Mary Roberts ..
John and Jane Unwen
Rich, and Sarah Crabtree..
John and Lidia Girdler
Jeremh. Stephens ...
John Pashley
Joseph Woollen
Saml. Mappin
Edward Stansfield ...
Joseph Bromley
John Clayton
John and Anne Genu

Woolhouse ...
Jeremh. Baker

Matthew Bell

Wm. and Hanah Vickers ..

Joshua Littlewood ...

George Kirkby

Jeremh. Crooke

Luke Staniforth

Saml. Norton

Saml. and Ruth Wadsworth

Mitchel
Robt. and Helen Bradbin
John Revel ...
Samuel Marriot
Joseph Waits
Gilbert Roberts

Wm. Hall

John Morton...
■ — Sanderson

Sheffield.

Heley.
Sheffield.

Dobbin Hill.
Sheffield.

Woodseats.
Sheffield.

215

June 7

George

Sarah

James

Hanah

John

July 18

Elisabeth ...

Lidia

Aug. 4

Peninna ...

Betty

Sep. 26

Anne

Thomas ...

Oft. 10

Mary

William

Hanah

Esther

Samuel

Nov. 5

Elisabeth ...

George

James

Dec. 8

Joseph

Feb. II

Timothy ...

Thomas

Dter

735 ]\Iar.28

Mary

Ap. 12

Samuel

May 22

Hanah

June 29

Elisabeth ..

July 14

Elisabeth ..

^lary

Tidia

Thomas

Sep. 6

Sylvanus ..

TVlartha

Rachel

Arthur

Samuel

John

oa. 3

William ..

Sarah

Rebekah ..

John

Joseph

Samuel

Nov. 6

Mary

Joshua Travis Sheffield.

Thos, and Rebekah Mellar..
James Airston

Thos. and Anne Swinden ...
Joseph and Esther Middleton
Saml. and Sarah Roebuck...
John and Lidia Sparrow ...
Steph. and Elis. Ward

Richd. Dod worth

John Watkin...

Robt. Ratcliffe

Thos. Bate

Joseph and Sarah Wigfall...
Robt. and Rebekah Wigfall
Abijah Oaks ...
Phineas Oaks
Robt. Stones

Wm. RadcHffe

Joseph and Elis. Webster ...
Jonn. and Mary Woollen ...
Hezekiah Sharp
Robt. Bridges

Rhodes
Joseph Unwen
Danl. Newton
Samuel Thomson
Joseph Bromley
Jas. Arsdale ...

Mandeville Firbeck

Joseph Mappin ... ... Sheffield.

Nathl. Mears

Thos. Laughton

Simon Morton

John and Jane Revel

Joseph Wilson

Jas. and Elis. Martyn

Henry and Sarah Hall

Jeremiah Baker

Timothy Wilson

Robt. and Abigail Rhodes...

Thos. Wilson

John Roberts

Isaac Slack ...

Saml. Marriot

John Clayton

2l6

UPPER CHAPEL.

1736

Nov. 7

Martha . . .

Saml. and Martha Staniforth

William

Wm. and Ruth Linfit

John

John and Elis. Smith

Sarah

Saml. Newton

David

Wm. and Sarah Vickars ...

Jan. 2

William ...

Saml. Mappin

Elisabeth ...

Joseph Bestall

Feb. 12

Thomas . . .

Wm. Hides

Thomas ...

Thos. and Anne Chapman...

John

Jeremh. Stephens ...

May 4

Elisabeth ...

John and Jane Unwin

Elisabeth ...

Thos. and Elis. Hutton

John

John Stansfield

Mary

Obadiah and Phoebe Bunting

June I

Hanah

Phineas Oakes

Robert

Diggles ...

Saml. and Margt. Shore ...

Thomas ...

Gilbert Roberts

July 15

Thomas
Thomas and

Benjamin Wilson

Thomas Hudson

Rebekah . . .

Saml. and Ruth Wadsworth

Aug. 10

Joshua

Jeremh. Crook

Rebekah ...

Thos. and Rebekah Millard

Jane

Willm. Kerr

Sep. 3

Jonathan ...

Abijah Oakes

William ...

William Radcliffe

Martha

Benjamin Roberts ...

oa. I

Isaiah and

Newsome .

Robert Kemp

Lidia

John Fletcher

Robert

Robt. and Helen Baitin

Mary

George Wragg

Nov . 1 5

Joseph and

Benjamin .

William and .\lice Hasland

George

George Hobson

Sarah

John and Sarah Dodworth..

Jan. 24

Joseph

Robert Wigfall

George

Caleb Clayton

Feb. 6

Mary

Joseph Wilkinson ...

Henry

Henry and Sarah Hall

Robert

Thomas Rials

Josiah

Hezekiah Sharp

Jonathan ...

Thomas Laughton ...

Cotton

John Watkin

Sheffield.

Firbeck.
Sheffield.

Atterclifl'e.
Sheffield.

Abbey Dale.
Sheffield.

217

Year

Name

Feb. 26

Sence

Edward Stephenson

Simeon

William and Anne Vickers..

Mar. 2

Hanah

Samuel Newbold

James

Edward Bennet

Thomas

Clarbrough ...

[737 Ap. 5

Elisabeth ...

Robert Bridges

May 18

Martha and

Mary

Joseph Dodworth ...

Richard ...

Joseph Wigfall

July 9

Ezra

Natl. Sadler

Sep. 9

Hanah and

Lidia

Thomas Wigfall

Mary

John Unwin

Hanah . .

James and Sarah Wilson ...

oa. 9

Thomas ...

William Mappin

Martha

William and Ruth Linfit ...

Elisabeth . .

Isaac and Sarah Slack

Joseph

Joseph Mappin

Nov. 6

Martha . .

Benjamin Wilson ...

Dec. 23

Joseph and

Benjamin .

James Armitage

Jan. 16

Ruth

Stephen Ward ...

George . .

Smith

John

William and Anne Frost ...

Feb. 3

Sarah

Elkanah and Sarah Roberts

Samuel

Samuel and Margt. Shore...

John

Nathaniel Mears

Samuel

Jonathan Hoyland

Ruth

James Smith

Mar. 12

Hanah

John and Ruth Leversage ...

Martha

Robert and Ellis Stones ...

1738 Ap. 9

Matthew ...

Jonathan Woollen

May 16

Margaret . . .

William Kerr

Catharine ...

John Revel

July 13

Elisabeth ...

Benjamin Greenwood

Benjamin ...

William Hides

Elisabeth ...

James Brooks

Thomas ...

Joseph and Elis. Ludlam ...

Sep. 29

Michael ...

John Webster

oa. 26

Hanah

Henry and Sarah Hall

Nov. 2

Benjamin ...

Robert Gibson

Nathaniel ...

Natl. Burton

Anne

Ephraim Bullas

Abijah

John Ashton

Anna

Roebuck

Sheffield.

2l8

UPPER CHAPEL.

Year Date

Name

Parents Place

Nov. 30

Hanah

Joseph Woollen ... ... Sheffield.

Dec. 21

Grace

Samuel and RuthWadsworth

Mar. 2

Sylvanus .

Saml. and Abigail Marriot...

Joseph

Simon Morton

Elisabeth .

. Joseph Holland

1739 Ap. I

George

Jeremiah Crooke

May 4

William .

William Haslam

John

. John Barber

Mary

Littlewood

Margaret .

. Saml. and Margt. Shore ..

James

John Woolhouse

June 13

Thomas

. Robert Wigfall

Samuel

. Isaac Slack

July I

Mary

Scorer

Rotheram.

Samuel

Jno. and Sarah Dodworth..

Sheffield.

E lisabeth

and Mar

y Robert Ellis

Nicholas .

John Morton

John

Archdale

Aug. 3

Joseph

Edward Ratcliffe

John

Trippet

Martha

Joseph Johnson

James

. Stephen Ward

Timothy

. Timothy Wilson

Sep. 4

Richard

Thomas Hancock

Hanah

Thomas and Hanah Newbolc

Thomas

. Richard Dodworth

William

Thomas Bate

Nov. 16

Joseph

. Joseph Leathley

Sarah

James Wilson

Joseph

Joseph Bradley

Charles

William Chapman

Hanah

Joseph Waites

Mary

. John Watkin

Joseph

. Henry and Sarah Hall

Dec. 7

Ruth

. William and Ruth Linfit ..

Rebekah .

John and Mary Wood

Feb. 3

Anne

. George Ragg

John

James Martyn

Elisabeth .

Saml. Smith

Hanah

Charles Chapman ...

Margaret .

Robert and Margt. Wilson.

1740 Apl. 27

Isaac

. Isaac Deerman

May I

Anne

Saml. Smith

Thomas

. Thomas Millard

219

Year

Parents

May 7

x\nne

July 7

Anne

Sep. 3

Jane

Odl. 9

George

Robert

Michael

Elisabeth ...

Elisabeth .. .

Nov. 15

John

Mary

James

Dec. 7

William . . .

Mary

Nathaniel ...

Jan. 6

Martha . .

Mercy . .

Richard and

Northal ...

Anne

Feb. 2

John

Millicent ...

Thomas ...

Anne

Mar. 5

Sarah . .

Alice

Susanna ,.

Hanah

Jane and

Sarah

Son

Elisabeth ...

Thomas

Ap. I

Anne

Elisabeth ...

James

Anne

Samuel

James

Hanah

May 24

Elisabeth ...

July S

Hanah

Sarah

Aug. 24

Anne

Hanah

Mary

John and Jane Milner

Joseph Hobson

Saml. and Margt. Shore ...

George Fowler

Roger Newel

William Hydes

Josiah Sharp

Joseph and Ann Oxley

Henry Hall

John Webster

James Eyre

James Mellar

James Hatfield

John Water

Hancock
Saml. and Ruth Wadsworth

John Pell

Parker

Reuben Hill

George and Elisab. Creswick

William Ratcliffe

Joseph Ashton

Jonathan and Helen Rhodes

Samuel Mappin

John Ashton

Harland

Isaac Slack

Stansfield

Robert Wigfall

Joseph Woollen

James and Anne Armitage ..

Jonathan Woollen ...

David and Anne Lothian . . .

James Fisher

Robert Rogers

John Haigh

Thomas Staniland ...

Joseph Wigfall

Gilbert Roberts

Hancock
Thomas and Han. Newbold
Josiah Oakes
Ephraim and Mary Bullas...

Sheffield.

Darnal
Sheffield.

220

UPPER CHAPEL.

Year Date

Name

Parents

Place

Oct. 3

Susanna ...

John and Jane Milner

Sheffield.

Henry

Nathaniel Hall

Mary

Robert Barker

Sarah

John Dixon

Nov. 1 1

Ebenezer ...

Richard Dodworth

Marianne ...

William Martyn

Dec. 24

Ehhu

Elihu Parker

Jan. 19

Mary

Israel Crooks

Hanah

Alexander Ferguson

March

Ale.\ander...

Archdell

Robert

Robert Wigfall

Hanah

Robert Gibson

Hanah

John Webster

John (posth.)

John Watkin

1742 Ap, 27

Robert

Robert Bridges

Mary

John Soresby

Attercliffe.

Esther

John Swinden

May 21

Wilham ...

Thomas Short

Sheffield.

July 3

Wilham . . .

William Mappin

Mary

Edward and Mary Bennet...

Aug. 17

Aaron

Aaron Laughton

Sep. 2

Joseph

Timothy Wilson

Sarah

James Brookes

oa. 13

Hanah

Daniel Newton

Mary

Pawfreyman ...

WilHam ...

Samuel Hibbs

Nov. 25

Martha ...

James Smith

Dec. 15

John

John and Jane Milner

Rebekah ...

Thomas Hancock

Anne

Robert Wilson

Joseph

Joseph Becket

Jan. 13

John

Thomas Robie

Samuel

Samuel Bains ,

Hanah

Isaac Dearman ,

Christopher

Joseph Beal

Feb. 13

Matthew ...

Joseph Waits

Mar. 15

James Eyre

Adult

Anne

James Eyre ...

. Fullwood.

1743 Ap. 10

Betty

Yates ...

, Long ley.

Sarah

Thomas Newbold

. Sheffield.

Anne

Robert Green

Luke

Benjamin Newton ...

May 30

Thomas ...

Saml. and Margt. Shore ..

Juneii

Abraham ...

Rowen

George

Nathaniel Hall

221

Staniland ... ... Sheffield.

Thomas Rhodes
Elkanah Roberts
Isaac Slack
Joseph Woollen
John Ashton
James Bennet
John Wilson
1744 Apl. 27 John ... Jno. and Jane Milner

Samuel Shore
John Green

The following note is inserted at the end of this
doubt have been forgot and are unregistered, but thi
can be had, and is truly copied from my Hond. Father's own hand Feb.
19. 1745. " F. S. WADSWORTH."

The Commissioners, who caused the copy to be made, add : — " Of the
children baptized from Nov. 1714 to Od. 1721 no Register is to be found."
And : — " Pages 139 and 140 are wanting."

July 20

Richard
Thomas

oa. 14

John

George

Nov. 15

Richard

Daniel

Nancy

Thomas

Apl. 27

John

June 22

John

Dec. 6

Elisabeth

SHEFFIELD

INDEPENDENT PRESS, LIMITED,

PRINTERS, FARGATE.

BOUND TO PLEASE

•^^

p-. SEPT. 66

'^^ N. MANCHESTER,
..T^y INDIANA

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Full text of "History of Upper Chapel, Sheffield; founded 1662: built 1700, a bicentennial volume with ... Timothy Jollie's Register of baptisms, 1681-1744"

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