Bampton Church Book-Excerpts 1766-92

Bampton, Baptist Church Records and History 

The following account is taken from the Bampton Church Book, 1690-1911, now belonging to the collections of the Angus Library, Regent’s Park College, Oxford. Special focus has been placed upon the history of John Gould, at one time a deacon in the church but who was charged and convicted of embezzlement of church funds in the early 1790s. His  daughter, Eliza (1770-1810), would marry the radical journalist at Cambridge, Benjamin Flower (1755-1829),  in January 1800. 

In October 1766 the pastor, Mr. Widgory, died (he came there in 1726), and Hugh Evans sent Daniel Sprague from Bristol to supply for the time being (f. 176).  Sprague was asked to stay on for six months.  In January though Sprague was called to the church at Exeter to supply for them.  Sprague returned to Bristol in February 1767 and decided not to accept the call to Bampton, but instead ended up serving at Tiverton (f. 177).    The church then appealed to John Rippon, Sr., for assistance (then pastor at Upottery). Robert Day occasionally preached and administered the Lord’s Supper (f. 177). William Marsh was a member at this time (f. 177), as was a Thomas Loo[?], Ann Snow, Brother Lewis (f. 178). John Stone died (having been baptized in 1704 and a deacon for many years (f. 178).   Ann Quick was charged with drunkenness (f. 178),.  John Gillard administered the communion  on 6 March 1768 (f. 179).  Samuel Rowles from Exeter was asked to supply for the church in July 1767, and he came for six months in October (f. 177).  In March 1768 John Rippon’s father filled in for Rowles (f. 177).   Rippon was there quite often in 1767-68, supplying when Rowles was gone.  Mary Hodge a member, as was John Bristow and Joseph Jutson and Ann Quick and William Larwill[?] (f. 179).  William Marsh, a member, was buried on 8 May 1768 (f. 180).  In May 1768 Rowles declined the call to remain as permanent pastor at Bampton, citing the need for a fixed salary and he felt the church people were “too cold” and “too reluctant in attending upon ye Duties of Religion.  To which our hearts could not but agree” (f. 180).  Rowles, however, continued to supply for them.  James Hill and Humphrey Larwill to call on Rowles (f. 180).  Jane Cash transferred to the church in the Pithay under John Tommas (f. 180).  Sister Joan Roberts buried on 2 June 1768, last person baptized by Mr. Murch (f. 181).  Isaac Sottridge proposed for membership (f. 181).  On 24 July 1768 was buried sister Mary Brooks (f. 182).  Isaac Sottridge sets out for Bristol Academy on 28 August 1768 (f. 182). 

On 18 September 1768, Mr. John Gould and William Escott were proposed for baptism and accepted.  Gould was baptized on the 22nd by Robert Day, who was supplying at that time (f. 183). Gould immediately took an active role in the affairs of the church, being often sent as a messenger to someone in the church in need of church discipline. A Martha Short (now Hill) was found to be with child before her marriage  and Gould and Brother Joseph Jutson were sent to deliver the church’s message to her (f. 183).  John Vossey was another member in trouble (f. 184).  A Bro. Jutson and Hancock are in the church too (f. 184), as is an Elizabeth Bryant (f. 184).  Rowles returned to Bristol and told Hugh Evans the church was not unanimous in his selection as pastor, and Evans then sent a letter to the church informing them of that.  The church responded to Evans by telling him that they were, on a second vote for Rowles, unanimous (f. 184).   Rowles accepted the second call and became the pastor at Bampton (f. 185) and was ordained there on 16 July 1769 (f. 186). Matthew Stone a member at this time (f. 185). Deacons at this time were William and Humphrey Larvill and James Hill (f.  185).  Other members are Thomas Leigh and John Bristow (f. 186). Lydia Larvill withdraws and goes to the church at Tiverton because she was “disgusted both with Minister & People.”  It appears this was William Larvill’s wife, who disagreed with her, stating that “her Objections or cause of disgust is of no weight or importance” (f. 188).  John and Betty Hancock baptized on 12 November 1769 and added to the church on 19 November (f. 188).  Humphrey Larvill chastised by the church for preaching at Uffculme without the church’s consent, something they considered “very disorderly.”  Gould sent to talk to him about it (f. 188).  Larvill admitted he was out of line, and Rowles asked him to preach the next Sunday at Bampton so they could judge of his gifts (f. 189). 

On 25 February 1770, Thomas Quick was discussed, for he had been sent away (presumably to prison) for debt—”To the great reproach of Christ & his Cause amongst Us.  His being out of our reach we could do nothing with him; but it was thought best not to admit Sister Ann Quick his Wife to take her place at the Lord’s Table for the present.”  Bro. Bristow was to inform her of that decision (f. 189).  Ann Bryant (now Dunsford) was dismissed to the church at Tiverton (f. 189) [which Dunsford did she marry?].  Sarah Cook, who had been living at Tiverton, desired readmittance to the Bampton church (f. 189). Ann Sampson (member of the church at Wellington) became a transient member at Bampton (f. 189).  Ann Atkins proposed for baptism (f. 189). Ann Quick responded on 1 July 1770 asking the church why she was to be denied her place at Bampton, and also seeking a letter of recommendation for her husband to a London church.  The Church Book reads, “But as the whole affair stands the same, no Creditor paid or Composition [compensation?] made; the answer was easy:  she could not expect her place while it was so; or her husband a Letter:  At least not as yet.  The honor of Christ & his Cause stands as Stake in such a case & therefore not to be passed over in so slight a way” (f. 190).

On 23 September 1770, Humphrey Larvill was charged with “too great familiarity with a married woman,” and “with being in debt beyond a capacity to pay.”  He had been recently called to be pastor at Kingstanley in Gloucestershire, and he denied the charges and said he had worked out a deal with his creditors and would face his accusers on the charges of the married woman (f. 190).  Much talk had been about town, and the church felt reproached by the incident, even if untrue, and could not give Larvill a letter at present (f. 191).  March 1771 Sottridge still in Bristol (f. 192).  On 4 August 1771 a letter  was read from Thomas and Ann Quick, who had left the church “for insolvency,” desiring a letter of dismission to the church at Maze Pond.  But since the Quicks had brought reproach to the Bampton church, the church needed a statement of acknowledgement and contrition from them before they could send a letter.  The Quicks did send a letter of sorrow and a pledge to pay their creditors, and hence received a letter of dismissal to the church at Maze Pond (f. 193).  That August, Mr. and Mrs. Sottridge dismissed to the Broadmead church in Bristol (f. 193).  William Escott was dismissed for “having a child too soon after marriage: by which it appeared that he had committed Fornication with the Woman.  This very Practice has weakened the Cause & reproached Christ amazingly in this place” (f. 194).  In July 1772 a collection for the Bristol Fund was made, amounting to 8s. 4d. (f. 194).  Stone was readmitted after he appeared before the church and confessed on 29 August 1773 (f. 195). On 10 June 1773, John Gould and Mr. Bristow were set apart as deacons in the church (f. 194).  Thereafter he is often involved in matters of church discipline.

Molly Cook added to the church on 5 September 1773 (f. 195).  On 5 December 1773 Eleanor Voisay jun was proposed for baptism (f. 195).  Thomas Yeandall charged with drunkenness, with Gould and Jutson witnesses to his drunkenness (f. 197). He confessed and was readmitted on 24 April 1774 (f. 197).  Another collection for the Bristol Fund in July of 7s. 2d (f. 198).  On July 24, 1774, Isaac Sottridge was dismissed to the church at Paulton, Somerset, to be their “Minister & Pastor” (f. 198).  Matthew Stone advised on 11 September 1774 not to return to the Lord’s Table because he “had lost his wife and family to the dishonor of  ye   Gospel” (f. 198).  Yeandall, for his drunkenness, and Stone constantly in trouble. Eventually Yeandall is excommunicated for drunkenness and for allowing his son to steal some leather twice from Mr. Gould (f.  199).  [There was a tannery in the late 18th c. located near the Old House on Frog Street, and it is thought a tanner lived at 19 Castle Street, built in 1761 by John Goodman, a sergemaker.]     July 1775—collection for Bristol is 9s. 2d. (f. 200).  On 19 November 1775 Humphrey Larvill seeks a letter of dismission now to the church at Ridgewell in Essex, but the letter was deferred (f. 200).

For the years 1776, 1777, and 1778, there are no entries in the church book, due, it says, to problems arising between the treatment of Rev. Rowles by the church and the deacons. The opening statement reads, “The History of the Church has been lost for almost three years owing perhaps both to the Partiality & Neglect of the present Deacons.  There were some disagreeable Circumstances in all Probability in Mr. Rowles’ affairs which the Church does not wish to have recorded.  There is reason to believe that they treated him not in Character & therefore he properly left them & removed to a Church in Southwark where he is now settled” (ff. 200-201).  Rowles left in early 1776, and the church records pick up again early in 1779 (f. 200-01).  The church was supplied by a Mr. Skinner during some of this time (1776-77). [Samuel Bagster of London knew Samuel Rowles after this.  In his Autobiography (p.  78), he visited him in Chard, near Lyme Regis, in 1783.  He notes that Rowles was married to the former Miss Charlotte Weston.  In Newman’s Rylandia, we find this on Rowles. In a letter from J. C. Ryland in Enfield to his son, John, at Northampton, he writes: “S. Rowles, of Chard, has done worthily against J. Priestley, in a large volume, which ought to be five or six shillings, instead of three-and-sixpence.  Mr. Lepard has lent it me.  I have read it with great satisfaction and improvement.  The matter, manner, and language are all excellent, and beyond the power of a solid answer. The whole Calvinist people are under great obligations to love and thank Mr. Rowles for his manly performance” (147).]Noah Symonds was now the new pastor (1777-81).  He desired to remove from Bovy Mary, and he was ordained at Bampton on 3 April 1777.  It appears that Symonds is keeping the church book now.  He writes, “The Deacons who had the Care of the History of the Church while they were without a Minister promised some Anecdotes from Time to Time which were to be inserted before M.r Symonds began the History as under his Care but he never could obtain these Anecdotes & therefore future ages will be deprived of them; but perhaps not much to their loss” (f. 201).  During 1777 two were baptized, a Benjamin Samson and Pringle Sutton (f. 201).  Symonds writes of 1778, “This year the Church gave a glaring Instance of that Fickleness which is a Reproach in common to Men but much more to christianized Men.  A few well disposed People of the Presbyterian Denomination asked her for Liberty to have the Lords Supper administered to them in the Meeting-House not with the church but as they thought would be most agreeable at a different time & separate . . . . The Question was proposed by her Minister who was very willing to have his Friends of a different Persuasion gratified if he could upon peaceable Terms but he expected to be refused & therefore intended no more than to propose it . . . To propose it merely he thought could not be injurious & as his Presbyterian Friends requested it of him he proposed it .. . . When the Question was proposed, M.r Symonds who was their minister desired the church not to give an immediate Answer but to take some Time for Consideration before they gave it . . . .  Contrary to his expectation they all agreed to it at once & gave their Answer thus (after they had been examined individually) that it was so reasonable a Request that they thought no Time more than the then present Time necessary to make their Answer . . . . They thought particularly as their Minister had no Objection to administer the Ordinance to a People of another Persuasion that they ought not to object to it because he ought to be free in such a Case to do what might please him . . . . He returned their Answer to his Friends who were very grateful & glad that such a candid & Xn like Spirit prevailed amongst them . . . And they went so far as to return their thanks in public[.]  At this Church-Meeting where the Question was proposed & answered there  were three Members absent two of whom declared they thought the Church had done very wrong . . . They foresaw (as they imagined) that the Baptist Interest would be in danger of tumbling down, in Confidence of this  they alarmed their Brethren & they took the Alarm! . . .  When the Time came for their Friends to enjoy the Benefit of their Promise; behold! Their Promise was no more . . . This grieved their Minister to the Heart because upon this he was to refuse his Friends what they with great Reason expected . . . . It ought to be remarked too that his Friends were in such Circumstances as not to be able to go to any other Place . . . Not  able to bear the Reflection of the ill Treatment of his Friends without doing something for them after Matters had been carried to such a Height he determined to administer the Ordinance to them in his own hired House” (ff. 201-02, thought no longer paginated in the Book).

Other names at this time are Mary Googe and John Baker.  Oddly, a Mrs. Rowles (possibly Samuel’s mother?) is dismissed to a church in South Molton in November 1779 [which is odd, because there did not appear to be one at that time].  (f. 203).  In September 1779, Symonds gets in trouble again with a member, Mrs. Jane Larwell, for having a Gentleman into his house to give a lecture to his family upon some “Philosophical Instruments from which she supposed that there had been great Dealings with the Devil under his Roof; but those Dealings proved to be no more than our innocent Explaination [sic] of a few of the Laws of Nature” (f. 203).

The only entry for 1780 reads, “This year has been only remarkable for the Revival of Methodism amongst the people of this church which in all Probability promoted that Disaffection to their own Minister which prevailed from the time of that ill Usage which he received on Account of his Friends of the Presbyterian (or rather Independent) Persuasion which has been mentioned” (f. 203).  The next entry for 1781 reads, “This year a prevailing Disaffection & a pretended Necessity to reduce his Salary which had always been paid very disagreeably & irregular finished our Connexion with M.r  Symonds who gave us Warning on the 30.th of September in order to give up his Services among us at Xmas following” (f. 203).  No entries in the Church Book for the next three years. 

A John Brewer baptized and added to the church by Sprague of Tiverton in 1784 (f. 203).  The records do not pick up again for six years (1787), with the first entry reading:  “the Baptist Church at Bampton hav.g been in an unsettled state for some years & it’s perplexities great the records thereof have been neglected & discipline not attended too.  Being blessed once more with the means of Grace in a regular & stated manner by that worthy minister of Christ, M.r Clarke from London It’s the earnest desire of the members of this Church to have reestablished order & discipline, to watch over one another in the Lord & to record in this Book whatever is transacted for future Inspection.”  (f. 205).    

Symonds left over similar reasons the others did, the lack of unity in the church and frequent turmoil.  The church was supplied by a Mr. Boyce from Bristol Academy  during 1786 until Lady Day 1787.   William Clarke came from London and assumed the pastorate in August 1787 (again, a significant gap in the church records from 1781-87).  The Church Book notes that finally “the Peace of the Church was soon restor’d (which had been long broke) and M.r Clarkes ministry approv’d of” (f. 205).  He did not officially begin until 30 September 1787 when he administered the Lord’s Supper for the first time at Bampton (f. 206). In November 1787 four persons were proposed for baptism:  Thomas Brewer, Mary Short, Hannah Shepherd, and Sarah Parish (f. 206).  A new baptistry had just been built in the meeting-house and it was used for the first time on 16 December 1787 (f. 206). 

In a list of the members for 6 January 1788, John Gould is present, and his wife, but not any of the children.  The other names (and when admitted) are: James Badcock (1736); Mary Stone (1736); Elizabeth Chamberlain (now Shepherd) (1748); Joseph Jutson (1749); Joan Jutson (1751); Mary Chamberlain (1753); Thomas Spurnay [Spurnway?} (1759); Jane Spurnway (now Gould) (1761); John Bristow (1761); Hannah Spurnway (1761); Joan Bristow (1764); John Jutson (1765); Ann B? (now Morse) (1765); Mary Hodge (now Sayre) (1765); Hannah Binny (now Watts) (1766); John Gould (1768); William Escott (1768); Betty Handcock (1769); William Yeandall (1774); William Watts (1774); Benoni Sampson (1777); John Baker (1779); John Brewer (1787); Mary Short (1787); Hannah Shepherd (1787); Sarah Parish (1787) (f. 207). Members at a distance include Elizabeth Spurnway (now Hayne) (1753) in Tiverton; Ann Snow (1746); Martha Short (now Hall) (1765) in Uffculme; Ann Atkins (1770) in Bristol; Eleanor Voisey (now Gower) in London (1773); Elizabeth Jutson (now Odsey  in Taunton (1774); Pringle Lutton at Wellington (1777); Daniel Lake at Bristol (1779); Rev. Symonds at Honiton (1777) (f.  208).

A South Molton church is mentioned in these records at that time. Not paginated after f.200.  A Margaret Shottridge is admitted to the church on 6 January 1788 “formerly a member of Southmolton Church” (f. 208).  Gould as messenger in several instances of church discipline under Clarke.  He baptized Joseph and Sarah Jutson and James Sampson on 22 June 1789 (f. 210).  John Hancock and Elizabeth Jutson baptized on 30 November 1788 (f. 211).  Matthew Brooks baptized on 15 February 1789 (f. 211).  At a church meeting on 26 July 1789, John Gould was designated to line out the hymns with Bro. Sampson leading the singing.   In September Bro. Yeandall absents himself on account of the hymn singing.  6 November 1789 set apart for fasting and prayer (f. 213).  On 20 September this note appears: “Application being made from Exeter thro’ Mr Clarke relative to the appointing persons to meet the other deputies from the protestant dissenting congregations in Devon & Cornwall upon the obtaining a repeal of the test and corporation acts.  Bror Sampson & Bror Bristow were appointed accordingly” (f. 213).  The entry for 7 February 1790 tells us that Bros. Sampson, Bristow, Gould, and Jutson sen had been appointed “to read those Lords days evenings in which there is no public lecture” (f. 214).  On 7 March Ann Dunsford, Elizabeth Yeandall, and Grace Eyles were baptized and received into the church on 28 March 1790 (f. 214).  In November 1790 Mary Stone is baptized and received into the church (f. 214).  The last two entries of Clarke’s tenure are for 25 November and 26 December 1790, of which they read, “no Business” (f. 215). 

Then this bombshell written sometime in late January 1791: “From some very distressing things taking place in our affairs as a church the records have not been rigorously kept But after being served as a church for some years by that worthy Minister of the gospel The Revd Mr Wm Clark who faithfully preached and administered the ordinances to us from August 1st 1787 to Jany 12th 1791.  The grand reason of Mr Clarks leaving was on account of the shameful conduct of Mr John Gould who being a Deacon and acting Trustee it appeared had not acted an honest part in the discharge of his office---His own affairs either through neglectful or fraudulent conduct were become so bad that occasioned his creditors to break the statute against him and so he became a Bankrupt--- During the time of Mr Gould[s] management of the Church affairs which was about 15 years it was supposed by an examination into the Books the Interest had sunk nearly £150 upon Mr Goulds failure and according to his own account he stood in debt to the church £16 and had pawned one of the £50 sale deeds for £30 and had borrowed £22 more and gave a note of hand as for the Churches use---This we judge to be the only reason of Mr Clarks leaving us which to our great grief he did and accepted a call from the Church at Exeter” (f. 215).

20 February 1791--”At a Church Meeting all the Members present took into consideration the conduct of our Br Gould and his wife and appearing upon examination that they had brought a great reproach and a publick scandal upon the profession they had made--by living on the property of others---and also had embezzled the property of the Church---it was thought right for the honour of the gospel to excommunicate them which was done by the consent of all in a very solemn manner.”  At a general meeting called for August 1791, the church invited neighboring ministers to come and offer advice—Rowles, Sprague,Dawson[?], Norman, Rippon, and Thomas were present (f. 216).  Samuel Norman, then at Loughwood,  came to Bampton and became the pastor of the church in summer 1791; he was ordained in 1792 and he remained until 1802. Those signing the church’s letter to Norman are Benome Sampson, John Bristow, William Escott, Joshua Jutson, John Jutson, Joshua Jutson jun,  John Brewer, Thomas Brewer, William Watts, John Baker, and John Hancock (f. 218). 

At the meeting of the Western Baptist Association ministers at Wellington in early spring 1792, “some of our Brethren being present laid the state of our temporal affairs before the Ministers present and it was generaly [sic] received that it was impossible to support a constant Ministry with us without we could pay off our debt  this we could not do without the aid of the Churches abroad---when our Bro Norman came to settle with us things wore a very gloomy aspect being involved in a debt of near £100  But we trust he having the glory of God in veiw [sic] was not discouraged---our case being countenanced by the churches it was agreed that we were under the necessity of asking assistance abroad” (f. 221-22). 

At a church meeting on 26 August 1792, Norman decides that the church should pay the £22 note owed to Mr. Baker, which they do, only to discover that Baker had contrived with John Gould concerning the note, knowing that £8 was going to Gould.  This note appears at the end of this entry: “This may serve as a warning to the present and future managers often to inspect into the temporal affairs of the Church.” Norman proceeded to raise the money owed to Baker, and by 7 March 1794, the debt was paid off. Members names: c. 1791:   Sampson, John Bristow, William Escott, William Yeandall, Josh Jutson, John Jutson, James Brewer, Thomas Brewer, William Watts, John Baker, and John Hancock. James Badcock (1736); Mary Stone (1736); Elizabeth Chamberlain (now Shepherd) (1748); Joseph Jutson (1749); Joan Jutson (1751); Mary Chamberlain (1753); Thomas Spurway (1759); Jane Spurway (now Gould) (1761); John Bristow (1761); Hannah Spurway (1761); Joan Bristow (1764); John Jutson (1765); Ann B? (now Morse) (1765); Mary Hodge (now Sayre) (1765); Hannah Binny (now Watts) (1766); John Gould (1768); William Escott (1768); Betty Handcock (1769); William Yeandall (1774); William Watts (1774); Benoni Sampson (1777); John Baker (1779); John Brewer (1787); Mary Short (1787); Hannah Shepherd (1787); Sarah Parish (1787) (f. 207).