Richard Life

Richard Life (d. 1818) joined the church at Kettering in 1772 (Kettering Church Book, f. 3). During the summer of 1789, he entered into a dispute with another member of the church, Thomas Burditt, to whom Life had previously been his servant. Burditt passed his business on to Life and another servant and member of the church, Thomas Fisher, but by 1789 he believed that Life had “wronged the partnership” (f. 100).  A committee from the church was appointed to examine the matter, and they concluded that Life had indeed harmed the partnership, but, as the Church Book notes, “they could not obtain positive proof of it, much less could they say to what amount” (ibid). They suggested that Life and Fisher seek arbitrators to resolve the manner, which they did, but the two arbitrators, both from the church, could not reach an agreement. A third arbitrator was applied to, which became the majority of the church. The church decided against Life to the amount of £5, hoping his actions had been done inadvertently (f. 101). He complied and was eventually restored to communion in the church. The church book adds at the end of the account, “This unhappy had for nearly a year divided and distressed the Church. After it was settled, which was on the 25 of November, it was proposed that we should keep a day of fasting & prayer that God would heal every breach and return to bless us. Towards the latter end of January 1790 a day of prayer was kept” (f. 102).