THE BEGINNINGS OF IN to the Church of ; in some instances, indeed, {such as and Waddington), that title seems to hove been almost The early history of Methodism in the Wesleys' h~me cou~ty con dictated by the ecclesiastical authorities, witness the phrase, be greatly enriched from the resources of the Lincoln ~ioce~on "called by the court Independents". Occasionally on presentation Archives. The Toleration Act of 1689 allowed for the registration of the certificate to the court "Independent" seems to have been and legal protection of any "Protestants dissenting from t_he written over or above the word "Methodist", as with " - and the licensing of their pastors. In spite Stollingborough and Swineshead. In other societies a similar of the mobbing of Methodists, was reluctant to reluctance took the form of using the language of the Act about utilize this legislation, claiming that the Methodists were not "Protestant Dissenters" while retaining a dual allegiance {as well "Protestants dissenting from the Church of England". Eventually, as they were able) both to their Metho~is~ society and to t~eir however, in order to secure legal protection, he acquiesced in church. This, of course, is stohshcolly very confusing. this legal fiction, and increasing numbers of the cotto_ge The huge preponderance of Methodist "cottage meeting~" meeting-places of his societies were registered for worship, registered among these certificates, however, was paralleled rn though the licensing of the preachers was greatly reduced by the 1 the diocese, where the bound volumes which preserved them vehement opposition of . were eventually labelled "Methodist certificates", even though Forty years ago, having studied the results of this activity ~n ~he they always included a smaller proportion of certifications from Diocesan Archives in York, I sought to carry out similar other denominations. researches in Lincoln. It so happe ned that at the very time that During the period 1749-1805 Mrs. Varley listed 71 certificates for I first visited the Lincoln Archives, Mrs. Joan Varley, the Baptists, 204 for Independents, and 39 for "Protestant Archivist, was preparing on informative article for The Dissenters", though a large proportion of these lotter two groups Lincolnshire Historian on "Dissenters' Certificates in the Lincoln (as already noted) should be included among the 351 named Diocesan Records", relating their history and analyzing their Methodists. Our own cut-off dote here will be the year of i mportonce in studying denominational distribution. The Lincoln Wesley's death, 1791. The Methodist certificates in Lincolnshire Archives houses over nineteen hundred certificates from almost is for 1758, and none appear to have survived for the yeoi:s five hundred ranging over the years 1740 to 1844. (A 1760-61 1768 while those for 1778-79 were not discovered until further forty-nine were discovered after the publication of the 1957 o~d I hdve been unable to examine them personally. During article in 1949.) There ore three naming Presbyterians, four the 'period 1758-91 I hove identifi~d ~ine groups__ des~ri bing , and 127 Baptists. Two hundred and fifty ore listed as themelves as "Protestant Dissenters without quoh ficohon as "Independents", 729 as Methodists, 841 simply as Protestant Methodists and no fewer than seventy-three "Independents". Dissenters, while a handful bear no identification at all. Altogether' during this some period there ore certificates from about twice as many Methodists as all the other groups added As in York, in many instances the Faculty Books also contain together. entries of such registrations, as for Horncostle in 1758, Holbeoch in 1759, and Langham Row () in 1775; indeed in the We already have a number of books about Methodis_m in major mojoritY. of instances from 1765 onwards there is a duplicate centres in Lincolnshire, and pamphlets and articles about copy {sometimes with major variations, as in Langham) in the Methodist beginnings in many of its villages. Most of the~, Faculty Books, though the facts assembled below ore token from unfortunately, were written without reference to the membership the primary source, the certificates themselves. lists of the and Horncostle circuits {1769-1824) and the Stewards' books for the Horncostle circuit ( 1782-98), or even to The evidence of eighteenth-century Methodist membership lists the doted list of seventy-seven Methodist chapels built by 1811, and Conference Minutes, however, show that many of the as recorded by William Myles, in the 4th edition of his signatories describing themselves as "Independents" were in fact Methodists seeking legal protection without allowing their Chronolo icol His tor of the Peo le called Methodists ( 1813, pp. 433-4 - useful though imperfect. Relatively unknown, however, accepted nickname to be associated with any apparent disloyalty 5 4 are the small Methodist societies meeting in private homes long occasionally preached against Wesley. He appeared in Edinburgh in before the building of distinct "preaching-houses", of which latter 1780, and in 1782 in Execter, when Wesley's Journal noted (Aug. only a relatively small number appear in these surviving 15, 1782), "part of the society have joined him". The same kind certificates. Even in the Victoria County of thing was apparently happening in 1787 in Lincolnshire. That {published in 1906) this valuable resource was not utilized to same year Saunderson presented two other certificates naming underpin the history of nonconformity in the county. himself as "Preacher", and with some duplicated signatories both from the Halton and Alford Methodist societies. In March 1788 I propose to list the relevant Dissenters' certificates however, he certified his own house at for worship b; alphabetically, followed usually by a bare minimum of details Protestant Dissenters, and from that time he seems to have about denominational title, date, and the householder named. disappeared from public view. Modern spellings have been used, and the following abbreviations: I-Independents, PD-Protestant Dissenters, U-unidentified. The Splinte~ religious groups were rife, and there are undoubtedly building was usually described as a house or a dwelling-house, but more hidden away among the Lincolnshire Dissenters' certificates. any varients are noted. The name of the Methodist preacher One other should be mentioned here because of its close links with {"P") is included if he was so described or was a signatory - Methodism, the Countess of Huntingdon's Connexion, a body which usually the most obvious proof of Methodist allegiance in the it seemed might become another major denomination. This is absence of the title itself. revealed by a certificate entered on Jan. 13 and registered on All certificates using the term "Methodist" are included without Jan. 15, 1785, for "the new building called Lady Huntingdon's Chapel situate at the bottom of a yard belonging to Mr. John question, and if no I or PD precedes the entry it may be assumed Dean on the Causeway in Gainsborough". The signatories were that somewhere the group is identified as Methodist. The s tatus Dean, Thomas Jones, John Fletcher, John Cowley, John Negurs, of all those described as I or PD is scrutinized carefully, of Henry Poole, Henry Ward, Robert Kelvey, and William Booth. which an instance may be given. Thus Alford {I, 1786, at the This chapel was not noted in Seymour's two-volume Life and house of Elizabeth Searl), in spite of Myles's evidence of a Methodist chapel there in 1804, is omitted: there was indeed a Times of Selina, Countess of Huntingdon ( 1840), nor is any chapel of this allegiance listed for Gainsborough in the Religious Census Methodist society existing in Alford in 1786, with twenty-six of 1851. members, but the membership list of the Horncastle Circuit shows that none of their names correspond with those of the five It seems desirable to point out that during the later years of signatories, which was therefore adjudged to be a true Wesley's life Lincolnshire Methodism comprised two circuits, Independent society. centred in Epworth {Lincolnshire West, 1766-75) and Grimsby A special instance for e xclusion is Alford {PD, 1787, "a large (Lincolnshire East, 1766-75), with two offshoots, Gainsborough in building heretofore commonly used as a workshop in the 177 6 from Epworth, and Horncastle from Grimsby in 1786. All occupation of John Jackson", which named "Hugh Saunderson, the preachers named hereafter were officially appointed to one of Preacher"). This is another clear case of a congregation these circuits, only rarely for two successive years in the same circuit, though they would probably return to the area again. It apparently organized along Methodist lines, where three of the six signatories were also listed in the local Methodist membership should be noted that then as now a preacher was stationed from summer to summer, so that an entry for May 1769 would in fact roll, beneath which was the contemporary footnote: "The Society above is but poorly. May God be their help." {The prayer was be made during the stationing year 1768. {Although it would apparently answered, because these duplicated members remained have been possible to add the specific dates of the preparation in Wesley's Society the following year.) The problematic factor a nd acceptance of the certificates, this would have unduly here was Hugh Saunderson, who had been stationed as one of cluttered this summary article, just as it would to have described Wesley's fairly popular but erratic itinerant preachers from 1768 a preacher's stationing as 1768-69). During the years 1758 to to 77, but had then desisted to become a freelance, and 1791 well over a hundred different Methodist preachers served in Lincolnshire, about half the preachers in England at Wesley's death. Before the annual Minutes began publication in 1765 the 6 7 signatures on these certificates furnished valuable evidence of (1786, John Abbot, P- Lancelot Harrison, "Minister" preachers' stationing. The first extant records for the 110 [as Wesley's Assistant, equivalent to the present Superintendent societies listed in the membership rolls for the Grimsby and Minister]; 1788, Jane Jackson, widow, "Protestant Dissenters Horncastle circuits - only a fraction of the whole for the county, (commonly called Methodists)" - the parenthetical comment, of course -are noted as "S-1759", etc. Si milady after the relevant according to a subscribed note, being "obliterated as it appears societies we note Myles's dating of their chapels as "M-1801 ", etc. when brought in to be registered"). (S-1784} BICKER {S- 1787} (M-1806} Some Methodist Societies in Lincolnshire BI NB ROOK, St. Gabriel ( 1775, John Ellis, P-Jeremiah Robertshaw}. ALFORD {S-1780), {M-1804) (S-1769} (M-1796) {S-1769) BL YTON (I, 1763, William Roberts, "Robert Empringham, Teacher"2 ; AL THORPE - see , strangely enough, the following year (May 17, 17 64) "Robert {I, 1763, John Ross, "Jon. Catlow, their Teacher; Empringham, Teacher" again certified what seems to have I, 1772, William Mower, P-Thomas Lee; been the same house - possibly after enlargement - along with I, 1772, Benjamin Robinson, P-Robert Empringham). {M-1801} one in , which the Faculty Book (p.273} records ASHBY BY HORNCASTLE (S-1787} thus: "a house lately built by subscription in the parish of ASHBY BY (S-1787) Owston and the house of William Roberts of ... were ASHBY IN BOTTESFORD (I, 1775, Thomas Basker, P-John Peacock; severally certified as places of religious worship for the use of 1776, James Lidgit, P-John Easton; 1777, John Scurbe r, · Protestant dissenters commonly called Independents"; "John Easton, Preach er"). (S-1774} I, 1773, John Hudson, P-Isaac Brown}. (M-1805) (S-1769} BOLINGBROKE (I, 1775, Wm. Roberts, P-John Peacock) (S-1782} (PD, 1788, William Camplin, P-Lancelot Harrison, (William Smith, farmer, 1788, P-James Watson, John Barrett) Jonathan Edmondson). (S-1785} (M-1809) BOSTON (S-1769) (M-1792} BARKWITH, EAST (I, 1772, William Fenwick, "Joseph Garnett, BOTTESFORD - see Ashby in Bottesford Minister of the Gospel"). (S-1774} (S-1791} (PD, 1790, Edward Aby). (SS-1784) . (S-1786) BARROW UPON (I, 1780, "a new erected Chapel now in (1776, William Britton, P-John Easton). (S-1774) (M-1805) the possession of William Wren", P-Robert Wilkinson). (I, 1772, William Mower, "Thomas Lee, Preacher") (S-1769} (M-1780, 1803} BURGH (S-1790} BARTON-UPON-HUMBER (I, 1766, Barn of Thos. Barnes, BURNHAM in ( 1784, "commonly called Methodists", P-Richard Boardman). (M-1802) William Ducker, P-Lancelot Harrison) (I, 1765, William Street, P-Robert Empringham; BURRINGHAM in (I, 1772, Wm. Borman, "Thomas Lee, I, 1771, Benjamin Gooding, P-Robert Empring,am) Preacher"; I, 1782, George Hall, P-William Warrener). (1775, Eliz. Plascot, P-John Peacock). (S-1776} (S-Althorpe, 1781 ) (M-1804} BEESBY (S-1780) (1775, John Snowden, P-Jeremiah (S-1780) (M-181 O} Robertshaw; 1776, George Lawson, P-Joseph Harper). BEL TON [in Axholme] (I, 1771, John Barnard, "Thomas Lee, (S-1769} See also THEALBY Preacher" - apparently supplying across the Humber from the BURTON UPON TRENT ( 1790, William Scott} Hull Circuit, where he became Wesley's Assistant that year; (1776, Richard Cousins, P-John Easton) . 1784, Geo. Coggan, "for the use of those of His Majesty's CAIS TOR ( 1777, Richard Goodman, P-John Easton). (M-1805} subjects called Methodists, who ore hearty in and for the CARL TON, GREAT ( 178 7 Jonathan Hay). (S-1785) cause both of Church and State"). {M-1802} CA WTHO RPE (I, 17 62, Francis Richardson (by mark), BENNINGTON, LONG (1791} "Robert Empring,am, Minister"; signatories include "Geo. Shadford, Junior", apparently the young preacher of 8 that name, 1768-1816). (S-1769} 9 (I, 1759, William Robinson, "Geo. Tizard, Minister", who left the Methodist itinerancy to b~ome a Baptist minister (I, 1766, John Sarjent - in same hand, and delivered and then a clergyman and a missionary. (S-1759) (M-1803) same day, as Costerdine 's for ). (S-1769) COATES, GREAT (1775, Thomas Dobbs, P-"Minister, John Easton" GAINSBOROUGH (I, "house belonging to Mr. Coates, now in the - Easton was Wesley's "Assistant" in the Grimsby Circuit; occupation of Elizabeth Ginever", P-Samuel Woodcock· 1790, Elizabeth Caldwell, P-Jasper Robinson). (S-17 69) 1776, James Kershaw, P-John Easton; 1791) ' CONINGSBY (I, 17 66, John Burton, P-Robert Costerdine). GARTHORPE IN LUDDINGTON (1777, Thomas Gibson, (S-1769) (M-1779) P-Lancelot Harrison; I, 1784, James Hayton, (1776, Joseph Harwood, P-Joseph Harper). (S-1769) P-John Beanland) (M-1805) COVENHAM ST. BARTHOLOMEW (I, 1766, William Basnip - GAYTON (1791) appears linked by other names with (1762), south as ( 1790, Sarah Tesh) this is north of Louth; 1790, Thomas Sims) GONERBY, GREAT (1774, Thomas Emmery, "Jeremiah Robertshaw, CROSBY in (I, 1773, John Hammond, P-"Isaac Brown, Teacher"). (M-1790) Pr") (PD, 1787, "barn of William Barton", P-Lancelot (1759, Thomas Mott; 1759, Henry Charity, "for Harrison). (S-1769) propagating f'he Gospel as places of religious worship of (1785, Benjamin Oliver, P-Lancelot Harrison?). Protestants dissenting from the Church of England calling (S-1782) ourselves Methodists") GRANTHAM (1780, Robt. Hoyes, P-William Collins, though in CROWLE (I, 17 69, Thomas Cook, "Isaac Brown, Minister"; June 1779 he was officially stationed in Nottingham· I, same day, 1769, Edward Easton, P-lsaac Brown; I, ("Protestant dissenters commonly called by the C~urt 1774, George Wells, P-", Preacher"; Independents"), 1781, "the house with all the premises thereunto belonging of Dorothy Fisher" P-Isaac Brown· 1774, John Clarke, P-"William Thom, Preacher"). (M-1764) 1 DEEPING ST. JAMES (S-1789) PD, 1787, "warehouse of Augustine Newcombe" addressed DEEPING, MARKET (M-1805) "To Mrs. [Dorothy] Fisher, Near the Goat Brid;e, Lincoln"), (I, 1759, William Gilliatt, "Minister, a prominent Methodist. (M-1803) George Tizard"; Robert Empringham signs, preacher 1771-92.) GRASSY (PD, 1787, John Robinson, P-Lancelot Harrison) (M-1804) · GREETHAM (S-1790) (I, 1769, Wm.' Staniforth, P-Isaac Brown) GRIMSBY (I, 1759, House of Lord Luxborough, leased to Thomas ELS HAM (I, 17 66, John Sergeant - several names as Barton; Capiter, etc., "Geo. Tizard, Minister"). (M-17 68) (S-17 69) 1790, George Stephenson) (I, 1774, Eliz. Hyks, P-Sam. Woodcock; 1775, Thomas England, P-Jeremiah Robertshaw). (S-1769) EPWORTH (I, 1771, Samuel Waterhouse, "Thomas Lee, Preacher"; I, 1772, "We whose hands are hereunto subscribed, being (1780, Richard Smith, P-John Peacock) Protestant dissenters (commonly called Independents), do (I, 1759, Edw. Fenwick, P-Thomas Johnson). (S-1775) intend to make use of the lately erected building (commonly HAL TON, EAST ( 1790, "a building rented by Marmaduke Barton called the Preaching-house) situate in Epworth ...as a place of of David Humphrey"; 1790). (S-1780) Publick Worship of Almighty God •.., Thomas Lee, preacher.•. "). HAL TON, WEST (PD, 1787, P-Lancelot Harrison) HAXEY (I, 1771, "in the town of Axholm ... the house of Jone (M-1758) Barker", P-Thomos Lee; 1790). See also Burnham FERRIBY (S-1769) (1788, William Kirk, P-Jonothon Edmondson). (S-1 781) FERRY see Owston (I, 1771, Edward Hockney, P-Robert Empringham) (S-1769) (S-1788) (M-1804) FLIXBOROUGH (1776, John Ellis, P-Joseph Harper) (1759, John Reynolds, "a place of religious worship (M-1 804) for those Protestant dissenters from the Church of England (1785, John Wright, farmer, P-). commonly called Methodists"). Also in Faculty Book (S-17 69)

10 l 1 HOLTON WITH BECKERING (I, 1759, Thomas Smith, "Tho. LAUGHTERTON IN KETTLETHORPE (I, 1771, John Creasey, Johnson, Minister"). (S-1 77 5) "Thomas Lee, Preacher") HORNCASTLE (Aug. 31, 1758, "The dwelling house of William LIMBER, GREAT (1784, Christopher Neal) West was certified as a place of religious worship for those LINCOLN ST. BENEDICT'S (1789, "a new erected building Protestant dissenters commonly called Independents or situated near the river side", "Thomas Longley, Thomas Wood, Methodists.") From Faculty Book, p.194. (S-1769) (M-1769, James Wheat, ministers of the said Dissenters there" - also 1806) Dorothy Fisher, etc.) HORNCASTLE ("On the same day the dwelling house of John LINCOLN ST. MARTIN'S (I, 1782, Robert Empringham, Bethell of Horncastle was certified as a place of religious P-Robert Empringham) worship for the Protestant dissenters commonly called LINCOLN ST. PETER AT GOWT'S (1787, Oct. 3, Dorothy Fisher, independents or Methodists.") From Faculty Book, ibid. P-Lancelot Harrison, DF and four other signatories) (I, 1763, Thomas Hart, P-John Catermole, apparently LINCOLN ST. PETER AT GOWT'S (1787, Nov. 19, Dorothy Fisher, in his first appointment as one of Wesley's preachers; P-Lancelot Harrison, DF and four other signatories including I, 1775, Wm. Thompson, P-John Peacock). (S-1770) two replacements) (S-1776) LINCOLN (I, 1781, "in the Bail", Eliz. Fenton "Prodestant (1791) desenters" and added later, "cal'd Independants", P-Isaac INGHAM (I, 1771, William Boothby, P-Robert Empringham; 1790, Brown). (M-1793 [no locality)) John Trevor) LOUTH (I, 17 62, April l, Joseph Odlin, "Thomas Lee, Minister", (I, 1775, John Young, P-John Easton). (S-1776) with Thomas Carlill, Robert Empring,am, etc.; 1769, May 26, KEADB Y (I, 177 2, Mary Hotchkin, P-Joseph Dawson; 1790, "We whose names are underwritten certify that a new built Wm. Glew). See also Keadby in Althorpe, and house situate in the street called Eastgate in Louth in the KEAL, WEST (S-1769) (M-1791) is set apart for the public worship of (1787, Thomas Nickolson, P-Lancelot Harrison). (S-1781) Almighty God for the use of Protestand Dissenters commonly (S-1784) called Independents: John Peacock, Preacher, Robert Green, KETTLETHORPE see Laughterton John Green, George Cuthbert, William Green, Thomas KEXBY (I, 1773, Thomas Kealey, P-Isaac Brown) Dawson [by mark), William Green, Richard Wilson"). KILLINGHOLME, SOUTH {1 790, George Houlton). (S-1769) (S- 1769) (M-1759, 1804) KILLINGHOLME, NORTH (1790, Joseph Wright) (S- 1769) (S-1769) LUDDINGTON (I, 1784, William Sharp, P-John Beanland) see Osgodby see also Garthorpe [?) (PD, 1787, William Thompson, P-Lancelot (S-1781) Harrison) (S-1769) (M-1796) KIRKSTEAD (S-1787) see Rosen (1775, John Anderton, P-Samuel Woodcock). MARSH CHAPEL (S-1780) (M-1798) (I, 1771, John Champion, P-John Peacock; 1777, (I, 177 4, Thomas Cook, "Samuel Woodcock, Preacher"). Mary Bows, P-John Easton) (S-1769) MOUL TON (S-1789) LANGHAM ( 177 5, "the new chamber adjoining to the corn grainary MORTON IN GAINSBOROUGH (I, Thomas Atset, P-Isaac Brown) belonging to George Robinson of Mumby situate in Langham MUMBY (S- 1790) see also Langham Row in the parish of Mumby" (certificate, June 28, registered (M-1799) July 12); "a chamber adjoining to the grainary of George (1776, Rich. Hindly, P-John Easton; 1790, Treavy Robinson, situate at Langham in the parish of Mumby ... was Vickers, P-"Robert Hayward, Minister of the said dissenting certified as a place of religious worship for those of his congregation"; 1791) Majesty's Protestant subjects dissenting from the Church of NEWTON LE WOLD see Wold Newton England, commonly called Methodists" - Faculty Book, July 12, p.64). (SA-1769) (M-1780) 12 13 NEWTON BY TOFT see SPILSBY (1776, Sept. 4, John Vinter, "Thomas Corbit, Preacher", (I, 1771, Caroline Skelton, "Thomas Lee, signed by John Evison, David Taylor; 1776, Sept. 4, Preacher"; 1790, Caroline Skelton) John Evison, no preacher named - on parchment in legal NORMANBY (I, 1774, Edward Colton, "Sam. Woodcock, Preacher"). hand, leaving blanks to fill; 1785, "the room of Mr. Richd. (S-1775) Brackenbury', P-William Du fton, signed George Robinson, NORMANTON (I, 1771, Thomas Blackburn, P-Robert Empringham; etc.) (S-1776) (M-1 804) I, 1774, Thomas Kerrey, P-Jeremiah Robertshaw) STAINTON BY (S-1775) OS GODBY ( 1787, Robert Blow, P-Lancelot Harrison). (S-1781) ["in the Hole"] (1776, William Kent). (S-1780) OWSTON FERRY (I, 1764, "a house lately built by subscription", ST ALLINGBOROUGH (I, ["Independents" apparently inscribed over P-Robert Empring,am, see under Slyton; 1790; 1791 ). "Methodists"] Richard Burnett, labourer, "Alexander Kilham, (M-1790) Minister", and Lancelot Harrison) RAITHBY (S-1780) (M-1778) STAMFORD (M-1800) RASEN, MARKET (1790, John Wibs, P-John Peacock). (M-1800) (1776, George Barber, P-John Easton). (S-1774) RASEN, MIDDLE (M-1800) STOCKWITH (M-1802) RESTON, SOUTH (S-1780) (I, 1771, John Ashton, "Robert Empringham, (1775, Thos. Hodgson, P-John Peacock). (S-1776) preacher of God's word"; 1787, John Ashton, P-Lancelot SAL TFLEET IN (1780, Thos. Hollingsworth, P-Robt. Harrison). (M-1805) Empringham). (S-1769) (S-1785) SAL TFLEETBY (1787, Robert Keighley, labourer, "Thomas Longley, SWIN ESHEAD (I, ["Independents" written over "Methodists"], 1774, Preacher") "new erected Hc,use") (1791) (1786, James Gough, taylor, "William Dufton, SCARLE, NORTH (I, 1771, William Poole, "George Mowett, Minister") Preacher") (M-181 l) (S-1784) (S-1769) (M-1776) (I, 1786, "have set apart and appropriated the Chapel in (I, 1775, Richard Winged, P-Jeremiah Robertshaw, the street going from Scawby to Sturton", "Alexander Kilhan:i, Winged by mark; 1788, "house belonging to and adjoining to Minis[te]r") the dwelling house of Thomas Sutton, shopkeeper in Tet.ford (PD, 1787, Richard York, P- Lancelot Harrison; 1789, near Horncastle") (S-1769) John Dear, "Thomas Longley, Minister of the said dissenting ( 1787, "a new erected house now in the hands of Geo. congregation") Laming, Edward Solflit, John Burton, William Robinson and (I, 1771, Jonathan Bobbins, "John Peacock, Preacher"; Edwd Wilson as Trustees", "Lancelot Harrison, Minister"). I, 1774, "an house built for the preaching the gospel in", (S-1769) (M-1784) P-Jeremiah Robertshaw). (M-1799) THEALBY-("Methodists" written above "Independents", which is SCOTTON (I, 1762, Hannah Wright, "Robert Empringham, Minister", struck througi, 1776, John Storm, P-John Easton). including signature, "Geo. Shodford, Junior"; I, 1782, Thomas Cf. Burton upon Stather Dixfon, P- James Barry) THEDDLETHORPE (1790, "house of John Gray and Wm Leach") (I, 1782, John Lee, P-Thomas Corbet) THIMBLEBY (S-1784) (S-1769) THORESBY, NORTH (I, 1766, Robert Davey - in same hand, and (S-1786) delivered same day, as Costerdine's for Coningsby). SKIDBROOKE see ( S-17 6 9) ( M- l 800) (1783, Wm. Christian, P-James Wray) (M-1804) (1790, Wm. Atkinson) SPALDING (M-1781) (S-1789) TOFT NEWTON (1787, Wm. Baxter, labourer, "Thos. Longley, Preacher"). (S-17 69) (M-1790)

14 15 TORRINGTON, EAST (S-1769) (I, 1772, Robert Wilson, "Benj. Rhodes, Minister"; (1791) I, 1781, Mary Johnson, P-George Button; 1790, Samuel TOYNTON ST. PETER {1776, [William Boothby?, P-John Easton? - Driffield) torn]) {S-1780) (M-181 O) (M-1793) (1790, Thomas Tuxford). {S-1769) (1785, Francis Major). (S-1774) ULCEBY (I, 1786, Samuel Snowden, shopkeeper, "Alexander Kilham, minister"; PD, July 30, 1790, "a house called the Grange * ** occupied by Thomas Patchett"; PD, July 30, 1790, "a building Historians are apt to bemoan the lack of evidence in their in the town of Ulceby ..• situate on a piece of ground belonging field. Here we have what seems to be a goodly number of to Robert Goodwin of ", with same signatories as certificates for Methodist meeting-places which are important other 1790 certificate, including Snowden and Patchett) not only as indicators of the spread of Methodism at the local {1776, Wm. Whittingham, P-Joseph Harper). (S-1776) level, but of Wesley's losing battle to avoid even t echnicalities {I, 1772, John Robinson, "Thos. Lee, Preacher"; which might seem to imply disloyalty to the Church of England. 1781, ["being Protestant dissenters from the Church of There were many patterns of certification, sometimes in two's England (called by the Court) Independants"], John Thompson, and three's for a society in an early formative stage, P-Isaac Brown) sometimes a building newly erected for an older society. It WAINFLEET {S-1780) {M-1804) seems clear that by no means all Methodist groups sought WALCOT {S-1789) registration, nor did all buildings registered necessarily remain WAL THAM (1775, Wm. Bartle, P-John Peacock). (S-1769) in use for lengthy periods. Although there was general (I, 1765, Robert Gibson, P-Robert Empringham) proliferation, there was also occasional diminution and (1776, John Hartley, P-John Easton). {S-1787) disappearance. {1790, Richard Scott) (1759, "Mr. William Dowager ..•doe s offer his house for To visualize the complete picture it is important to compare propagation [ of] the gospel as a place of religious worship of certification with whatever circuit records remain - and they Protestants dissenting from the Church of England, also are fragmentary. They amount to little more than calling themselves Methodists"; 1785, Samuel Hodgson). the membership rolls of some circuits in East Lincolnshire for (S-1791 ) 1769-70, 1774-76, 1780-82, and 1784-91. Every year one or WHITTON {1790, Aug. 17, Thomas Cousins; 1790, Aug. 17, Sarah more societies were added, and every year one or more either Sharp, same signatories). {S- 1774) dwindled away or became part of the nucleus of another (I, 1771, Ann Tankersley, "Thomas Lee, Preacher") incipient circuit, or left no records - at least none that have WILSFORD (I, 1786, Seth Emmery Baker, "William Dufton, survived. Wesley trained his lay Assistants to maintain annual Minister") membership rolls of circuit membership, just as he taught his WINTERTON (I, 1763, Thomas Heblewhite, P-Jon. Catlow; stewards to keep regular accounts, but inevitably the standards I, 1772, Joseph Dawson, "Ben. Rhodes their Teacher"). of efficiency varied greatly, as well the rote of survival. For (S-1769) (M-1780) many circuits we have nothing, but for others we have solid WINTHORPE {1791). (S-1780) representative samples rather than individual fragments. WITHAM, SOUTH (M-1808) The surviving membership rolls show the membership in 1769 of (M-1809) the following societies (re-arranged alphabetically): (S-1781) Alkborough, Asterby, Borrow, , Boston, Burton, WOLD NEWTON (I, 1774, Wm. Smith, P-Jeremiah Robertshaw). Cawthorpe, Cleethorpes, Coningsby, Donington, Ferriby, {S-1775) Fishtoft, Fulletby, Goxhill, , Grimsby, Horncastle, {1777, Stephen Thornhill, P-John Easton) Keal, Killingholme, Laceby, Langham, Louth, Ludborough, WRANGLE (S-1769) More ham, Saltfleet, Sibsey, T ealby, T etford, T etney, Thoresby, Toft Newton, Torrington, Trusthorpe, Waltham, Winterton, and 16 17 Wrangle. To these were added in 1770 Hundleby at least, and possibly others, while at the same time earlier societies may have been annotated under Slyton, that of Robert Empringham. Some ce ased or been absorbed - a constant factor about which it is others were Thomas Carlill, Robert Costerdine, George Shadford, impracticable at this time to take full account. In 1774 {or and Benjamin Rhodes. Occasionally there is evidence of the earlier) were added -6.shby, Barkwith, Brigg, Conisholme, Fulstow, same men, as Local Preache rs, serving {and signing certificates) Habrough, Kirby, Stickford, Whitton, and Yarburgh; in 1775 in adjoining counties. Eve n these present imperfect details Hainton, Holton, Normanby, Stainton by Longworth, and Wold garnered from the Lincolnshire ce rtificates offer clues to Newton; in 1776 Beelsby, Huttoft, Ingoldmells, Nettleham, Saleby, important new a spects o f Methodist history, nationally as well as Spilsby, and Usselby; in 1780 Alford, Beesby, Belchford, locally. There can hardly be any question that many valuable Butte rwick, Halton, Marsh Chapel, Raithby, Reston, Stainton le insights will be possible when such re presentative samples from Vale, Toynton, Wainfleet, Winthorpe; in 1781 Althorpe, Hemingby, many areas have been computerized, co-ordinated, and analyzed. Keelby, Manby, Osgodby, Wood Enderby, in 1782 Aswardby, There are inte resting years ahead as we learn more about the Grainthorpe. In 1784 much more detail was incorporated for some years that are past! societies, new ones being Barnoldby, Benniworth, Ketsby, Scartho, and Thimbleby. Added to these in 1785 were Bardney, , and Swaby, and in 1786 Brinkhill and Skendleby. Notes l This being the year when Horncastle hived off from Grimsby, BAKER , Frank : John Wesley and t he Church of England (Epworth Press d e tails were henceforth omitted for Barnoldby, Benniworth, 1970) pp . 95 , 163, 174-9. Binbrook, Carlton, Cleethorpes, Conisholme, Grainthorpe, Great 2 Coates, Grimsby, Keelby, Laceby, "Lorbor" (appare ntly Empringham appears to have been a when he Ludborough), Louth, Marsh Chapel, Osgodby, Saltfleet, Scartho, signed his first certificate in 1759 at Oonington near Louth, with Tealby, Tetne y, Thoresby, Toft Newton, Waltham, Wold Newton, "Geo.lizard, Minister" his Methodist pastor; he also signed a a nd Yarburgh - twenty-four in all retained by Grimsby. Added t o certificate with the veteran preacher Thanas Lee at Louth in April Horncastle in 1787 we re Ashby by Horncastle, Ashby by Spilsby, 1762; on June 2 that year he himself signed a certificate fo r Bicker, Kirkstead, and Welton, and in 1788 Hogsthorpe. In 1789 Scotton near Kirton-in-Lindsey as "Robert Empringham, Minister", and Horncastle gained Deeping St . J a mes, Moulton, Spalding, Walcot; a few months later more modest ly here at nearby Slyton; it was not and Wigt oft; in 1790 Burgh a nd Greetham, together with Mumby until 1771 , however, that he began his short career as an offtcial {grouped with Langham a nd Hogsthorpe); in 1791 Bratoft and Methodist . 3 Wha plode. For a transcript and illustration of the document see BAKER , Frank Throughout this period of general growth there was always an The Story of Cleethorpes .. . (Trinity Methodist Church, Cleethorpes 1953) pp . 24-5. undercurrent of change in t he composition of t he societies t hemselves, by deat h, disaffection, transfer, a nd new conve rsions. In rural societies t he re h as a lways been g reat dependence upon a handful o f families, a nd t he removal o f one key person might Frank Baker indeed le ad t o the speedy dissolut ion o f a small socie ty. This great Duke University, North Carolina. fluidity in compositions both o f me mbership, socie ties, and c irc uits, was true also d uring Wesle y's life time. The Dissenters' certific ates in Lincolnshire e ve n de monst rate a much g reater use of Local Preachers in Methodism d uring this pe riod than might have been expected. Many of them travelle d widely and signed certificates as "Preacher" or even "Ministe r" years before they had been officially acce pte d into the itinerancy. One instance has

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