Chapel members:
1814 I was admitted as a member of the Church at Sth Petherton
Jan (Independent Chapel) Messrs Herdsman and Griffith Pastors of the
2nd same.
6th Mr James Rowsell Sth P was suspended from the Church.
March Edward Barns was admitted to our Church.
Septm at Different Times in this Month
Wm Beale and John Horsey and Elizabeth his Wife withdrawed themselves from our Church by sending letters either to the Ministers or Deacons and Mrs Rowsell the wife of J R.
1816 Mr John Horsey and his Wife was readmitted to this Church under the
March Pastoral care of Rev James Bidlake.
Nov Elizabeth Gentle of Sth Petherton was Admitted by Mr Bidlake.
10th
1817 Mr Thos Ballantyne was Unanimously Chosen by the Church as Deacon
Jan in the place of Mr Jn Perren of Compton, Deacons at this time
5th Father Brother Simeon, Thos Hutchins and George Nevil and Mr Bidlake Pastor. Mr Bidlake became Pastor of this Church the first Sabbath in Aug 1815.
1817 Mr John Horsey was Excommunicated from this Church for leaving the
Aug Ordinances of that Meeting and going to Martock Meeting.
20th
1817 Mrs John Horsey sent in Her Resignation to our Church.
Sept 5th
Sept Thomas Fort of Pitway sent his Resignation to our Church.
10th
Aug Samuel Denman was at the same time with Mr Horsey above
20th Excommunicated for the same cause as Mr H, leaving and going to Martock.
1817 Mrs White of South Petherton was admitted as a member of this
Dec Church under care of Mr Bidlake.
7th
1817 The before mentioned Mr Thomas Ballantyne who was Chosen as Deacon
Dec was Excommunicated for the Sin of Fornication Committed with his
7th servant-maid.
Dec The Rev Mr Bidlake Gave in his Resignation but Supplyed the Church
25th 4 Sabbaths after.
1819 The Rev Mr Sanderson Preached the first Sermon in our Pulpit on
Feb Probation for three Months - he was promised one pound pr Sabbath
28th and board.
Aug Mr Taylor of Yeovil Read Mr Sandersons Acceptance to the Invitation
29th (or Call) Given by the Church, so that from this Time he became our Pastor.
1820 Mrs Wm Terrell (Widow) of Lower Stratton was Admitted a Member of
Jan our Church. Died 1826.
2nd
1820 Mary Talbord of Stemberage was admitted Member of this Church.
1821 I, B Hebditch of Overstratton was unanimously invited to take the
Sept important office of Deacon after been allowed 2 or 3 weeks consideration I accepted the Invitation.
1822 Michael Marks of Pitway was admitted Member of this Church.
Jan 13
1823
July My Sister Anna, Mrs Ruth Dunstone (widow) and Jane Shore, both of
1st Stoke, was admitted as Members.
May Mr and Mrs Tilly of Shepton Beauchamp was admitted as Members.
20th
Oct Mr John Horsey Senior and his Wife was readmitted a second time and
1st also Mary Best of Shepton and Ann Bunter of Seavington admitted, Mr Sanderson, Pastor.
Nov The Revd Mr Sanderson sent a verbal Resignation to the Church by me
14 that his Pastoral Office would Terminate with our Church on the
1824 25th of December next 1824.
1824 At a Church Meeting about 2 thirds of the Members then present held
Nov up their hands for Mr Paltridge to supply us on Probation three
28th months, one third wished it to be six months. (Died 9 Apr 1854 being 29 years).
1825 The Church Gave Rev E Paltridge a Call or Invitation.
Jan
Feb The Rev Edward Paltridge Acceptance of the Call was Read in Public
6th Sabbath Afternoon.
and 1854 Apr 9th He died.
126l
1825 At a Church Meeting this Day George Nevil, Barnard Gould and Mrs
Apr Susanna Thomas was readmitted.
3rd
25th The Rev Edward Paltridge was Ordained. The Rev Mr Luke of Taunton Gave the Charge and the Rev Mr Cuff of Wellington Preached to the People (and Died Apr 9th 1854 being 29 years).
1825 At A Church meeting held this day Mr King* (Mr and Mrs Beale was
May readmitted) *Mrs King admitted and Miss Susan Harding resignation
15 was read, she joined the Wesleyans.
DEATHS
June Died the Rev John Sanderson at Mr Axe's House and was Buried in the
6th Meeting Court the 16th and Mr Paltridge preached his Funeral Sermon the 19th from the 7th and 8th verses of the 4th Chapter of the 2nd of Timothy.
June Mrs Hooper and Miss Ann Horsey was admitted as members of our
26th Church Pastor Mr Paltridge.
1825
Dec At a Church Meeting held this Day Mrs Josh Horsey, Lopen, her
25th Sister Mrs Ann Harding and John Richardson admitted.
1826 At a Church Meeting held this Day George Langford and Rebekah Fort
May was admitted and Thomas Fort readmitted.
28th
1826 At a Church Meeting held this Day Mr Tupp and George Bagg was
Nov admitted.
26
1827 Mr Thos Terrell and his Wife of Stoke was both admitted Members.
March 18th
June Hannah Newton was admitted as a Member of our Church.
1st
Apr Saml Hebditch's wife, Mary Anna, and Elias Harding's wife Hannah
1st was admitted members of the Church.
1828 Mrs Chaffey Baker and her Sister Miss Elizabeth Anstice was
Jan 27th Admitted.
Feb Mr Jn Daniel and his Aunt Miss Anstice was admitted.
24th
1829 James Baker of Little Field was admitted a Member of our Church.
Jan 25th
1829 Old James Pinkard, Betty Jeans, her son Thos, Wm Baker, John Tilly
Feb and Martha Warr admitted.
22nd
1829 Sally Warr, wife of George Warr of Stratton was admitted.
March
29
1829 Mrs John Hebditch, Mrs Wm Baker and Mrs George Bagg was admitted.
1831 Mrs Ann Hext, Eliza England of Lopen and Ann Glover was admitted.
July 31st
1832
Nov Mary Rowsell of Sth Petherton was admitted - Rev E Paltridge,
25th Pastor
1833 This day was admitted Wm Hayward of Compton, Hannah Terrell of
Jan Stoke, Annis Baker of Sth Petherton, Mary & Hannah Hebditch, Mary
27th Bull and Ann Lang, all of Lopen, together 7 in number and only Ann Lang married.
This was an high day to my soul (especially seeing 2 of my Nieces declaring to whom they belong).
NB 1833 June 11th Hannah Hebditch Died who sat down at the Table only 3 times.
May Mrs Robt Pittard of East Lambrook was admitted as a Member.
26th
1834
Sept Mary Warr of Overstratton was admitted a Member.
Nov Miss Robins, Shop Girl at Mr Jn Daniels was admitted.
30th
1835 Miss Harriet Bull, Betty Hallet, Hannah Harding (widow) Mrs Sarah
Nov & Perratt, John Rowsell and Mrs Guppy.
Dec
Jan Susannah Burford and Rebekah Endoe was admitted.
31 1836
May Isaac Richards and Benjm Gould both of Sth Petherton was added
29
1838
Jan Joseph Lang of Lower Stratton was admitted a member
1838
Feb Robt Marten of Sth Petherton was admitted a Member
Nov Mr Kiddle of West Chinnock and Uriah Denman was admitted.
25
Dec Jane Vile, Pitway was admitted
30th
Nov Cousin Joseph Hebditch was admitted and a few months before his
1st Brother Saml was admitted and Also Thos Vilday, Mr Jn Daniels'
1840 Servant Girl and many others since my Past Date 1838 Dec 30th -
In consequence of Mr Paltridge Preaching much more liberal or addressing Sinners etc, George Nevil -Barnard Gould, Benjm Gould, and John Rowsell left our place altogether with few others.
1843 Mary Ann Wines was admitted as a Member
July 30th
1843 Benjm Hebditch, Lopen and Daniel Richards was admitted
1843 Mr Jas Patten Daniel was admitted a Member
Nov
1845
Aug Saml Axe Esq was admitted a member
1st
130r
1846 Miss Susan Vaux and Hannah Jeans were Admitted as Members of our
Dec Church.
27th
1847 Mr Mac-Melon (South Street) was admitted A Scotchman
Aug 1st
1848 Eli Amery of Seavington was admitted his age about 17 years
March 26th
1850 Mrs Edwin Harding, Mrs James Terrell and Miss Maria Perratt were
Jan admitted this day.
27th
March Mr Robt Pittard of Rodwell, Son-in-law of our Pastor, Mr
31st Paltridge was admitted.
Apr Mary Rowsell of Watergore was admitted as a Member
28th
Nov Mrs Leaves of Overstratton was Admitted as a Member
23
1851
Apr Esther Davis and Harriet Morton was admitted as Members
27
Sept Mrs Dight of Lower Stratton and Mrs Prideaux of Watergore was
28th admitted.
1852
Feb Phillis Holland was admitted without appearing or speaking 1before the Church.
May Miss Sarah Anstice and Ann Wines were admitted without appearing
1st before the Church
1854 Mr Saml McMullen in South Street was admitted without appearing
Feb before the Church
26th
March Deacons
19th Messrs Jas and John Daniel were unanimously Chosen Deacons and now with my Brother and self we have 4 Deacons, Mr Paltridge being present, for, I believe, the last time having the Diabetis.
19th NB out of the above Number since I was admitted (being about 84)
there have been Dead 24 say
The number now living 60 left
Apr At our Chapel House Died the Rev Edward Paltridge of Diabetis
10th having been the Pastor of the Church 29 years and about one year Supplying in all 30
Sept Mr Sells being here as a supply the day of Mr Paltridge's death
3rd (being Sunday) he supplyd us for about 3 months when he was invited for 3 months as on Probation but he did not supply us more than 2 months but on the 3rd of Sept 1854 A Call was drawn up and placed in the Vestry for Signatures when I was at Crewkerne and Merriott to get a supply for the following Sabbath yet Three Deacons with a great Majority of the Church and Congregation signed And on Sunday Oct 1st 1854 he sent an acceptance of the Call which was read by my Nephew Saml Hebditch Junior.
May the Lord make him a long and lasting blessing to this Church and People.
The Members of the Independent Church Petherton
1855 My dear Daughter Anna and another Young Woman - Brister was Added to the
Jan 28th Church. These were the first Members after Mr Sells was our Pastor.
June 23rd Mary Hurley was Admitted, A Stranger
1856 ) Mrs Henry Tapscot - Mrs Simn Lye - Mary Indoe and Sarah Ann Lang was Jan 27th) admitted and George Nevils Wife from Bower Hinton Church was
admitted last month.
June 10th The Rev V P Sells was ordained. Doctor Alliott gave the Charge and Messrs Addiscott, Quick and Samson with several Others took part in it.
Aug 24th Hannah Marsh and Martha Doble was Admitted Members.
1857
Jan 25th Mary Trott, Sarah Epton and her Daughter Fanny were Admitted.
From Jan 1857 to the 26th of December 1858 I have kept no a/c of the addition to the Church in Consequence of my leaving and going to Merriott Meeting, Since the 10 of June 1856 when V P Sells was Ordained the Church and Congregation have been so scattered that frequently they were worshipping in 7 or 8 different places of worship so this day after 3 weeks Notice only he preached his farewell Sermon from My Witness is in Heaven and my Record is on High -
His Friends gave him a Silver Ink stand and Gold pen when he left us for further particulars see 1st or 2nd page in my Cronacle Book.
That the Lord may send us a much better preacher is my earnest wish and desire - But a Worse I never heard for a Constancy - Yet I wish him well. He is gone near Stroud Newnham where the Salary is about 30 pounds a year beside what the Association gives him - 500 Inhabitants only in the Town in 1821.
May 23rd This day I went with the Buss to Martock Station after Mr Revil our New Pastor wish his new Wife and her Aunt who brought her up from a Child -
That the Lord may make him very usefull at Petherton is my earnest wish.
1860 Aug 2nd Mrs Jeans and Mrs Revil of Petherton were Admitted as Members.
28th Mr Revell was ordained when I gave 20/- towards the expenses with a Public Dinner and Tea, The Rev Densham asked the Questions - Samson of Yeovil offered the Ordination prayer and Carter of Brain-tree his own Pastor gave him the Charge and Cousin Saml Hebditch of Bristol explained the nature of the Xtian Church. In the evening Mr Mackenal of Burton on Trent Preached to the People. May the Lord Bless him and make him a Blessing to the Church and Congregation.
1860 Aug 30th Elizth Brown, Mrs Taylor and Wm Parker's Wife were admitted.
Sept 2nd Mr Revell Preached 2 Sermons after his ordination from the 3rd and 19th of Ephesians and in the Afternoon from 3rd of Ezekial 17 and 4 following verses - being excellent sermons.