Chapel Members
1814 Jan 2nd I was admitted as a member of the Church at Sth Petherton (Independent Chapel) Messrs Herdsman and Griffith Pastors of the same.
Jan 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 March Mr John Horsey and his Wife was readmitted to this Church under the Pastoral care of Rev James Bidlake.
Nov 10th Elizabeth Gentle of Sth Petherton was Admitted by Mr Bidlake.
1817 Jan 5th Mr Thos Ballantyne was Unanimously Chosen by the Church as Deacon in the place of Mr Jn Perren of Compton, Deacons at this time 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 Aug 20th Mr John Horsey was Excommunicated from this Church for leaving the Ordinances of that Meeting and going to Martock Meeting.
1817 Sept 5th Mrs John Horsey sent in Her Resignation to our Church.
Sept 10th Thomas Fort of Pitway sent his Resignation to our Church.
Aug 20th Samuel Denman was at the same time with Mr Horsey above Excommunicated for the same cause as Mr H, leaving and going to Martock.
1817 Dec 7th Mrs White of South Petherton was admitted as a member of this Church under care of Mr Bidlake.
1817 Dec 7th The before mentioned Mr Thomas Ballantyne who was Chosen as Deacon was Excommunicated for the Sin of Fornication Committed with his servant-maid.
Dec 25th The Rev Mr Bidlake Gave in his Resignation but Supplyed the Church 4 Sabbaths after.
1819 Feb 28th The Rev Mr Sanderson Preached the first Sermon in our Pulpit on Probation for three Months – he was promised one pound pr Sabbath and board.
Aug 29th Mr Taylor of Yeovil Read Mr Sandersons Acceptance to the Invitation (or Call) Given by the Church, so that from this Time he became our Pastor.
1820 Jan 2nd Mrs Wm Terrell (Widow) of Lower Stratton was Admitted a Member of our Church. Died 1826.
1820 Mary Talbord of Stemberage was admitted Member of this Church.
1821 Sept I, B Hebditch of Overstratton was unanimously invited to take the important office of Deacon after been allowed 2 or 3 weeks consideration I accepted the Invitation.
1822 Jan 13 Michael Marks of Pitway was admitted Member of this Church.
1823 July 1st My Sister Anna, Mrs Ruth Dunstone (widow) and Jane Shore, both of Stoke, was admitted as Members.
May 20th Mr and Mrs Tilly of Shepton Beauchamp was admitted as Members.
Oct 1st Mr John Horsey Senior and his Wife was readmitted a second time and also Mary Best of Shepton and Ann Bunter of Seavington admitted, Mr Sanderson, Pastor.
1824 Nov 14 The Revd Mr Sanderson sent a verbal Resignation to the Church by me that his Pastoral Office would Terminate with our Church on the 25th of December next 1824.
1824 Nov 28th At a Church Meeting about 2 thirds of the Members then present held up their hands for Mr Paltridge to supply us on Probation three months, one third wished it to be six months. (Died 9 Apr 1854 being 29 years).
1825 Jan The Church Gave Rev E Paltridge a Call or Invitation.
Feb 6th The Rev Edward Paltridge Acceptance of the Call was Read in Public Sabbath Afternoon. and 1854 Apr 9th He died.
1825 Apr 3rd At a Church Meeting this Day George Nevil, Barnard Gould and Mrs Susanna Thomas was readmitted.
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 May 15 At A Church meeting held this day Mr King* (Mr and Mrs Beale was readmitted) *Mrs King admitted and Miss Susan Harding resignation was read, she joined the Wesleyans.
DEATHS
1825 June 6th Died the Rev John Sanderson at Mr Axe’s House and was Buried in the 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 26th Mrs Hooper and Miss Ann Horsey was admitted as members of our Church Pastor Mr Paltridge.
1825 Dec 25th At a Church Meeting held this Day Mrs Josh Horsey, Lopen, her Sister Mrs Ann Harding and John Richardson admitted.
1826 May 28th At a Church Meeting held this Day George Langford and Rebekah Fort was admitted and Thomas Fort readmitted.
1826 Nov 26 At a Church Meeting held this Day Mr Tupp and George Bagg was admitted.
1827 March 18th Mr Thos Terrell and his Wife of Stoke was both admitted Members.
June 1st Hannah Newton was admitted as a Member of our Church.
Apr 1st Saml Hebditch’s wife, Mary Anna, and Elias Harding’s wife Hannah was admitted members of the Church.
1828 Jan 27th Mrs Chaffey Baker and her Sister Miss Elizabeth Anstice was Admitted.
Feb 24th Mr Jn Daniel and his Aunt Miss Anstice was admitted.
1829 Jan 25th James Baker of Little Field was admitted a Member of our Church.
1829 Feb 22nd Old James Pinkard, Betty Jeans, her son Thos, Wm Baker, John Tilly and Martha Warr admitted.
1829 March 29 Sally Warr, wife of George Warr of Stratton was admitted.
1829 Mrs John Hebditch, Mrs Wm Baker and Mrs George Bagg was admitted.
1831 July 31st Mrs Ann Hext, Eliza England of Lopen and Ann Glover was admitted.
1832 Nov 25th Mary Rowsell of Sth Petherton was admitted – Rev E Paltridge, Pastor
1833 Jan 27th This day was admitted Wm Hayward of Compton, Hannah Terrell of Stoke, Annis Baker of Sth Petherton, Mary & Hannah Hebditch, Mary 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 26th Mrs Robt Pittard of East Lambrook was admitted as a Member.
1834 Sept Mary Warr of Overstratton was admitted a Member.
Nov 30th Miss Robins, Shop Girl at Mr Jn Daniels was admitted.
1835 Nov & Dec Miss Harriet Bull, Betty Hallet, Hannah Harding (widow) Mrs Sarah Perratt, John Rowsell and Mrs Guppy.
Jan 31 1826 Susannah Burford and Rebekah Endoe was admitted.
May 29 Isaac Richards and Benjm Gould both of Sth Petherton was added
1838 Jan Joseph Lang of Lower Stratton was admitted a member
1838 Feb Robt Marten of Sth Petherton was admitted a Member
Nov 25 Mr Kiddle of West Chinnock and Uriah Denman was admitted.
Dec 3th Jane Vile, Pitway was admitted
Nov 1st 1840 Cousin Joseph Hebditch was admitted and a few months before his Brother Saml was admitted and Also Thos Vilday, Mr Jn Daniels’ Servant Girl and many others since my Past Date
1838 Dec 30th – n 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 July 30th Mary Ann Wines was admitted as a Member
July 30th1843 Benjm Hebditch, Lopen and Daniel Richards was admitted
1843 Nov Mr Jas Patten Daniel was admitted a Member
1845 Aug 1st Saml Axe Esq was admitted a member
1846 Dc 27th Miss Susan Vaux and Hannah Jeans were Admitted as Members of our Church.
1847 Aug 1st Mr Mac-Melon (South Street) was admitted A Scotchman
1848 March 26th Eli Amery of Seavington was admitted his age about 17 years
1850 Jan 27th Mrs Edwin Harding, Mrs James Terrell and Miss Maria Perratt were admitted this day.
March 31st Mr Robt Pittard of Rodwell, Son-in-law of our Pastor, Mr Paltridge was admitted.
Apr 28th Mary Rowsell of Watergore was admitted as a Member
Nov 23 Mrs Leaves of Overstratton was Admitted as a Member
1851 Apr 27 Esther Davis and Harriet Morton was admitted as Members
Sept 28th Mrs Dight of Lower Stratton and Mrs Prideaux of Watergore was admitted.
1852 Feb Phillis Holland was admitted without appearing or speaking before the Church.
May 1st Miss Sarah Anstice and Ann Wines were admitted without appearing before the Church
1854 Feb 26th Mr Saml McMullen in South Street was admitted without appearing before the Church
March 19th Deacons
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 10th At our Chapel House Died the Rev Edward Paltridge of Diabetis having been the Pastor of the Church 29 years and about one year Supplying in all 30
Sept 3rd Mr Sells being here as a supply the day of Mr Paltridge’s death (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 Jan 28th My dear Daughter Anna and another Young Woman – Brister was Added to the 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.