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9
386
Statistical View of Dissenters:-Cumberland.
JULY,
this town there is a small dissenting congregation, but no authentic account of its commencement can be collected. It appears probable that its rise was about the year 1715, this being the date of the instrument, by which the meeting-house was conveyed in trust by the gift of Mrs. Ann Waterson, who also bequeathed £200. or the support of the worship. This benevolent lady and her relatives, the late Abraham Allason, Esq. and his lady, eminent for her piety, appear to have been the principal supporters of this place. The minister about this time was the REV. ROBERT STOTT, who appears to have continued till about the year 1730, when he bequeathed, by will, £10. and the books which composed his divinity library. These, however, though a valuable appendage to the congregation, have through neglect been all lost upwards of twenty years. Mr. Stott appears to have been succeeded by the Rev. JAMES BIGGERS; who was followed by the Rev. W. CHALMERS; and the present pastor is the Rev. THOMAS GRITTON, (of Hoxton Academy.) Through the liberal kindness of a pious friend, resident in London, whose ancestors resided in this neighbourhood, the meeting-house was rebuilt in the year 1803. The congregation continues small; but religion, it is hoped, is improving. A general Sunday school has, within the last twelve months (1819), been established, which is well encouraged, and promised to effect great good." The following is Mr. Nelson's List of Ministers:-"STOT-BENJ. PEELE-JAMES BIGGAR-JOHN CHALMERS, and THOS. GRITTON."
KIRKANDREWS. €”Intro the parochial school-house of this place, the preaching of the Gospel was introduced about three years ago, by Mr. WHITRIDGE, then of Carlisle, under prospects of considerable encouragement.
KIRKLEVINGTON, or KIRKLINTON. €”is a rectory, and not a vicarage, as represented by the Memorialist of the Nonconformists; nor has that author been correct in placing Mr. HOPPER as the ejected minister of this parish-to the honours of 1662, this place does not seem to stand entitled. It deserves notice, however, as having given birth to two very eminent ministers among the Quakers or Friends-John Bell and Thos. Story; the latter of whom became exceedingly distinguished, both in England and America; and exchanged worlds in 1742 at Carlisle, leaving behind him a most honourable name.-(Hutchinson's Hist. of Cumb.)
LAZONBY. €”Mr. SIMON ATKINSON was the ejected vicar of this parish in 1662: but we have no further notice of him, expect that his name occurs in the ancient Register of the Parkhead meeting-house, among "the number of persons who laid the foundation of that church."
LONGTOWN. €”The Presbyterian chapel was raised in 1798, chiefly through the means of public collections and subscriptions. Mr. WRIGHT was the earliest minister; and is known to the world by his "Sermons on interesting and important Subjects," in 1807. Mr. JAMES CHALMERS and Mr. ROBERT LAURIE followed in succession as teh ministers of this place: and Mr. A. MACFARLANE has now officiated for some years. The congregation is said to consist of from 150 to 200 hearers: but it is to be regretted that Sunday school and village instruction has been much disregarded.
LORTON. €”In this beautiful vale there has been preaching for many years, by the Independents, Antipædobaptists, and Methodists; and such has been the prevalence of christian harmony, that the various parties have often assembled for worship with the upmost cordiality in the same house. It has sometimes been in contemplation to erect a chapel; but, unfortunately, circumstances have not yet proved favourable, though the attendance on preaching has been uniformly very encouraging.
MELMERBY. €”To the honours of conscientious Nonconformity in 1662, Mr. WILLIAM HOPKINS, the rector of this parish stands entitle; and his name also appears "in the number of persons who laid the foundation of the church" at Huddlesceugh or Parkhead. "That chruch (says the ancient register) was first gathered at Mellerby in the yeare 1633, Sept. 7th;" but more of this in the proper place.
MILLUM. €”is justly entitled to notice here, though it may not have to boast of an ejected minister in 1662, or of a Nonconformist congregation at this time in the parish. In the Beauties of England and Wales, (xv. p. 234.) it is said-"The Askew family derive their descent from Thruston de Bosco, who lived, in the reign of John, at Aikskeugh, near Millum, and afterwards at Graymains, near Muncaster. Anne Askew, whose name stands so eminent in the pages of martyrology, was one of his descendants."-At Townend and Silecroft, within this township, there has been preaching for several years, chiefly by ministers connected with the chapel at Bootle. A good attendance has usually been ensured; and it is pleasing to bserve, as the fruit of these exertions, some instance of the best Nonconformity-even to a "world lying in wickedness."
OUGHTON, or OULTON, near Wigton. €”Mr. Ruston, of Broughton, has transmitted to us the following account of the chruch in this village. "in the absence