[206] Mr. Sloper’s MSS. and Evan. Mag. 1803, p. 406.
[207a] Church book.
[207b] At first they united themselves to the Baptist church at Claxton, in Norfolk, under the pastoral oversight of Mr. Job Hupton; but the inconvenience of attending public worship at so great a distance, induced them to obtain the use of a building in Beccles. The place they procured had been occasionally used for devotional purposes, and the celebrated John Wesley had once preached there; but it was sometimes appropriated to the barbarous amusement of cock-fighting. This circumstance was very repugnant to the feelings of those who resorted thither for religious purposes, and it stimulated their efforts to provide a house of prayer of their own. In 1805, the present Baptist meeting-house was erected. On the 5th Sept. 1808, a church was formed consisting of twenty-four persons; and, on the 12th July, 1809, Mr. Tipple, late of Hail-Weston, Hunts. was publicly recognized as their pastor. He resigned his pastorship in the following year, and from that period the church and congregation were supplied by a succession of ministers, without pastoral settlement, till 1822, when the Rev. George Wright commenced his labours. On the 19th July, 1823, he was set apart to the pastoral office, which he now ably and usefully sustains. The church comprises, at the present time, nearly 150 members.
[209] Jay’s Life of Winter, p. 284.
[211] Jay’s Life of Winter, 2nd ed. p. 223.
[217a] Anna Seward. See Campbell’s Life of Mrs. Siddons, ii. 241.
[217b] Campbell’s Life of Mrs. Siddons, ii. 329.
[218] September 16th.
[225] Evan. Mag. 1813, p. 61.
[232] Pp. 15–17.