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History1700's – A Financial ReportMany of the interesting records of this period relate to finance. But before that, it is interesting to note the close partnership formed by the minister at the Pithay 1719-1757, Mr Beddome, and the minister from the Broadmead congregation (Mr Foskett). Note that the Broadmead congregation met about 200 yards distant, and commenced at a similar time to the Pithay in the 1640's, and jointly owned the common burial ground in Redcross Street. Messrs Beddome and Foskett had worked together for 8 years in 3 different places, before coming to Bristol. As John Merritt records.. "In 1711 - Mr Foskett removed to Henley, a place to which his particular friendship for Mr Beddome led him to give the preference. Here, and at Bengworth and Alcester, these two friends continued their joint labours for a period of some eight years. Removing both to Bristol, Mr Beddome to our church and Mr Foskett to Broadmead, these two good men lived together in the same house until Mr Beddome died. Their attachment has been justly described as resembling that of David and Jonathan. It may be added, that lovely and pleasant in their lives, in their death they were not divided. Their remains occupy one grave, and one simple stone records their worth. In the centre, at the head as common property, are the significant words, In memory of, and in two parallel columns are inscribed the few particulars which comprise their brief histories. Mr. Beddomes memento is on the right, as follows: The Rev John Beddome, many years minister to the dissenting congregation in the Pithay, eminent for his abilities, greatly succeeded in his public labours, and remarkably spiritual in his conversation. He died Oct 24, 1757, in the 83d year of his age. His wife Rachel died March 23rd, 1758, aged 62 years." But to return to financial matters… "In 1738, it was ordered that an iron chest or box be procured and lodged in ye meeting, that ye preceding treasurer (Samuel Allen) keep ye key of it, and ye treasurer in being keep ye outward key of ye door, and that all papers, writings, security and moneys be lodged at all times in the said chest. In the treasurers account are the following items: paid on Sep 21st 1738, to Wm Donne for the iron chest in ye vestry £5-18-00, and on October 6th, the sum of £0-09-09½ was paid Cantell for fixing the iron chest and the case, and on Nov 7th, paid Dudley for work on the chest £0-02-06. At this time the church was free from financial difficulties, as it is recorded on January 8th that after meeting liabilities there was a balance in the said chest of £27-08-06½. There were also financial aspects to the disciplines of church life, as this extract shows. They show a possible link between the Pithay pump and the baptistry, and an attitude to alcohol and hostelries which would have caused some of their 19th and 20th century successors some consternation. "Memorandum November 26th 1751. It was then agreed upon, By the Brethren in the Vestry, That there be a meeting for Prayer every Tuesday Evening exactly at 6 o'clock all the winter and at 7 in the summer the exercise to continue one hour and half if but three to begin ¼ after the time proposed, and that everyone that omits attending shall forfeit 6d. Unless they can give a sufficient reason for their omission ¼ of an hour being allowed for Indulgence and all such forfeitures shall be reserved for the poor as witness our hands.
May 24th 1752 Collected for ye Infirmary £7-10-0. August 9th 1754 Paid Mr Wm. Ludlow for Wines for ye use of ye vestry had at sundry times £1-7-5. November 15th 1754 Expenses at ye Bush Tavern at meeting with Mr Bolster, &c. 4s-6 February 9th 1755 Robt. Nation ye carpenter for Drink when at work at Taylors 6d April 23rd 1755 paid Mr Tommas for Horse Hire and Express at ye Associations £1-4-6 November 13th 1756. Collected for ye Infirmary paid by Mr Tommas £7-12-3 May 16th 1757 paid Mr Tommas his charge for ye Association 18s-0 August 1st 1762 ye woman yt keeps ye Pithay Pump a [ ] 2s-6 September 14th 1763 To money paid Mr Tommas for a Baptising gown £1-16-0 May 5th. 1763 Collected thanksgiving day for peace &c. £1-10-0. April 29th. 1764 paid for a leather pipe for ye conveyance of water to ye Baptistry. 5s-3 August 5th, 1766, agreed that Bro Holland and Bro Ludlow inform Bro Doyle that if he do not return to his place the Church is come to a determination to cut him off. So on August the 7th Bro Doyle was cut off from the church for non attendance, and treating the repeated admonitions of the Church with contempt. September 29th 1767 agreed that Sisters Lock and Andrews be admonished for non attendance and that our pastor wait on them for that purpose. January 31st, 1769, Sister Andrews was waited upon on account of non attendance She pleaded in excuse a little one and want of health, but promises to endeavour to attend better. On May 23rd 1769, Bro Goldstone was spoken to by Brethren Holland, and Ludlow, respecting his non-attendance, where he seemed not in so good a temper as could be. For several years on Gunpowder Treason Day November 5th, a collection was made, except when fast day was near, it was then made on that day, the amount collected & an annual gift of £1 was distributed to poor members, the collection on Nov 5th 1753 was 18s-3½d. On November 5th. 1757 Powder Plot day the amount of collection was £2-5-10 the record says it was distributed immediately. November 5th. 1758 Gunpowder Treason day the collection £1-5-6 and Mr Barnes Legacy £1-0-0 was distributed to the poor immediately. 1771 August 17th, paid for Painting, White liming of the Pithay meeting House £9-10-0. 1778 December 11th, By a present made Mr Tommas on his coming out after his broken leg to bear the expenses of carriage to come to meetings and to see friends &c. £10-10-0. 1784 On August 15th the ordinance was not administered on account of Mr Tommas being taken ill in the Pulpit and carried Home. October 2nd paid to Mr Thos Baker £16-0-0 for painting the meeting House. 1785. Nov 24th Bristol Dissenting Charity School Collected at the Pithay Nov 13th, 1785 - £27-11-7 for expenses of dinner to 50 poor boys & 50 Girls their masters and assistants. at the School at Bakers Hall the Friars. 1787. Jany 14th, 100 children again with masters, mistresses and assistants were provided with dinner at the Bakers Hall collection for the general support of the School was made at the Pithay & amounted to £16-7-6. "It is concluded by members of the Church that if any member or members shall absent themselves from several services, either preaching or Church meetings, were to be subject to an examination and reproof, unless they could give a sufficient answer for so doing." This shows us the kind of Church discipline exercised at that period. Church meeting January 2nd, 1770. It was agreed to keep Friday before next ordinance day as a day of fasting. At a Church meeting October 9th, 1770. It was observed that Mrs Carpenter the elder had not for some time attended the Church at the Lords Table, and that the reasons of her leaving her place be enquired into, and Brother Ludlow was desired to make the enquiry. This was accordingly done, and Mrs Carpenters reason for absence was on account of a difference between her and her son-in-law Thomas, whereupon it was agreed that Brethren Ludlow and Stephens wait upon both, and try to reconcile them. At a Church meeting held November 6th, 1771. Agreed that the Thursday before our next ordinance day be kept as a day of fasting and prayer, on account of the plague and a war with which we are threatened, and also on account of the present languishing state of religion in the church. At a Church meeting held March 24th 1772. It was agreed to keep this day month as a day of fasting and prayer. At a Church meeting held April 21st 1772. It was found that the above appointed day for a fast was Easter Tuesday. It was agreed to keep this day month as a fast for that was found convenient. At a Church meeting held January 25th. 1774. Agreed to keep this day month as a day of fasting and prayer. At a Church meeting, June 14th, 1774, Rev J Tommas, Mr Newton, and others being present, it was agreed, in compliance with the request of several of our brethren, to begin the lecture on Thursday evenings at six o'clock, at least for 3 or 4 months, as they said they were not able to attend at the present time. At a Church meeting held September 6th. 1774. It was noticed that now, after near three months trial as to the alteration of the time for beginning Thursdays lecture, it is not better attended than before, and therefore we think it best to have it beginning at the old time. This was agreed to, and that notice should be given accordingly, which was done at the Thursdays lecture on the 27th. At a Church meeting held November 1st, 1774. A day of fasting and prayer was proposed with the reason for it, and that Tuesday before our next ordinance day be the day appointed. At a Church meeting held January 24th, 1775. It was proposed to the church to consider and give their thoughts upon our Brother Isaac Stephens, as to his gifts for the ministry, as several of them had personally expressed their desire that his gifts might be tried. Accordingly at a Church meeting held February 21st, 1775, his character being good, it was the united opinion that he be encouraged, and his gifts tried. The time fixed for the trial was this day fortnight, in the evening. Bro Stephens was to be acquainted with the arrangements and desired to preach from John 1st chapter and 2nd verse. At a Church meeting held April 18th 1775. Agreed that Bro Stephens's gifts be further tried, and that he deliver his thoughts upon a text of Scripture which he may think proper, this day fortnight in the evening. At a Church meeting held August 8th 1775. Bro Stephens having at the desire of the Church exercised his gift several times, it was now put to the Church whether he should be called out to preach publicly, and it was unanimously agreed that he should. At a Church meeting held October 31st 1775. Agreed to have the ordinance of baptism administered on the Thursday before our next ordinance day. At a Church meeting held April 16th, 1776, Agreed to keep a day of prayer and fasting, and that Thursday month be the day. On September 27th, 1778, Mr Tommas broke his leg in riding to Hanham. In consequence the church meetings were suspended until January 19th, 1779. At a Church meeting held March 16th, 1779, it was mentioned, and agreed to, that after next Thursday our lecture shall begin at 6 o'clock, Rev Tommas, Mr Newton, and others being present. October 24th, 1779, the following persons were baptised: Brethren Francis Brown, Paul Birt, and Sisters Edgehill, Sarah Harris, and Mary Ariel. This was the first time that baptism had been administered on the Sabbath day. There was a vast number of people, and they behaved with great seriousness. September 26th, 1780. Brother Berry acquainted the Church of the conduct of Mary Brittle, that she has abused her mother so far as to strike her, and given herself such liberty with her tongue as was a scandal to her profession; that she has been admonished but to no purpose. Agreed that she be put aside from the Lords Table. At a Church meeting held December 17th, 1782. It was proposed to set apart our brethren, Mr Whittuck and Mr Leonard, to the office of deacon: it was agreed to, and the time fixed for this day month. At a Church meeting January 14th, 1783, The reason why our brethren Whittuck and Leonard were not ordained to the office of deacon as before intended was that Bro Leonard was obliged to attend a trial at Gloucester on that day. In 1783, Mr Tommas had to endure the loss of two sons, and three grandsons; also of his wife, Ann. She was baptised May 30th, 1754, and died 13th November, 1783, aged 55. At a Church meeting held November 30th, 1784. It was reported that on the 4th inst: 20 persons were baptised, and on the 7th all admitted to the Church. "In 1784, the meeting-house in the Pithay having undergone a thorough repair, the smell of the paint, on its being re-opened, caused Mr Tommas to faint in the pulpit. His son - of his own personal name, and worthy of it - ran up to his assistance. Having a little recovered, he said to the congregation, Doubtless it would have been joyful to me; for I should have exchanged my pulpit for the throne. Then he fainted again, in the arms of his son; and was brought down as one dead, amidst the tears and the audible grief of the whole congregation." To return to the home page clic on the blue Cairns Road |
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