Midland Churches: A History of the Congregations on - General ...

Both <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> two obituaries <strong>of</strong> him* say that he began his ministerial
career as a Calvinist, and was for some time <strong>the</strong> pastor <strong>of</strong> a congregation
in Mr. Haldane's connexion, in Dundee ; that he afterwards <strong>of</strong>ficiated to
a Sandemanian congregation ; and at Birmingham, where he became an
Unitarian, which (says <strong>the</strong> C.R.)-
led to his removal ;
and that he preached as a supply to various Unitarian congregations, and
after some time became minister <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> congregation at Gainsborough.
He was a man no less respected for his virtues in private life than esteemed
for his talents and his usefulness as a Christian preacher.
WILLIAM TURTON'S MARRIAGE.
The author is indebted to Mr. Arthur A. Rollason's untiring researches
in local registers for <strong>the</strong>se results, which have fortunately come to light
in time to be included here :-
WEST BROMWICH PARISH REGISTERS.
7 2 rub, I 659, Mr. WiZZiam Tz~rton, minister, <strong>of</strong> Rowley, and Mrs. &Iargery
Grove were marrz'ed, and declared husband and wzye by W. Richard
Hilton, our minister.
ROWLEY REGIS PARISH REGISTERS.
I 659. MARRIAGE.
Yzrlry I 2, Mr. WiZZia?~t Tz~iton, minister, and Margery Grove, daughter <strong>of</strong> Mrs.
RusselZ, <strong>of</strong> this parish, married at West Bro~~zwich, by Richard NiZZto~z,
tnirzister <strong>the</strong>re.
I 660. 3une 3, yosiah S. Mr. WilZiatt~ alzd Jflajyery Turton baptized.
I 663. March 8, Nathz- S. Mr. WiZZiam and Margery Z~rton, minister, baptized.
The Grove family <strong>of</strong> Rowley and Halesowen was a family <strong>of</strong> importance.
I have a note <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> marriage <strong>of</strong> George Grove with Margery White,
at Halesowen, and he is described as her guardian. If it was his widow
who Mr. Turton married I cannot understand her being descri ed as a
daughter <strong>of</strong> Mrs. Russell. " k
Mrs." or " Mistress " were used in <strong>the</strong> old
"M.R., 1827, p, 927, and C.R., 1827, p. 468.
days though to distinguish even an unmarried gentlewoman, <strong>the</strong>refore Mrs.
Margery Grove may mean that she was <strong>of</strong> gentle descent, and not a
widow. The Russells <strong>of</strong> Rowley and Dudley were an important family.
My view is that <strong>the</strong>y took <strong>the</strong>ir name from <strong>the</strong> old family <strong>of</strong> de Rushale
<strong>of</strong> (now) Rushall, near Walsall.
A. A. R.
SEDGLEY PARISH REGISTERS.
1775: Ajril, 25.
?ViZZia?n D. Wood. <strong>of</strong> Dudley, Bachelor, to illary Whitehause, Spinster, by
Zice~z ce.