Vol 2, pages 1-100 - My Primitive Methodist Ancestors

THE PERIOD OF CIRCUIT PREDOMINANCE A.ND ENTERPRISE. 79
214 members. Henceforward, until 1850, it was once more a branch of Hull. It
assumed circuit rank again in 1851-2. From 1853 to 1863, inclusive, it was a branch
of Scarborough. Lastly, in 1864 it was again made a circuit, and as such has
continued.
During its long and somewhat chequered history, Tadcaster has had a succession of
staunch adherents who have stood by the cause in sunshine and shade. "We find the
name of John Swinden figuring in documents of the early 'Thirties. He and his
wife Elizabeth were converts of W. Clowes in 1825, and ever since 1835 there have
been two of this name on the plan. The Rev. John Swinden, a scion of this family, is
one of the goodly .number Tadcaster Circuit has sent into the ranks of the regular
ministry. Of these the Rev. Wilson Eccles is another modern representative. Three
of the aforesaid Elizabeth Swinden's brothers Atkinson by name became useful local
preachers, while a fourth was class-leader. Thus we see again the hereditary principle
at work.
RIPON.
When Ripon
is
mentioned, we are not to think merely of the pretty though somewhat
sleepy city on the Ure, with its ancient Cathedral of St. Wilfrid, together
with its
adjacent villages, which represents the Ripon Circuit of to-day. Rather are we to
figure to ourselves a tract of country stretching from the borders of Leeds and Tadcaster
Circuits to Middleham, and from the valley of the IS'idd to Thirsk, comprising what
-are now the Harrogate, Knaresboro', Pateley Bridge, Thirsk, Ripon, Bedale, and
Middleham Circuits. They took seizin of this country for the Connexion, though
as yet all of it
might not be effectively occupied. The Ripon Circuit, formed in 1822,
ultimately grew to be with its branches one of the most extensive Circuits in the
Connexion, and, after 1824, when it was incorporated with the newly formed Sunderland
District, it was travelled by some of the best known and most capable ministers of
that District.
W. Clowes opened Knaresbro' as early as October 24th, 1819, by preaching "abroad"
amid wind and rain at nine o'clock in the morning, and in a dwelling-house in the
-evening. On the Tuesday following, he preached in a different part of the town and
formed a society of four members. Two other visits to Knaresbro' were paid before
the year closed, and kindly mention is made of an old Scotchwoman, Mary Brownridge,
who bade him welcome to what her house afforded. At already fashionable Harrogate
" the uncircumcised fastened the door of the house he was
" in to prevent his egress ;
but he got out at the back of the premises. At Killinghall, hard by, he preached in a
joiner's shop and in the Wesleyan Chapel, and while at family prayers next morning at
the house of Mr. Swales, two of his servant-men cried out for mercy. It was while
tramping through the snow from Harrogate to Leeds that Clowes had his encounter
with a gentleman riding a very fine horse, who proved to be the Vicar of Harewood.
The long discussion between them led Clowes to indulge in sundry reflections, one of
which was that, notwithstanding all his privations and sufferings, and the toil and
persecution he suffered as a missionary of the cross, he would not exchange situations
with the Vicar of Harewood, "for," adds he, "my religion makes my soul happy." Mr.
Clowes also visited Whixley, the home of the Annakin family, and Burton Leonard,