Melksham, Wiltshire, Baptists

Melksham, Wiltshire, Baptists. The following account is taken from Broughton Road Baptist Church, Melksham (Trowbridge: Massey & Co, 1909).

In 1777 a Mr Freeman from Bath came as minister, but he died shortly thereafter (Broughton Road 8). The next settled minister was not until a Mr Wilson, a student at Bristol, came in 1790, but he left in 1791 for Wales, where he died (8). A Mr Braker preached for much of 1792, but left in 1793 for Hatch. In 1794, Thomas Ward, a Bristol student, came to Melksham, and was officially installed in June 1797, with Burchell of Tetbury, Ryland, Hughes and Francis participating (9). Ward resigned in 1818, and was replaced by John Shoveller, who was installed on 7 April 1819. This is the son, for the father helped in the service, as did Mr Horsey of Taunton, Ryland, and Saunders. Shoveller resigned in 1823 and removed to Bridgenorth, Shropshire (10). A Mr Sturges preached from 1826 to 1829, and then William Keene came. He left in 1834, and was about to be replaced by Stephen Sincox from Dorchester, but he declined. Instead, Joshua Russell came and remained until 1844 (13).