John Ryland, Bristol, to the Revd Mr. Slate, Stand, near Manchester, 7 January 1824.

Bristol Jan. 7. 1823^4^

Dear Sir

         I recd your letter, but had only a faint remembrance of seeing Mrs Dickenson some years [ago], as she had not called on me since she came to town last. I applied to a friend who knew her well, and expected that he, being a great Antiquarian, wd have most readily have managed the business as soon as possible. But I wondered he did not make more haste about it. I spoke to him again 3 or 4 days ago, still I heard nothing. I have just sent to him, and he has sent me a note, from Mr Cooking recommending Mrs Dickenson, who, I suppose by this, intends to commune with our little church [the Independent meeting in Broadmead] next Lord’s day. I only mention these things to excuse my delay.

         Now, as to the Book itself. Mrs Dickenson has sent it up, and says she has no objection to my seeing it, but is unwilling it should go out of Town. –

         If I was in her case I should be of the same mind, for it is in a most shatter’d state, tho to one of the family especially it wd be valuable as a Curiosity. It is called Northowram Register by Mr Oliver Heywood & Mr T. Dickenson &c. It begins in 1645 and is divided into 3 Columns: Christenings Marriages Burials. By looking hastily over it, I should think the Deaths of many are register’d who would not belong to their Congregation, nor were they buried there.

         On p. 16 is a considerable blank and in the bottom of the column for burials is the following entry

This long interval of almost ten years I was parted from the exercize of my ministerial function by the Act of Uniformity in Aug. 24. 1662.  Restored again to my work by the King’s declaration March 12, 1672, to ministerial employment in mine own house.

[Ryland then proceeds to copy a section of the book from p. 17, with dates from the 1670s, keeping all three columns in line. This portion is not transcribed below. Ryland then picks up his letter after this section ends.]

There are 306 persons. I suppose this will be sufficient specimen of the whole. If you still want to see it, you had better apply immediately to Mrs Dickenson at Mr Wm Pollard’s St James’s Barton, Bristol. –

         There are 3 or 4 difft Hand writings in the Book, which comes down to 1796. A few entries are made still later. – Geo. Whitefield’s death is noticed in p. 306, who is stiled a great good Christian and most laborious preacher.

296. The Revd Mr Thos Dickenson Mint at North Owram died 26 Decr 1743 aged 73 at one in the morng died. Nature being far spent a visible decay appeard abt July or Augt wh increased gradually till the time of his death. He preach’d at Gorton Chapel in Lancash. Ordain’d May 24, 1694 remov’d to North Owram in the year 1702 abt 42 yrs. He was an eminent useful and faithful Minr of God’s Word. A meek and humble Christian, an affecte tender parent, a loving husband, a sincere friend and social neighbour, a cheerful companion, very temperate, had an uncommon memory, lived well and died looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

         The many References to the deaths of Mintrs is the most interesting.

         I am sorry I had it not in my power to get you satisfaction sooner. I wish you much success in the work of the Lord and am

                                 Yours respectfully

                                             John Ryland

Address: Revd Mr Slate | Stand | near | Manchester

Postmark: none

Note: “This Mr be John Ryland Junr as John Ryland Senr died 24 July 1792” [initials that follow not clear]

Text: John Ryland Folder, RG no. 1126, American Baptist Historical Society Archives, Atlanta.