HISTORY OF BISHOP AUCKLAND. 147 There seems no record as to who laid the foundation stone of the first chapel, or who preached the opening sermons ; or whether it was customary in those days, as in more modem times, to celebrate events of this description in a manner befitting their importanca The cheap newspaper press — the great chronicler of such events — had not then sprung into existence, and hence the particulars have been allowed, like many similar events, to die out and be, forgotten with the generation who witnessed them.* Four years after the first building was erected, we find in a deed of surrender, dated May 1st., 1807, that an adjoining cottage was purchased from James Barry, of the city of Durham, currier; and that the whole property, including the chapel previously built, was surrendered to and put in trust of Richard and Anthony Steele, both of Barnard Castle, curriers; Isaac Nicholson, of the same place, stationer; John Wilkinson, of Bishop Auckland, currier; Henry Kilbum, of the same place, whitesmith; William Atkinson, of the same place, tailor; Benjamin Liddell, of Cater House, farmer; Michael Bell, of the parish of Brancepeth, brickmaker; and William How, of Byers Green. We extract the following from the trust deed above mentioned: — Now this indenture witnesseth that in pursuance of the said trusts and confidence so placed in the said James Barry as aforesaid, and for carrying the same trusts into execution, and for and in consideration of the sum of ten shillin gs of lawful money of the United Kingdom of Qreat Britain and Ireland (as current in Great Britain), to the said James Barry, in hand well and truly paid by the said Eichard Steele, Anthony Steele, Isaac Nicholson, John Wilkinson, Heniy Eilbum, William Atkinson, Benjamin liddell, Michael Bell, and William How, at or before the sealing and delivery of these presents, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged : He, the said James Barry, for himself, his heirs, executors, and administrators, doth covenant, promise, and agree with and to the said Richard Steele, Anthony Steele, Isaac Nicholson, John Wilkinson, Henry Kilbum, William Atkinson, Benjamin Liddell, Michael Bell, and William How, by these presents in manner following, that is to say, that he, the said James Barry, shall and will, within ten days from the date of these presents, surrender into the hands of the lord, and according to the custom, of the manor of Bondgate in Auckland, to the use of the said Richard Steele, Anthony Steele, Isaac Nicholson, John Wilkinson, Henry Kilbum, William Atkinson, Benjamin Liddell, Michael Bell, and William How, and their sequels in right, all and singular the said premises, with the appurtenances, described in the before-recited surrender of the fourth day of October, one thousand seven hundred and thirty-seven, and surrendered to the said James Barry by the before-recited surrender of the thirteenth day of Febmary, one thousand eight hundred and six, which said premises do now consist of and comprise a messuage or tenement or dwelling-house, now in the possession of Thomas Blackett, and also a building lately erected for a meeting-house for the said society, called Methodists, with the outbuildings, yard, or garden behind the same premises, and other the appurtenances thereunto belonging, situate, standing, and being in Bondgate Street in Bishop Auckland aforesaid, which premises do bounder on a messuage and garden belonging to Dorothy Whitfield, widow, on the east and north, on a messuage belonging to Mr Dixon on the west, and the town street on the south, together with all and singular houses, outhouses, edifices, buildings, ways, waters, water-courses, lights, liberties, privileges, emoluments, and appurtenances whatsoever to the said premises, or any part thereof belonging, or in anywise appertaining, or to or with the same used, occupied, possessed, or enjoyed. To have to the said Richard Steele, Anthony Steele, Isaac Nicholson, John Wilkinson, Henry Kilbum, William Atkinson, Benjamin liddell, Michael Bell, and William How, and their sequels in right t9, for, and upon the several trusts, provisoes, and conditions, and to and for the several intents and purposes hereafter mentioned, expressed, and declared (that is to say), upon special trust and confidence and to the intent that they, the said Richard Steele, Anthony Steele, Isaac Nicholson, John T'^lkinson, Henry Kilbum, William Atkinson, Benjamin Liddell, Michael Bell, and William How, and the survivors of them and the trustees for the time being (to be nominated and appointed in manner hereinafter mentioned), do and shall from time to time, and at all times hereafter, permit and suffer the said Society of Methodists, for the time being resident at or in the neighbour-
- Th6 Ukte John Wilkinson was one of the first men of diBtmction in this town who joined the Wesleywi body, and has senerally
been considered the father of Wesleyan Methodism in Bishop Auckland. He was a christian of the old type, though be had none of the cantin^i acidity of puritamsm ia hiuL His character was mild and benevolent, with a quaint humour, which he ofttimes used in a quiet way m the pulpit as well as out of it ; — for he was what b termed a locid preacher, and oft occupied that position on a Sunday afternoon. An anecdote is related of him iUustrative of this trait in his character. He was much troubled during his ministrations by the sleeping, during sermon time, of two of his hearers, who were old members, and who always sat together in the singing pew immediately below the pulpit, and he hit upon the following enedient to keep them both awak& He went to one of them, who for the sake of distinction we shall call Jaokey, and said to him, '* Jackey, aw wish thou would look after auld Tommy, and try to keep him awake ; he falls asleep every Sunday sitemoon and snores like a trooper, disturbing both the preacher and the whole congrega- tion. " After extorting a promise from him that he would do so, he also went to Tommy and made precisely the same complaint against Jackey, at the same time urging the same request that he would also look strictly after his neighWr and keep him awake ; and the result was, that their unconscious watchfulness of each other kept them both awake, and workM in them an effectual cure. Another anecdote is told of a reproof he gave to another member, who was fond of spending his time in trifling things to the neglect of his more important work, and whom he found one day making a bird oaae, * * John," says he, "when I was a chiM, I spoke as a child ; I understood as a child ; I thought as a ohild : but when I became a manl put away childiBh thing*." Digitized by Google
