ART. I. OBITUARY of early Ministers, &c. Continued. Accounts of Mariabella Farmborough, John Banks, Oliver Sansom, Thomas Docwra, Joseph Grove, John Thompson, Samuel Waldenfield, Richard Ransom, John Haydock, John Butcher, George Whitehead, George Chalkley, Andrew Jaffray, James Dickinson.

(Continued from p. 70.)

1. Mariabella, wife of Thomas Farmborough [of London] was convinced of the blessed truth about 1670, at a meeting of Friends when they met in the street, being kept out of their Meeting-houses. For many years before she was for hearing such as, she believed, preached and declared through their own experience of what the Lord had done for them, and in them. After her convincement she received a testimony [to bear in the way of ministry] for the sake whereof she suffered divers imprisonments, in Newgate, the Counter, and Bridewell in London; as also in Newgate and Bridewell in the city of Bristol.

She was a tender serviceable woman, and was instrumental in the hand of the Lord to turn people from darkness to light. She was remarkable for going early to meetings, and used to say, she loved to be one of the two or three early at meetings. And though in her old age she was afflicted with lameness and weakness of body, yet she was loath to miss meetings, though she could not go without help. when she came from thence would say, she found herself much better than when she went. She lived an innocent life, and was one of those useful in that time of persecution, in visiting Friends and encouraging them to their duty, as also in the case of the poor and distressed. She

And

quietly departed this life, saying a little while before that she had done her day's work to the best of her knowledge, the 3rd of the First Month 1708, in the Eighty-third year of her age. (a)

2. John Banks, born 1637 at Sunderland of honest parents, his father a felt-monger and glove-maker, at sixteen years of age was brought to the knowledge of God and the way of his blessed truth, before ever he heard any one called a quaker preach. By a secret direction in himself, attended with an intimation that they were the Lord's people, he was induced to go to a Quaker's Meeting at Pardshaw, where very few words were spoken: but a paper was there read [probably an Epistle] which was suitable to his condition; and through waiting diligently in the light of Christ, and keeping in the power of God, he came to experience the work thereof, and freedom from bondagethrough faithfulness unto the Lord.'

In the year 1663, he was drawn in his spirit to visit some neighbouring counties, and labour in the work of the ministry: and in 1668, he being further grown in the truth, was made willing to forsake all to answer the Lord's requirings, and travelled in the South and West of England in the Lord's service. After which he laboured zealously from year to year to preach the Gospel of peace, not only in England but in Scotland and Ireland. He crossed the sea twelve times, often with great difficulty in tempests and storms; and on land in danger of his life by robbers. He was made instrumental to turn many to righteousness; who remain the witnesses of his zeal and seals of his ministry. He had much suffering by the loss of goods, and by hard imprisonment; which he was enabled to go through, for the Lord was with him, and blessed his labours so that many, both men and women, were convincd and confirmed in the truth by him, and became faithful and able ministers and so continued till death; and others yet remain [date 1710–15.] He was twice married, and lived latterly in Somersetshire. died in 1710: to a friend bidding him farewell on his death-bed, he answered, 'I do fare well in the Lord-my love is to thee and all the faithful in Christ; adding, Joseph is yet alive,' [probably rejoicing in spirit over him, as alive unto God.] Then earnestly desired Friends to keep in the unity of the spirit, which is the bond of peace. Aged seventy-three, a minister forty-seven years. (b) There is extant a Journal of his Life and travels.

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3. Oliver Sansom of Abingdon was convinced of the blessed truth of God in the year 1657, received it in the love thereof and was faithful to it: and the Lord was pleased, (having fitted him for his service, and endued him with wisdom, understanding and sound judgment) to call him into the ministry, to preach and labour, in the Gospel of Christ and love of God, for the good of souls: which he did freely, in this nation and in Ireland; and was a valiant sufferer for the truth and the testimony thereof against all swearing, and tithes (c) and what the Lord raised him up, in His power, to testify against.

(b) Piety promoted, 4th part. Besse, Vol. i. 27, 28, 34, 36, 37, 222.

(a) Piety Promoted, 5th part. (c)

A Friend coming in love to see him on his death-bed said, 'We that are young in years shall greatly miss thy company amongst us.' To which he replied, It is not likely, by reason of my age, I should continue long with you. But be you faithful, as I have been, and you will have the same reward as I am like to have. And be you followers of Christ, as you have had me for an example: for I have been true to what the Lord hath committed to my charge.' He was released the 23rd of the Second Month 1710, and his body was honourably buried at Abingdon. Aged about seventy-four years. (d)

4. Thomas Dockery [Docwra?] of Silverdale, was born in Cumberland near Portinscall, brought up a scholar, and was reader at Withburne chapel in that county. Being a sober young man, and having inclinations in his heart to the true worship of God, which is spiritual, it pleased the Almighty to open his understanding, and shew him the mysteries of the kingdom of life and salvation, and the emptiness of the ways, forms and traditions of the world, and the evil of them; wherein he had been, amongst many others. Being now joined in Society with Friends, and having testified against his former practice, and returned the wages he had received for reading, he grew in the truth and was very instrumental in the service of the gospel; for the confirming of Friends in the faith, and information of such as opposed Truth and Friends.

He visited Friends' Meetings in England, Scotland and Ireland, being several times in the two latter nations: and at Aberdeen was put in prison, the priests incensing the magistrates against him; and remained there above three months.

He also several times accompanied George Fox to London, and elsewhere, in the service of the Gospel. In 1683, he settled at Silverdale in Lancashire, and belonged to Yealand Meeting above twentyseven years; a serviceable member.

He was exemplary in humility and lowliness of mind, lived in peace and unity with Friends, and was well esteemed amongst his neighbours. While his outward strength decayed he remained content in mind; the Lord dealing gently with him in his illness. Yet he grew weaker and weaker; and when asked how he did, replied, Very weakly; but well content to die, and be removed to Eternal rest with the Lord, whom I have served: which is now to me great satisfaction and content.' He died the 6th of the Twelfth Month, 1711, and was buried at Friends burying place at Yealand, about the Eightieth year of his age; a minister of the gospel fifty years. (e)

5. Joseph Grove, of Rotherhithe parish, Surry, (deceased 1714, aged 62) was the son of John Grove of Mary Magdalen's parish, mariner and mate of a ship; who for many years used the Barbadoes trade: and this Joseph Grove did reside in the Island of Barbadoes for many years; where, as well as since his return to his native country, he was of a sober conversation and good reputation; and a lover of truth and the friends of it, who kept their places therein.'

(d) Piety promoted, 4th part.

(e) Piety promoted, 5th part.

In the latter part of his time, he was often indisposed in body and much afflicted with pains ;—A little before his departure, he said he hoped he had fought a good fight, and doubted not of the crown: that he longed to be dissolved-saying to his wife, 'my dear love, weep not for me, for I seek death with more pleasure than all the riches the Indies can afford.'—' And great was his concern for his children, insomuch that he would often say, 'Oh, that they may choose the fear of the Lord! I desire that for them, more than all things here below : that is the best riches and the greatest honour.' And of the Lord's servants, with whom he could not now be present at meeetings, ‘Oh, that they may love Him, and then they must and will love one another!' 1 John iv. 20, 21.

6. John Thompson, of Crook in Westmorland, was convinced in the year 1652, by the preaching of George Fox. Through the righteous judgments of God, which he found to work in him to redeem him from wrong practices (though he had been a seeker, and strict in profession) he found the way of Truth narrow, and the sufferings attending it many: which yet he was made willing to bear-and go through cruel mockings, sufferings, revilings, imprisonment [on account of tithes] and spoiling of goods: rejoicing that the Lord had made him willing to suffer for his name's sake.

After some time the Lord was pleased to open his mouth by way of testimony for his blessed truth; in which he faithfully laboured. And though he never travelled much abroad, yet his ministry was reaching and refreshing to them that heard, and edifying to the churches where his lot was cast. He was very tender towards that which was good, in the least appearance of it; but very sharp against that which was evil, especially against those that professed the truth and were not faithful to that testimony Truth had called them to bear; but gave way to a libertine spirit, and were not willing to bear

the cross."

He died in the third month, 1715, aged eighty-seven. Many Friends being present, when one asked him how he was, he replied, 'I am very weak of body and full of pain, and as it seems to me, my stay here must not be long. But I have had a long time here, and the Lord hath been very kind to me, beyond what I have desired or deserved. But all is well ! The Lord's power is over all, and there is no guilt, no condemnation [Rom: viii. 1.] or bar between the Lord and my soul's peace : but the pure, holy seed [Christ] reigns over all, and I feel life spring up into dominion, and my heart is comforted among you, my dear Friends! And then he continued quiet, enjoying peace with the Lord. (f)

7. Samuel Waldenfield, born at Edmundsbury, Suffolk, died in great peace at his own house at Bush-hill, Middlesex, the 7th of the 8th month, 1715; aged about seventy-three ; convinced of the blessed truth by the word of life through Giles Barnardiston.

(f) Picty promoted, 5th part.

'He had a more than ordinary concern, in his testimony, to press and exhort to such a good life and conversation as becomes our christian profession: often signifying that coming to meetings, or pretence to religion and professing Christianity, was of little value without [it.] He often expressed himself to this effect that the pride, [evil] liberty and ill conversation of too many under the profession of Truth and the Christian religion, was a great grief and exercise to him; and the sins and miscarriages of such administered unto him [who was now an elder among the offspring of the first gathered quakers] much sorrow and affliction.'-Being also under great exercise of spirit 'that none might take upon them to be rulers in the church but men of truth, men fearing God and hating covetousness.' This concern grew upon him for several years to the end of his days. 'He was exemplary in his practice, being a man truly religious and of an innocent and virtuous life; full of love, good nature and good works; punctual to his word, just in his dealings, choosing rather to suffer injury than do wrong:' so that he had weight with his testimony, when he 'exhorted all to be just and true in their concerns among men.'

The poor loved him, to whom he was courteous and charitable, and the rich esteemed him greatly for his prudent and innocent behaviour.' [We may almost infer from this, when we find another substituted for him in an imprisonment for a meeting, (g) that it was a special favour shewn him, by the Magistrates of the city for the time.-Ed.]

He travelled in the work of the ministry near forty thousand miles (in England, Scotland, Ireland, Holland and Germany) by an account which he kept to the year 1700; beside his journies about home from that time to his death, the amount of which was very considerable. (h) 8. Richard Ransom, miller, of North Walsham, Norfolk, was convinced of the holy truth about the year 1676; and to him through the Lord's mercy it was given not only to believe in God, and in Jesus Christ his Son, but also to suffer long and hard imprisonment for his name's sake-near fifteen years. And as he was faithful and zealous for the Lord, he was pleased to qualify, call and send him forth, freely to preach the Gospel of peace and of the grace of God: and He did attend him with his power and presence, and bless his labours of love for the good of souls. And he travelled much in England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland.

In his travels in Gloucestershire he was taken ill, and at Bristol his disorder appeared to be the small-pox. Which when he perceived, he said that, as the Lord had carried him through the nations to this time, and now laid this distemper upon him, he thought it was for his end. So he made his will, and desired a letter might be wrote to his family expressing his near and dear love for them, and concern for their preservation in the Truth. He prayed fervently for his Friends; that the Lord would bless them in their meetings and in their families,

(g) Besse, vol. 1, p. 460, line 34. (h) Picty promoted, 5th part.