plp 31-5-12
Rev. Hugh Carter
Monmouth, Burslem Burslem Dec, 11,1819
My Dear Brother;
A multitude of circumstances have kept me from answering
your last letter sooner. I really feel very much for you, and it does appear
to me that Brother Evans is hard upon you. I do think that poverty is your
greatest defect. And this being the case, I think you may in a measure,
compose yourself. The same affliction is endured by many of your Brethren who
therefore can sympathize with you.
As to the "profits of Books" sold by us, strictly
speaking this belongs solely to the Superintendent, especially as he is made
debtor for them and has most of the trouble. But when Circuits are in one, or
one in two, as with you, justice would say, that if Brother Jewett have the
trouble of the Books sold at Abeyavenny, and make up all -opes there, then he
ought at least to share the profits of those Books. Settle it between
yourselves amicably. He cannot demand any share of the profits; and you cannot
command him to take any care of trouble in selling the Books. It is an extra
thing, added our ministerial work.
As to the "several Chapels, which are not settled
according to the Conference-Plan", th rule you mention is not repealed.
However, we do occupy sundry Chapels which are not so settled. It is well to
try to get them all settled. But, whether they be settled or not, it is
utterly wrong to take the Clap money or ticket money to pay the interest on
money raised towards building them. Not-- one penny of the money raised in the
Chapels as clap-money or ticket-money, ought to go for that purpose but that
of paying the expenses of the Preachers and their families. Upon this -ead you
have a right to be explicit and firm.
Praying God to help and bless you and yours,
I remain your truly affectionate Brother,
Jonathan Crowther
PLP 31-5-14 Stockport
April 25,1814
Dear Jonathan
In the choice of your business and station it been my earnest wish and
prayer to be directed and superintended by a Providence. I has also a desire
that if it were possible you should be in the service, and under the
protecting wing of the Methodist Connexion. Therefore, you will remember that
my first endeavour was to get you to the printing office at our Book Room in
London. This I expected to accomplish and wrote about it only just before you
went to London. But I was deprived of hope. But you had not been many days in
Staffordshire, before I received two letters enquiring whether you were fixed
in a situation, etc. I did not at first fully understand what they meant and
sometime before I answered. This produced a full explanation as you will see
shortly. You know the premium especially as it would be more than I could
furnish at present created a difficulty from the first of my correspondence
with Mr Tomkinson, however, I had totally made up my mind as to 40 Pounds. But
his letter of the 21st instant considerably increased the difficulty. He wants
a still larger premium and I do not know, because he does not say to what
amount and it will not be now be of any use to ask. While I remain in a state
of embarrassment and undetermined what answer to give him.
I received a letter from Mr Blanshard, our book seller, written last Friday
of which I here give you an extract.
"We want a youth in the shop to assist in our retail trade. We had had
Mr McDonalds son ever since his coming to London and he has proved a very
steady excellent youth. We have now taken him into the warehouse and want
another for the shop. If you would like your son to come to the situation, we
will take him. We should take him into our own family. He might, if it should
appear desirable after a trial be bound apprentice to Mr Cordeaux, who is a
freeman of London: then he would have his freedom also. Whether he ought in
the last years of his time to learn the printing business would be after
consideration. In two or three years some of our apprentices will be free,
What we wish to to engage him for, is the Book Selling part of the business,
which he must be in a year or two before he would be of much use. For that
time, it would be enough to find him his board. Afterwards, we would give him
wages according to merit, ten, fifteen or twenty pounds a year besides his
board. If you think it advisable to send your son, we should him to be here
about the twelfth or fourteenth of May. In the interim, you will let us hear
from you and say what you intend to do"
When the Lord conducted the children of Israel from Egypt to Canaan, he did
not take them the direct road, but he tried and proved them by leading them
about or taking them by a circuitous rout ,Exodus 13:8,Deut 32:20 yet he
finally brought them to point originally intended. Something a little
resembling this seems to be in your case. The Book-Room was the first object;
you have been on the point of being fixed again and again and now the way
opens beyond all previous expectations and circumstances peculiarly favourable.
Before when we thought your going to London we seen a difficulty about your
board and lodging. That is removed and that in the most agreeable way. Mr
Blanchard will board and lodge you, and there will be nothing to pay. Mr.
Blanchard is a very nice, mild, agreeable man and Mrs. Blanchhard is a plain,
kind, and motherly woman. Formerly, when we thought of your going to the
Book-Room we feared that constant confinement in the printing office might not
altogether agree with your health. This difficulty is removed for part of your
time you must be in the shop, which is a very pleasant airy one, and in one of
the most healthy and agreeable parts of London. You will find many persons in
London with whom you are acquainted, preachers and others, as Mr Gaulte, Mr
Mcdonald, Mr Storey, your cousin Thomas. We can hear from you every month
without expense in the book parcel and you can hear from us every time you
write to Mr Blanchard. You will enjoy matchless advantages as to hearing
preaching and for improvement in various ways.
I think of securing you the latter part of your time for learning the
printing business. In the meantime, it will make a vast difference with me
instead of having 40 pounds to advance now they will take you without premium;
and instead of my having to find you clothes and for more than six years, you
will after a year of two, be able to do for yourselves. These things will make
to me a difference of more than 100 pounds before you will be 21 years old,
and to a man with 7 children this is a serious thing.
In an hour after receiving Mr F's letter and Mr Blanchards I have made up
my mind for your coming home and spending a week or two, the departing for
London. Mr. Geshar, Mr Fairbourne etc, give their opinion in favour of this.
Mr Jackson is of the same mind and sends his kind love to you. I enclose a one
pound note. Pay what you can, make you own aprons into a wrapper to hold your
things and get on the coach. Your mother joins me in best respects to Mr &
Mrs. -----. I shall always esteem them. You see I and say ---- --- about the
charity sermons read this letter.
your affectionate father
Jon. Crowther
ps
I cannot now enjoy the --------- hour preaching the charity sermons at
Stokes. Love to the preachers and friends. Your mother as well as myself
------ thanks Mr and Mrs. F and all friends for the every kindness towards you
at Stokes.
plp 31-5-15
Southport April 28,1814
Dear Jonathan
I am sorry to pain your feelings or thwart your wishes. But
nothing of this kind is done designedly, but I may say of unavoidable
necessity. We have thought, felt, and said much, upon both sides of the
question. And our present opinion is, that it will be best to have a
consultation with you before we come to a final consideration. But we cannot
come to Stokes, our number being seven, but you can come to Stockport. You
must therefore come without any further delay. And if after all examination
and understanding of every circumstance of the case, it should appear that
Stokes will be as good, or nearly as good for you as London, then to Stokes
you shall go. And which way ever the point may be decided, Mr Tompkinson shall
know in a few days. but as everything is uncertain and as ----- ------
------------- --------.
PS As Mr Tomkinson says he should be willing to take
something less than 40 pounds rather than part with you, bring an exact
account of the smallest sum he will take, that we may fully understand every
particulars
( no signature) addressed to Mr Jonathan Crowther
At Mr Tomkinson's
Bookseller
Stokes, Staffordshire
PLP31-5-16 Stockport
July 2,1814
Dear Jonathan,
We received your letter with the books and that by the
Post, with pleasure.
You have seen so much greatness and the splendour in London
that you might be content were you to see nothing but humble things for a long
time to come. We were glad, however to hear of your innocent gratification but
far more glad to hear you had gotten into a class. Nothing will do us any good
without true religion. But possessed of that, everything may do us good. With
the very great advantages which you enjoy in London you should greatly and
rapidly grow in wisdom and holiness.
We had our Quarterly Meeting on Monday, The company was
larger, and some movements of an unpleasant nature were generally expected.
But whatever might be intended nothing was done nor attempted. Upon the whole,
it was a very smooth, quiet, good meeting. Nothing was said either about
myself, or any other person, being here, or not being here, the past year.
Even Mr. Middleton seemed to be mild.
Mrs. Fairbourn died on Tuesday evening and no doubt very
well. Yesterday morning between one and two o'clock they set off with her to
Skipton to bury her. Mr Feamside is gone with them and is to preach a sort of
funeral sermon at Skipton.
Hannah is still at Halifax, but is to come home the next
week. She was well when heard from her and Mr Edmond Ashworth was here Tuesday
week.
I think that we have nothing new or very remarkable. Mr
Jackson send his kind remembrance and says he is very glad that while your
eyes are feasted with the sight of Emperors things and other illustrious
personages that you still remember an old pilgrim.
This day fortnight if all be well, I must reach Bristol.
I think I have nothing more to say at present but that you
must watch and pray & remember us kindly to to Mr. and Mrs. Blanshard,
your cousin, the Preachers who may enquire after me and that I am
Your affectionate father
Jonathan Crowther
PLP 31-5-17
Bristol, July 26,1814
My Dear Jonathan,
I received your letter and am glad to find that you are
well. I think of returning home though London. But, before I come I should
like to hear from you, and to know all your mind about your present situation.
I am still of the same mind, that is, not to hasten anywhere against your
will. But, you must consider, that every situation, has some imperfections,
and that are altogether free from some disagreeable things.
Our President is Dr. Clarke, and our Secretary.
I'm very full of work, being upon seconding Committees,
besides having to look after the Stations of the Manchester District.
Whether I shall finally stand for Stockport is at present
rather uncertain. Could I remove without injury to myself, and the Connexion?
My inclination would lead me that way, but I wish to be guided by the
Conference and Providence.
I now give you some of the Stations as the stand at the
present.
London- East, James Wood, Sam Bradbam, John Gander, Jon.
Edmondson, James Brikley.
London- West, Jos. Entaisle, Jos.Sutcliffe, A. Clarke, Wm.
Bramwell.
Stockport, Jon. Crowther,David McNichol, Arthur Triffett.
Liverpool, Henry Moore,Esmund Hare, John Stephens, Jacob
Startey.
Halifax, Charles Atmore, Thos. Vasey, ????, Robt. Mather.
Mr. Fairborn for Preston, and Mr Feamside for Haslingden,
Mr Storm for Rochester.
Your Uncles Timothy and Robert where they were last year.
Watch and Pray, Guard against dissipation, and in order to
do this have a ? pattern or New Testament in your pocket and daily read
something in the Bible, and that in order and above all set continually before
you.
I am dear Lad
Your affectionate Father
Jon. Crowther
As to Preaching at Conference, I have little more to say,
that my mind is labouring under the impression that I am appointed to preach
in the Ebenezer Chapel, where we hold the Conference tomorrow evening.
PLP31-5-18 Stockport
Sep 27,1814
Dear Jonathan;
14 City Road, London
We received yours of the 19th instant and were glad to
learn you were well and content.
As to the District meetings we have not had one yet, nor is
it certain that we shall have one. I have been inclined to call one but love
of quietness has thus far kept me from so doing, and the dissatisfied, however
the may have bestirred themselves in other respects, have shown no disposition
to call such a meeting. In a little time we shall see our way in this as well
as other respects.
As to your apprenticeship, when will it expire, an where
may you lodge at some future period, it is time enough yet to be thinking much
about them. You said Mr. Cordeax would give you a note which I suppose you
will look after.
Keep what religion you have by watching and praying and
being faithful and obedient and get the grace which you further want. Take
care of soul above all things. Rise betimes in the morning that you may read
portion of scripture before you go to business. Be sure to meet in some class
and that constantly. And go to prayer meetings and when have an opportunity
exercise there. You will find it of a great device to you mind.
But you see how the writing gets blotted. This was done by
Joshua, when they had put him upon my knee for a minute and he gave a plunging
slap at my paper.
We have not had any contest or ferment with the "Hissory
Sticks" for five weeks past. But Middleton Smith and I like the Jews and
Samaritans, have no dealings with each other. Mr Feamside paid us a visit
about a fortnight since and Mr. Fairbourn is in Stockport at present.
We were a good deal amused by your speculation about
getting into an Almshouse should live to grow old and have 20 Lb a year and 2
Chaldwall foals. Thank God for all the blessings, but above all, that when we
leave this world we may get to a habitation of perfect rest and happiness in
comfortable and undefiled and not jadeth away and where neither money nor
coals will be wanted only let us fear lest a promise being left out of
entering into his rest, we should come short of it Heb 4:1.
Mr Nicol seems likely to be very acceptable and indeed Mr
Triffet also and I think they will make two good and faithful colleagues. But
time and events will tell everything more fully.
Your mother joins me in best respects to Mr and Mrs.
Blanchard, Mr Cordeaux, Mr Knise, Cousin Thomas, Mr and Mrs.. James Wood, Mr
and Mrs. McDonald and I pray tell us in your next how Mrs. McDonald is as to
her health. William Jackson &------
send their love to you.
It will not be long now before I shave have to write for
the books, when you will have another opportunity of the sending a letter or
packet in the parcel.
Ask Mr Blanchard to let you take the packet for Mr Edwards
to his office and that as soon as possible, and that at a time when he may be
likely to be there.
You may employ and amuse yourself with keeping a journal of
your daily proceedings and sundry occurrences and send us a copy of it every
month along with the magazines.
I remain your affectionate father
JONATHAN CROWTHER
PS I suppose Mr Gaulter will be at the committee about the
time you will receive this. ,give him the letter immediately. Write a line by
return of post that we may be sure of the safe arrival of the parcel.
