Rev. Thomas Dickenson

Thomas Dickenson From ‘The Memorial notes by James Harriott

The Rev. Thomas Dickenson, of Northowram, near Halifax. He is perhaps best known as one of the compilers of the remarkable " Northowram Register," which he continued for nearly 50 years, and which in 1881, was so ably popularized by Mr. Horsfall Turner, of Idle, near Leeds, from whom copies cant be had. Mr. James Harriott, of Lombard Street, London, who married a daughter of the Rev. Thomas Dickenson, has left us copious accounts of the Harriott family, and also of the Dickensons, from which a long extract may be quoted. He was the youngest son of Roger and Hannah Harriott, was born in Dowgate Hill, London, February 16th, 171 8, served his apprenticeship to the Cordwainers, became a Volunteer during the time of the Rebellion of 1745, and then continued the family history as follows: — " September 29th, 1746, I took a shop at the corner of White Hart Court, Lombard Street. September 29th, 1747, 1 married Miss Mary Dickenson, (the marriage ceremony was performed at St. Benet's, Paul's Wharf) the daughter of the late Rev. Thomas Dickenson, of Northowram, in the parish of Halifax, in the County of York, by Hannah, his wife, daughter of Mr. Richard Foster, Cloth-worker, of Ossett, near Wakefield, in the said County, where his ancestors had been resident many years. My father-in-law (Rev. Thomas Dickenson) descended from the ancient family of Dickenson, at Heaton, near Manchester, in the Counl\- o( Lancaster, was born April 14th, 1669, and babtized the 24th of the same month, and educated for the work of the university. About the 25th year of his age, he was solemnly set apart to that sacred office, at Gorton. in .u Manchester, on Thursday, the 29th of March, 1694, by the laying on of hands, with fasting and prayer." (A copy of the testimonial given on that occasion is here subjoined). " Whereas Mr. Thomas Dickenson hath addressed himself to us, Ministers of the Gospel in the County of Lancaster, whose names are here subjoined, desiring to be ordained a Presbyter, and he having given sufficient Testimonial of his diligence and proficiency in his studies, and unblameableness of life and conversation, and all exercises duly performed. These may testifie to all it may concern that upon Thursday, the 29th of March, we have proceeded to set him apart to the office of a Presbyter and work of the Ministry of the Gospel, by laying on of hands with fastfng and prayer, by virtue whereof we do declare him to be a lawful and sufficiently authorized Minister of Jesus Christ, to exercise his Ministry in any place where divine Providence may call him, and particularly at Gorton, near Manchester, for the present, exhorting the people in the name of Jesus Christ, willingly to receive and encourage him in the execution of the said office, that he may be able to give such account to Christ of their obedience to his ministry in the Lord, as may be to his joy and their everlasting comfort. In witness whereof we have hereunto put our hands this twenty-third day of March, in the Year of our Lord, 1694. Henry Finch, Moderator, John Chorlton, Scribe, Henry Newcome, Robert Eaton, Roger Baldwin, Samuel Augier, Nathaniel Scholes." Mr. Dickenson must have continued at Gorton about eight years, for, on the death of that venerable man of God, Mr. Oliver Heywood, (who died May 4th, 1702, in the 73rd year of his age, in the house which he had built at Northowram, from which place he had been ejected in 1662, and adjoining a chapel where he collected a Church from among his old people at Coley and places adjacent) he succeeded to the pastoral care of the Church at Northowram, and purchased of the heirs of Mr. Heywood his late dwelling-house. Here he continued his ministerial labours with unremitting diligence and great success, till his deith, December 26th, 1743, in the 7^-th year of his age. He w r as buried in the Chapel, at Northowram, and the following is the inscription on the monument: " Under- neath this monument lieth the body of Rev. Mr. Thomas Dickenson, a worthy Mimister of the Gospel, who was eminent and exemplary for Piety and Usefulness, he behaved well in all stations of life with meekness and universal charity. He was continued a shining light in this place 42 years, and died comfortably and much lamented the 26th of December, 1743, aged 74." One of his printed sermons, and several in manuscript are extant, and breathe a fervent, loving, and devout spirit. The patience of his hearers must have been very great, though, one of them, preached at Leeds, November 28th, 1736, on the death of Mrs. Mercy Whitaker, filling 26 letter-sheets, very closely written. But by far the most interesting document that has been handed down, written in his clear handwriting, is addressed, " To my dear daughter, Mary Dickenson, in London," and is dated March nth, 1731, when she was 14 years of age. As he refers in the introduction to the piety of her ancestors, and therefore, through her, to the ancestors of all for whom these records are designed, it shall be inserted nearly in full : " My dear child, in answer to your earnest and often repeated request, I have at last redeemed a little time from my other necessary and urgent occasions to transcribe the sermon which I preached in Ossett, September 18th, 1730, being the day that my dear and honoured father-in-law, your good grand-father, was brought to the grave, having finished his course in this world, in the 78th year of his age. The children and grand-children may and ought to esteem it a great and valuable blessing that they are the posterity of such as feared God, filled up their time and place in the world to good purpose, and were useful in their generation, who have set them a good example in all Christian graces and Gospel duties, given them many pious and serious instructions, and put up many importunate and earnest prayers to God for them. And very diligent and careful they should be to make good use and improvement of the good advice and example they have been privileged with, else their sin will be highly- aggravated, and their condemnation more great and dreadful than that of others ; for the prayers and piety of religious parents and progenitors will not save their wicked posterity. See Math. iii. 8-10; Luke xiii. 28-29. "The Providence of God has so ordered it that you and several of my dear Children are placed at a considerable distance from their parents ; but though out of sight, you are not out of mind, but frequently upon our spirits in our applications to the throne of grace ; so it should be a great satisfaction and comfort indeed, might we but see or hear of the grace of God in you all. None ever repented that they began too soon to seek or serve God, or that they did too much for Him The God of heaven calls for and will graciously accept of your early services. ' I love them that love Me, says He, ' and they that seek Me early shall find Me' : Prov. viii. 17. Some have observed that John, who is called the disciple whom Jesus loved, was younger when called and converted than any other of them. The God that made you is worthy to be served with the best of our time, parts, and strength. He desires the first ripe fruit. ' When Israel was a child, then I loved him,' says God, Hos. xi. i., My desire, request, and charge to you and all my children is that you look after the best things, the things that accompany salvation, now in the morning of your time : Ecc. xii. 1. Entertain and employ your early thoughts and time in the consideration of those weighty and important affairs which are of a spiritual nature, and which concern and relate to your everlasting peace. Consider that you have souls as well as bodies to be taken care of and provided for, precious and immortal souls, which are formed for an eternal duration. Why blessed be God, there is hope in Israel, a door of hope, Balm in Gilead, a Physician there ; the hurt of your souls may be healed Oh, be enquiring after this all-sufficient Saviour, and now you may have an interest in Him and His blessed benefits. Attend diligently on the Word of God and be much in prayer to the God of all grace for grace to help in time of need. To his blessing and grace I commit you all, who am Your truly loving and affectionate Father. Thomas Dickenson." The sermon sent along with this letter is 12 times as long as the foregoing letter, and it shows much loving consideration for the little far-away daughter's request, that so busy a man should secure time to copy it all out for her. It has evidently been carefully treasured. A few sentences shall be culled from it, as they refer to the character of Richard Foster, of Ossett, his father-in-law, and therefore one of our ancestors.

" He feared God from his youth and above many, he excelled many others in gifts and knowledge, and God put an honour upon him in making him eminent in grace and usefulness too. He was a solid, judicious Christian, strictly pious and devout in his duty to God, and conscientious in his dealings with men. Though he lived a considerable time and had much to do with men and business, yet he hath left a good name, a fair character, behind him. Very careful he was to instruct his family in the things of God, keeping up religion and the worship of God constantly in his house, as well as attending diligently on public ordinances. He was an exceedingly kind and indulgent husband, a tender-hearted, affectionate father, a good master and useful neighbour, and I am persuaded he would be very much missed in this place, for there are few like-minded, so able and willing to lay out themselves for God. A great lover and honourer he was of good men and ministers of both denominations, Conformists or Non-Conformists, being ready on all occasions to counten- ance and encourage them .... But now he rests from his labours, and his good works follow him, in the blessed recompencc and rewards of glory." He left behind him a widow, four sons and four daughters. His widdow afterwards removed to London, where she lived several years, departing this life at Clerkenwell, on the 28th of July, 1765, in the 80th year of her age, and being interred at Bunhill Fields. (Her grandmother, Dame Foster, of Ossett, who died in 1709, had lived to be 95).

In Ossett, around 1648 was born Mr. Richard Foster (c. 1648 - September 17, 1730), an independent dissident and cloth merchant, persecuted for his beliefs until his death in 1730. He was the son of Dame Foster (1614-2 February 1709) and Richard Foster (1623-20 September 1710), both of Ossett. His parents married around 1648 at a time of great change as a result of the reign of Henry VIII of England, and together they had at least one child. Richard Foster married Hannah Burnet Jackson (1658-1724) on January 23, 1687 in Bilston and together they had 7 children: Stephen Foster of London (1682-1719), Joseph Foster of Ossett (1693-?), Richard Foster of Flanshaw Lane (1686-1729), Hannah Foster (1674-1763), Benjamin Foster of New York (1699-1735), Elizabeth Foster (c.1685-1740) and Mary Foster (1693-1760). The Nonconformist Register, the register comprising numerous notices of Puritans in and around Yorkshire, started by Oliver Heywood (1630-1702) and continued by the Reverend Thomas Dickenson (1669-1743), describes Richard Foster as follows: Mr. Richard Foster of Ossett, my dear and honorable father-in-law, died on September 17 after suffering severe strangulation pain for a considerable time, he had been of great help as a Christian and as a merchant.' Another carefully treasured document that has been passed down through the generations is a letter written by his son-in-law, Thomas Dickenson, to his granddaughter in 1731 that references his father-in-law Richard Foster: 'He feared God from his youth and over many, surpassed many others in gifts and knowledge, and God honored him by making him eminent in grace and usefulness as well. He was a solid and judicious Christian, strictly pious and devoted in his duty to God, and conscientious in his dealings with men. Although he lived a considerable time and had a lot to do with men and business, he has left a good name, a righteous character behind him. He was very careful to instruct his family in the things of God, keeping religion and the worship of God constantly in his home, as well as diligently attending to public ordinances. He was an exceedingly caring and forgiving husband, a loving and tender father, a good master and a helpful neighbor, and I am convinced that he will be greatly missed in this place, for there are few like-minded so capable and willing to give themselves for God. He was a great tribute to the good men and ministers of both denominations, conformists or non-conformists, being ready at all times to support and encourage them. But now he rests from his works, and his good works follow him, in the blessed reward and the rewards of glory.' Richard Foster died after suffering severe strangulation pains for a considerable time, on September 17, 1730, in Ossett, and was buried in Horbury Cemetery in Wakefield, England. Nonconformists, whether dissident Protestants or Roman Catholics, had suffered severe persecution for many years. However, there were groups of dissenters around Ardsley, Alverthorpe and Wakefield. They were Presbyterians. In 1717 they decided to establish a meeting place at Ossett, Mr. Richard Foster (c. 1648-1730) lent his pressing shop for their services, and his son-in-law, the Reverend Thomas Dickenson (1669-1743), a Presbyterian from Northowram, successor to Oliver Heywood (1630-1702), went to preach his first sermon. At some point in the early years, these Ossett dissenters established themselves as Congregationalists or Independents. It was probably more convenient for the group to run it's own affairs than to be tied to the Presbyterian form of Church government. It's ironic to remember that the union with the Presbyterians, so close at that time, took 250 more years to achieve. After 1717, meetings in the pressing shop continued with the help of the Reverend Thomas Dickenson (1669-1743), Mr. Joshua Dobson, and other preachers until two years had passed. Then, in 1719, Mr. Samuel Hanson agreed to be the regular pastor and received the Hewley Fund 1728-9. The congregation was small and the stipend must have been small, because we are told that "Mr. Hanson was engaged in agricultural activities during the week." He left Ossett in 1730 and was followed in 1731 by the Reverend Thomas Lightfoot of Long Houghton, who herded the little flock until his death in 1758. During Mr. Lightfoot's ministry, a chapel was built and we are told that "in 1733 subscriptions were opened for the construction of a Congregational Chapel at The Green, Ossett. John Fothergill, Richard Foster and forty-nine others contributed £ 51.11.0 together. " This seems like a very small sum to us, but we must remember that these people were not extremely wealthy and in 1738 a carpenter, for example, would receive a shilling a day. The amount raised must have been enough to build the chapel. "It was square and barn-like. The singing was accompanied by a bass cello. The benches were of the high-back type and some were twice the size and occupied by the older people in the congregation or by those with large families." Stables were provided for the horses. A deed of trust drawn up in 1737 stated that the trustees will seize a piece of land in Southwood Green with the premises erected there "with the intention and purpose that said chapel or meeting house be used and always employed as a place of worship by Protestants dissenters who resort there to hear prayers, sermons and other religious duties and for the ease and necessary reception of the congregation and for no other use, intention or purpose." Under Lightfoot's long ministry, the Chapel on The Green became the religious center of a large district, and people came from Dewsbury and Thornhill. The poorest would come on foot and the richest on horseback, bringing wives or daughters behind them. They were difficult years of change, restlessness and anguish due to England's long war with the French, and in 1795, the Reverend Thomas Taylor took on the great task of continuing the work in Ossett and during this same pastorate it was decided to modify and expand the chapel original.

https://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/YKS/WRY/Halifax/NorthowramCongChurch

1702. Rev. THOMAS DICKINSON, (Frankland's Academy.) He was ordained at Gorton Chapel 24th May, 1694, according to the Presbyterian forms. Mr. Dickinson was a valuable and devoted minister, thoroughly orthodox and evangelical. 1710. A New Trust Deed, between Jon. Priestley, of Wintredge, and Nath. Priestley, of Ovenden, clerk, T. Dickenson, clerk, and others, describes the chapel as a "meeting-place for religious worship for Protestant Dissenters." Mr. Dickinson married Hannah Foster, of Ossett, by whom he had twelve children, four of whom died before himself. One of his sons had been in two battles, but escaped unhurt. He was seized with fever on his passage from Carthagena, and died 1741. Mr. Dickinson died 26th December, 1743, having been minister forty-one years, æt. 74. His tombstone is still at Northowram.