Swanland

SWANLAND:
Swanland Congregational Church History up to 1868.

Nothing is known of the origin of this congregation, which is one of the oldest Independent societies in the county. It dates from the close of the seventeenth century.

The following have been the pastors :-

• Rev. EMANUEL DEWSNAP. He was here in 1702, but we have no further information respecting him.
• 1703. Rev. -- BROOK was ordained here in 1704.
• Rev. -- GARDNER. Mr. G. removed to Chester in 1713.
• Rev. JOSHUA HARDCASTLE. In his time, about 1715, the congregation is reported as consisting of 450, of whom twenty had votes for the county.
• Rev. JOSHUA HOYLE. He died Oct., 1738, and is interred at Swanland.
• 1740. Rev. JOHN ANGIER, from Cleckheaton. He was pastor of the church about forty years. He died here and was buried at Ferriby.
• 1770. Rev. SAMUEL BOTTOMLEY (of Hecmondwike Acy.). He was minister during the space of three years. He removed to Scarborough 1773. A division took place during his stay, and the separatists erected a new chapel.
• 1775. Rev. GEORGE GILL (Heckmondwike Acy.), from Market Harborough. He remained about six years and a half.
• 1783. Rev. RICHARD LEGGETT. Left for Lincolnshire 1785.
• 1786. Rev. DAVID WILLIAMS, from Skipton. He resigned his charge after forty years' ministry, and died in 1827. In his time the seceders returned, or rather they united with the remaining congregation in building a new chapel on the site of the old one. This was done in consequence of a sum of money having been left to the old chapel for repairs which were found impracticable.
• 1826. Rev. JOHN HAYDEN (Homerton Coll.). Mr. H. removed to High Wycombe, 1834.
• 1835. Rev. JOHN EVISON, from Limerick. Mr. E. died in 1844.
• 1844. Rev. JOHN BRAMALL, from Stainland. He left for London in 1850.
• 1851. Rey. ROBERT THOMSON, M.A. (Blackburn Acy.). He resigned 1853.
• 1854. Rev. JAMES WISHART, M.A. (St. Andrew's). Relinquished his charge 1865. Now at Liverpool.
• 1866. Rev. E. NEWSUM (Rotherham). Resigned through failing health, 1866.
• 1867. Rev. GEORGE SNASHALL, B.A. (Airedale), from Rochdale, the present minister (in 1868).

There is an endowment of landed property.