Manton Primitive Methodist chapel

convicted for blocking the highway

“Twelve months ago, the writer was holding a service at this place, on the village green, when he was interrupted by a farmer, who rode into the congregation, endeavouring to disperse them ; but failing in his attempt, the preacher, Messrs. Samuel Reeve, and Joseph Phelps, were summoned before two clerical magistrates, and a brother of one of them charged with blocking up the highway. We were convicted and fined one shilling, with thirty five shillings costs, which, refusing to pay, we suffered a distraint on our goods for the amount. My wife’s watch was seized and kept, till redeemed by a friend. A good deal of sympathy was excited, and many advised an action at law against the parties who had violated the principles of the British constitution. However, we declined to appeal to Caesar.”

Instead they built a chapel which opened on July 1st 1860. It measured 24′ x 18′ and cost £137 of which they had raised £74. It was in the Marlborough branch.

Those speaking or present at the opening included G Warner, Rev Thomas Vinson (Wesleyan), Rev Joseph Drew (Baptist), Bro Taylor (Newbury), W Duck and Mr Drew.

The chapel stood at Manton Corner in the burial ground opened there by the Marlborough Friends in 1658. It is marked on the 1:2,500 Ordnance Survey map of 1923-4 but closed soon after.  Is there any evidence left of the building or the society?


Reference

Primitive Methodist magazine October 1860 pages 616-617

 

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