THE DOCUMENT

The document, which covers the period 1656-1821, consists of pages which measure approximately 23½ cm. X 35½ cm. The volume was repaired and rebound at a date now unknown. At the time of repair and rebinding some of the sections of the list of founder and later members were defective and there was some foxing of the edges of the early pages.

The handwriting in the volume varies considerably. At times it is in scholarly hands and at others in less educated hands, and there are many variations in spelling. The narrative of the formation of the Church, which precedes the minutes, is in one handwriting throughout and appears to have been written at one time. Possibly this section was copied from an earlier Church Book which is no longer in existence.

T. J. Brown, ‘English Literary Autographs xxxiii, John Bunyan 1628—88’, The Book Collector, Spring 1960, considered that some of the early entries were probably in John Bunyan’s own handwriting.

Dating of early entries

In common with early records of other Nonconformist and Quaker causes there are in the earlier minutes in this volume references to ‘First Month’, ‘Second Month’, etc. In this context ‘First Month’ is ‘April’, the second is ‘May’ and the last, or ‘Twelfth month’ is ‘March’. For this dating see the entry of 26 February 1674 with its description of‘the 11 month called February’.

Missing entries

In the 17th century during periods of persecution, and on some later occasions, no entries were made in the Church Book, e.g. entries are missing for the early part of 1661, for the later months of 1662 and for almost all 1663, for the later months of 1664 until late in 1668, for the summer and autumn months of 1670, for part of 1721, for part of 1727, for the whole of 1728 and for part of 1729, for the last months of 1732, the whole of 1733 and a greater part of 1734, and from May 1736 until September 1741.

Editorial method

Capitals have been lowered in most instances, abbreviations have been extended, and punctuation has been modernised, but the original spelling, with all its variations, has been retained.