82 KINGSBRIDGE 



Rev. Thomas Peters. 

 „ J. Upton Davis, B.A. 

 „ John O'Dell, (the present Pastor). 



In 1673, the Baptists seem to have become a numerous 

 and permanent religious body, for in this year Arthur 

 Langworthy, Esq., of Hatch, bequeathed to them by deed 

 of gift, a piece of land near the village of Venn, for 

 the quiet burial of those amongst them who were removed 

 from those troublous times. This yard is still occasionally 

 used. 



A convenient Minister's house is situated at the entrance 

 of Meeting Lane; and one or two small endowments 

 also belong to the Society. 



The first Sunday School set on foot in these towns was 

 at the Baptist Chapel, in the year 1812. In the following 

 years schools were opened, and are still carried on, in 

 connection with almost each place of worship. It is im- 

 possible to suppose that several hundreds of children have 

 received religious instruction every Sunday, in the various 

 churches and chapels, for so many years, without an 

 important influence on the population. 



We are indebted to Robert Dymond, Esq., F.S.A., for 

 most of the following information respecting the "Society 

 of Friends " in Kingsbridge. 



George Fox's journal relates that he first entered this 

 county from Dorsetshire in 1655, in the company of his 

 trusty friend, Edward Pyot, of Bristol, ex-captain in the 

 army. Passing somewhat rapidly through the southern 

 parts of the shire, these companions sowed the first seeds 

 of Quakerism in the towns of Topsham, Totnes, Kingsbridge, 

 and Plymouth, and then crossed the Tamar into Cornwall. 



