Non-Conformity - August Updates IP: 124.179.73.45 Posted on 21/8/2008 at 11:52:32 AM by Ann Dinsdale
Hi Colin
What a treasure you are. I was delighted to read amongst your latest updates that there were Laverack Non-Conformists at Harlthorpe.
This can be substantiated, but first by way of background: One of the many grandsons of Thomas and Sarah Laverack- youngest son of William Laverack and Mary Bird - was Alfred Laverack. He ran away from home and became a quartermaster sergeant in the 98th Regiment of Foot. Alfred came home on a two month furlough from India which ended 21 December 18??. During this furlough Alfred was reunited with his family after a ten year absence - say it was approx 1856 (as it was shortly before his Father's death in 1857 when Alfred's regiment had still not returned to India). Alfred later recorded his visit to Leeds and his visit to Harlthorp in his book "A Methodist Soldier in the Indian Army". My dear Laverack researcher and cousin, Geraldine, purchased a copy of the above old book which records:
Quote
After I passed a week or two at home, I took a tour to visit my friends in the country. On arrival at Harlthorp, a small village near Howden, I found they had service only once on the Sabbath in the nearest chapel (Foggathorpe). This did not satisfy my soul, which was longing for fresh supplies of grace. So my Uncle spoke to the superintendent minister (Rev S Fiddian) who through a misunderstanding, announced that a soldier would preach at Mr Laverack's at Harlthorp that evening, and long before the time the large kitchen and an adjoining one were crowded. I had been filled with anxiety all day, and now when the people arrived I thought I should never be able to extricate myself from my difficult position. Of course I had to explain matters, after which I gave a short address and related my experiences as a Christian. We then held a prayer-meeting. That room had for several years been used as a preaching place, and my grandfather, who was one of the early Methodists, conducted a class there. Since then my Uncle and five cousins have been converted to God, and now the same room is used for divine service every fortnight. Unquote Page 29 "A Methodist Soldier in the Indian Army"
Alfred served his full time in the army so achieved the status of Chelsea Pensioner. Alfred married Mary Twivey at Howden Wesleyan Chapel 20 July 1866 and he devoted the rest of his life to being a Wesleyan Evangelist; he wrote several religious books, and also widely toured the countryside with a diorama. He also founded the Hyde Park Street Methodist Church in Leeds.
I hope you will find the above of interest and it confirms that although there may no longer have been a Chapel at Harlthorpe that Wesleyan meetings did continue in the warmth of the Laverack kitchen.