Methodism in Allendale

Hexham Courant Friday, May 5th 2000

"Methodism in the Dales
Allendale once played a significant role in the history of Methodism.
John Wesley came north to preach in the 1740's and encouraged local preachers, still crucial in Methodism, to spread the message.
Ryton's Christopher Hopper preached at Allendale, then home to a number of Quakers. After converting a cock-fighting enthusiast, Jacob Rowell, he established early Methodist societies at Hindley Hill and West Allen. Keenley chapel was built in 1750, rebuilt in 1875 and is still in use today.
Limestone Brae chapel was erected in1825 and the chapel at Allenheads, orininally built in 1834,was rebuilt in 1900.
Allendale, then a booming lead-mining centre, was initially part of the giant 'Dales Circuit, stretching from Swaledale to Tynedale and Darlington to Penrith.
As Primitive Methodism spread as a radical reaction against the establishment Wesleyan variety, a new generation of Primitive chapels were built. These came under the massive Hull circuit, then the Westgate and Alston branch".

George Fox and the Religious Society of Friends

George Fox (1624-1691) was a non-conformist religious reformer. At the age of 19 he left home on a four year search, seeking answers to questions which had troubled him since childhood. He sought guidance from a variety of the country's spiritual leaders. He gradually became disillusioned with those leaders and with existing Christian denominations. At the age of 23, he heard a voice saying "there is one, even Christ Jesus, who can speak to thy condition." He felt a direct call to God to become an itinerant preacher and promote the concept of the Inward Light, or Inner Voice.
Fox was greatly persecuted during his lifetime and imprisoned many times. Once when he was hauled into Court he suggested that the judge "tremble at the word of the Lord". The judge sarcastically referred to Fox as a Quaker, the term stuck and has become the popular name for the Religious Society of Friends. During the second half of the 17th Century, over 3000 Quakers spent time in English jails for their religious beliefs; many hundreds died there.

Suffering of early Friends

The suffering of early Friends was recorded in 1660:

"Thomas Spark, Thomas Williamson Jnr, Hugh Hutchinson, Francis Sheild Snr, Hugh Sheild, John Brown, Francis Sheild Jnr, Richard Sheele, Thomas Rowell, Hugh Rodham, Anthony Watson, Robert Watson, Sam Farlan, Cuthbert Rodham, Thomas Whitfield, Thomas Williamson Snr, Thomas Kenleside, Hugh White, Cuthbert Featherstone, John Sheild Jnr, William Lee, yeoman and John Sheild Snr, a fuller of Allendale in Northumberland were taken by William Errington, papist judge and other papists and by them carried to Hexham and put in a Stinking Dungeon, and by the Gaoler kept there several days, who would scarce suffer anything to come to them but walled up the windows where several of them were kept several weeks and then carried off to Morpeth Gaol and there continued as prisoners till the King's proclamation. They were taken at a meeting at the New Shele being there met together to Worship God and committed to Gaol for no other cause. All were cleared at Quarter Sessions."

George Fox visited Allendale as early as 1663, where there were great meetings.

Society of Friends

Limestone Brae

In 1688 the Quaerterly Meeting of the Society of Friends advised that a meeting house should be built at Wooley Burnfoot and another in some convenient place in West Allendale. Accordingly in 1690 Ralph Featherstone surrendered a piece of ground at Limestone Brae for a meeting house and graveyard, and in 1691 the meeting house was recorded at the General Quarter Sessions. In 1718 the Quaker Hugh Watson of Studden in East Allen was made a trustee of the Meeting House at Limestone Brae. In 1694 Cuthbert Featherstone of Taylor-bourn and Thomas Williamson of Hesleywell were, with other Quakers, committed to prison for non-payment of Tithes.

Allendale Quakers

"Walks Around Allendale: Wooley"

Local History on this Walk

"The Quakers suffered increased persecution after the restoration of the Monarchy in 1660. In a record from that year, several men 'all of Allendaile' were 'carried to Hexham, and put in a Stinking Dungeon, and by the Gaoler kept several dayes, who would scarce suffere anything to come to them but walled up the window where severall of them were kept severel weeks.'

NB: 3 different spelling for 'several'.

There was a Keenlyside among these men. The family seem to have become Quakers at the time of the visit of George Fox to Allendale in 1653.

Keenleywell House

Interesting video on YouTube "Ruins of Keenleywell House".

There would appear to be a headstone mentioned in the video but unfortunately no mention of the inscription.

Book recommendation

Walking the Northumberland Dales: Hadrian's Wall Country by Jennifer Norderhaug and Barbara Thompson, Sigma Leisure 2009

"Walk 1
Route: Keenley Well, Keenley Fell, Keenleyside Hill, Monk Wood, Ashey Bank, Burnlaw, Keenley Well.
Distance: 5 miles, 8km.
High Point: 378m
Ascent: 230m
Terrain: fields, woods and lanes.
Refreshments: The Elk's Head, west of Keenleywell House, where the road joins the A686 Alston to Hexham road.
Map: OS Explorer OL43"

Keenlyside country indeed!