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The oldest child of Samuel Stennett and his wife was Master Haley Stennett who died about 1757, as I have said before. Their other son was Joseph IV. Accordingly to Whitely, Joseph IV at Warwick from 1777 to 1779, presumably as a Baptist pastor.285 In the letter from Robert Burnside to Samuel Stennett dated December 23, 1779, Burnside says he has "been enquiring after a boarding-house for Masr. Stennett."286 Burnside was writing from the university town of Aberdeen; the boy referred to is probably Joseph IV. Joseph would likely be a young man then, so I suggest he was born about 1758. (Haley was the only child of the Stennetts when he died about 1757.) Later Joseph IV became the assistant to his father at the Little Wild Street Baptist Church in London. He was received into the Baptist Board (of ministers) on February 22, 1785287 According to the London Times for June 23, 1791, "Rev J. Stennett" was married to a Mrs. Straphan."288 He was yet his father's assistant in 1794.289 About the time of his father's death, 1795, he was very sick, but recovered. About the same time, he became the pastor at Coate in Oxfordshire which had once been served by his uncle Joseph III.290 I have never read that he served the Little Wild Street Church after his father's death. In 1798, there are records that show he was the minister also at Buckland and Farington in Berkshire, just across the county line from Coate in Oxfordshire.291 These churches he served through 1810, going to the Baptist Church at Calne in 1811 and remaining there into 1824. Then he vanishes from History. As he would be about sixty-five years old then, I suggest that he died. Anyway, with him, the name Stennett disappeared as far as this branch of the family is concerned.292 Thus a great family of Dissenter ministers come to an end. Whitley credits him with two small publications: A Social Prayer (circular of the Oxford at Alchester) published in 1806 and The Truths of the gospel, their influence and practical Effects (Circular of the Western at Taunton) published in 1817.293 Samuel and his wife had a daughter, Miss. Elizabeth Stennett. It is said of her and her brother, Joseph IV, that Samuel had "inexpressible satisfaction" in them."294 Some time after her father's death and before the issuing of his Works in a three volume edition in 1824, she married Edward Phillips, Esq. of Grosvenor Terrace, Bath. (They had in their possession a letter from John Howard to Samuel Stennett.)295 |
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Chapter IV - Samuel Stennett
A. Life ....................................................................................  Personal Religion ..................................................................................... Baptism Affably Defended ...................................................................................... More Religious Freedom Achieved .......................................................................... The American Revolution ..................................................................................... The Social Aspect of Christianity ......................................................................... Seventh Day Baptists ..................................................................................... On a Parable ..................................................................................... Hymns .............................................................................................. John Howard .................................................................................... Use of Bible ...................................................................................... Defense of Dissenters ......................................................................................... B. Family ................................................................................................. C. Thought ................................................................................................ Contents ......................................................................................
Interactive Index ................................................................................. |