William Bagshaw facts for kids

William Bagshaw (1628–1702) was an English minister who belonged to a group called Presbyterians. He was also known as a Nonconformist, meaning he didn't follow the rules of the main Church of England at the time. People called him the "Apostle of the Peak" because of his important work in the Peak District.

William Bagshaw's Life Story

Early Years and Education

William Bagshaw was born in Litton, Derbyshire, on January 17, 1628. His family was from a nearby place called Hucklow. His brother, Adam Bagshaw, had a grand house built called Wormhill Hall, which is still owned by the Bagshawe family today.

William went to country schools when he was young. There, he met some important religious leaders called Puritans. In 1646, he went to Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, to continue his studies.

Becoming a Minister

William preached his very first sermon in the chapel at Wormhill, which was in his home area. Later, he moved to Attercliffe, in Yorkshire. He worked there as an assistant minister and also as a chaplain for Colonel John Bright's family.

In 1651, he officially became a Presbyterian minister in Chesterfield. On June 11, 1651, he married Agnes Barker.

In 1652, William became the Vicar of Glossop. He worked there for over ten years. However, things changed in 1662 when a new law, the Act of Uniformity, was passed. This law made many ministers, including William, leave their churches because they couldn't agree to all the new rules.

Working in the Peak District

After leaving his church, William moved to Ford Hall near Chinley. He lived like a country gentleman and still went to his local church. But he also continued to preach and held services in his own home on Thursday evenings.

In 1672, a special permission called the Declaration of Indulgence allowed him to preach more openly. He started preaching regularly in his old parish and all around the Peak District. This area, with towns like Buxton, Tideswell, and Hucklow, was very familiar to him. Because of his dedication to preaching in this region, he became known as the "Apostle of the Peak."

He gave lectures and sermons in many places, including Ashford, Malcoff, Middleton, Bradwell, Chelmorton, and Hucklow. Even when the special permission was taken away, he kept preaching in secret.

William Bagshaw continued to preach actively during the reign of James II and at the beginning of William and Mary's rule. He passed away on April 1, 1702, and was buried next to his wife, Agnes, in Chapel-en-le-Frith. A memorial there lists their children, John (born 1654) and Samuel (born 1656).

Most of what we know about William Bagshaw comes from a book called Life and Funeral Sermon, published by John Ashe in 1704.

William Bagshaw's Writings

William Bagshaw wrote many manuscripts, but sadly, most of them did not survive. The books he did publish were usually short. Here are some of their titles:

• Waters for a Thirsty Soul (1653) – a collection of sermons.
• Of Christ's Purchase – included his personal beliefs.
• Rules for our Behaviour every Day – about daily conduct and how to observe the Sabbath.
• The Ready Way to prevent Sin – advice on avoiding wrongdoing.
• The Miner's Monitor – likely for miners in the Peak District.
• Brief Directions for the Improvement of Infant Baptism – about the practice of baptizing babies.
• De Spiritualibus Pecci (1702) – a book about religious work and people in the High Peak of Derbyshire.