The beginning of Methodism in Ashbourne 

The preacher, Thomas Hanby was 21 years old, a native of Barnard Castle, Co. Durham, who 
had very recently received God's call to preach the Gospel, while staying in Leeds. 

He writes: 
"In 1754 Brother Mitchell desired me to come and help them in the Staffordshire 
Circuit for a few months. I made an excursion into the wilds of Derbyshire, preached at 
Wootton, near Weaver Hill, the Ford, Snelson, and Ashboume, where there had been no such 
a being as a Methodist preacher. I had often found a great desire to preach in that town, 
but was at a loss how to introduce myself. However, I providentially heard of a serious man, 
Mr Thomas Thompson, who kept the toll-gate about half a mile from the town. I took Thomas 
White with me, from Barton Forge. We came to Mr Thompson's, and introduced ourselves in 
the best manner we could. He informed a few of his neighbours that there was a preacher 
at his house. Accordingly Mr Hurd's family, Mr Peach's and a few others came in the evening; 
I suppose as many as they durst invite. 

I talked to them, and expounded a part of the eighth chapter of the Romans. I found much 
liberty in my own soul, and the power of God rested upon the people, who were deeply 
affected. I stayed a few days, preaching morning and evening to as many as the house would 
hold. Miss Beresford condescended to assemble with us, and the Lord opened her heart, as 
the heart of Lydia. When I had been preaching Christ as a fountain opened for sin and 
uncleanness, she cried out 'O precious gospel! O precious gospel' From that time she 
continued steadfast growing in grace, till the Lord took her in glorious triumph to Himself.
 
I left Ashbourne for about a fortnight, to visit my new friends in Snelson etc. -- and 
returned again. I now found I must preach no more at the toll-gate house: the commissioners 
of the road had forbidden my friend, Mr Thompson to admit me. But Mr Hurd, a gentleman 
farmer, by the desire of his family, whose hearts God had touched, suffered me to preach 
at his house. It was now that a furious mob arose while I was preaching, and beset the 
house, and sprang in among us like so many lions. I soon perceived that I was the object 
of their rage. My mind was variously agitated, yet I durst not but cry aloud as long as 
I could be heard; but at last I was overpowered with noise. Some of my friends, in 
defending me, were bleeding among the mob, and with difficulty I escaped out of their 
hands. But as Mr Thompson, Mr lsaac Peach, Mr Hurd's family, Miss Beresford and a few 
others remained steady, I was constrained to repeat my visits, till the Lord gave us 
peace. Mr Thompson grew in the knowledge and love of God, till the Lord took him to Himself.

The Methodist Society (ie. the present Ashbourne Church) was formed on Tuesday, 8th April, 
1755 when John Wesley visited Ashbourne for the first time. He was on his way from 
Barton-under-Needwood to Hayfield, and arrived in Ashbourne at 7. 00am. He tells us in his 
Journal, 'I preached to a deeply serious congregation. Seventeen or eighteen then desired 
to join in a society to whom I spoke severally. I was well pleased to find that near half 
of them knew the pardoning love of God. One of the first I spoke to was Miss Judith 
Beresford -a sweet but short-lived flower.'

We could perhaps return to Miss Judith Beresford in a later issue.

Trevor Staniforth