Epworth
Encyclopedia
Epworth is a small town and civil parish in the Isle of Axholme
, North Lincolnshire
, England. As the birthplace of John Wesley
and Charles Wesley
, it has given its name to many institutions associated with Methodism
. Their father, Samuel Wesley, was the rector
from 1695 to 1735.
and Gainsborough
. The Axholme Joint Railway served Epworth; it is now closed.
Epworth, is located in the Isle of Axholme
. The Isle is so called because, until it was drained
by the Dutch engineer Sir Cornelius Vermuyden (1627–1629), it was an inland island surrounded by rivers. A grant of the commons to the freeholder
s and other tenants, made by deed
in 1360 by John de Mowbray
, Lord of the Manor
, gave privileges and freedoms. The deed caused repercussions in the reign of King Charles I
when Vermuyden was given the task of draining the Isle. His work was an outstanding piece of irrigation
engineering.
There has been extensive drainage since, which, together with periodic "warping" (intentional flooding to deposit silt and enrich the land), has made this an exceptionally fertile area.
The Isle of Axholme was originally the eight parishes of Althorpe
, Belton
, Crowle
, Epworth, Haxey
, Luddington
, Owston
and Wroot
.
,_epworth.jpg)
The Old Rectory, a Queen Anne style building, rebuilt after the fire of 1709, has been completely restored and is now the property of the World Methodist Council. It is maintained as a museum. It is also the site of supposed paranormal events
that occurred there in 1716, while the Wesley family was living in the house.
Epworth's parish church is dedicated to Saint Andrew
, located on a hill overlooking the town. Its architecture suggests that its oldest part may have been built in the late 12th century with later additions in the 14th and 15th centuries. It is probable that a church stood on the site earlier than that.
An example of the Dutch influence on local architecture can be seen in the building now used as the Post Office, situated in the High Street.
has been part of Epworth's Calendar for over 60 years. The Show takes place on August Bank Holiday Monday, but the Show Committee organise Four Saddle Club events between May and September as well as a Beer Festival over the August Bank Holiday weekend.
Isle of Axholme
The Isle of Axholme is part of North Lincolnshire, England. It is the only part of Lincolnshire west of the River Trent. It is between the three towns of Doncaster, Scunthorpe and Gainsborough.- Description:...
, North Lincolnshire
North Lincolnshire
North Lincolnshire is a unitary authority area in the region of Yorkshire and the Humber in England. For ceremonial purposes it is part of Lincolnshire....
, England. As the birthplace of John Wesley
John Wesley
John Wesley was a Church of England cleric and Christian theologian. Wesley is largely credited, along with his brother Charles Wesley, as founding the Methodist movement which began when he took to open-air preaching in a similar manner to George Whitefield...
and Charles Wesley
Charles Wesley
Charles Wesley was an English leader of the Methodist movement, son of Anglican clergyman and poet Samuel Wesley, the younger brother of Anglican clergyman John Wesley and Anglican clergyman Samuel Wesley , and father of musician Samuel Wesley, and grandfather of musician Samuel Sebastian Wesley...
, it has given its name to many institutions associated with Methodism
Methodism
Methodism is a movement of Protestant Christianity represented by a number of denominations and organizations, claiming a total of approximately seventy million adherents worldwide. The movement traces its roots to John Wesley's evangelistic revival movement within Anglicanism. His younger brother...
. Their father, Samuel Wesley, was the rector
Rector
The word rector has a number of different meanings; it is widely used to refer to an academic, religious or political administrator...
from 1695 to 1735.
Description
Epworth lies on the A161, about halfway between GooleGoole
Goole is a town, civil parish and port located approximately inland on the confluence of the rivers Don and Ouse in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England...
and Gainsborough
Gainsborough, Lincolnshire
Gainsborough is a town 15 miles north-west of Lincoln on the River Trent within the West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire, England. At one time it served as an important port with trade downstream to Hull, and was the most inland in England, being more than 55 miles from the North...
. The Axholme Joint Railway served Epworth; it is now closed.
Epworth, is located in the Isle of Axholme
Isle of Axholme
The Isle of Axholme is part of North Lincolnshire, England. It is the only part of Lincolnshire west of the River Trent. It is between the three towns of Doncaster, Scunthorpe and Gainsborough.- Description:...
. The Isle is so called because, until it was drained
Drainage
Drainage is the natural or artificial removal of surface and sub-surface water from an area. Many agricultural soils need drainage to improve production or to manage water supplies.-Early history:...
by the Dutch engineer Sir Cornelius Vermuyden (1627–1629), it was an inland island surrounded by rivers. A grant of the commons to the freeholder
Freeholder
A freeholder can refer to:* one who is in freehold* one who holds title to real property in Fee simple* an official of county government in the U.S. state of New Jersey...
s and other tenants, made by deed
Deed
A deed is any legal instrument in writing which passes, or affirms or confirms something which passes, an interest, right, or property and that is signed, attested, delivered, and in some jurisdictions sealed...
in 1360 by John de Mowbray
John de Mowbray, 3rd Baron Mowbray
John de Mowbray, 3rd Baron Mowbray was the son of John de Mowbray, 2nd Baron Mowbray. He was born on 29 Nov 1310 at Hovingham, Yorks...
, Lord of the Manor
Lord of the Manor
The Lordship of a Manor is recognised today in England and Wales as a form of property and one of three elements of a manor that may exist separately or be combined and may be held in moieties...
, gave privileges and freedoms. The deed caused repercussions in the reign of King Charles I
Charles I of England
Charles I was King of England, King of Scotland, and King of Ireland from 27 March 1625 until his execution in 1649. Charles engaged in a struggle for power with the Parliament of England, attempting to obtain royal revenue whilst Parliament sought to curb his Royal prerogative which Charles...
when Vermuyden was given the task of draining the Isle. His work was an outstanding piece of irrigation
Irrigation
Irrigation may be defined as the science of artificial application of water to the land or soil. It is used to assist in the growing of agricultural crops, maintenance of landscapes, and revegetation of disturbed soils in dry areas and during periods of inadequate rainfall...
engineering.
There has been extensive drainage since, which, together with periodic "warping" (intentional flooding to deposit silt and enrich the land), has made this an exceptionally fertile area.
The Isle of Axholme was originally the eight parishes of Althorpe
Althorpe
Althorpe is a small village lying on the A18 four miles west of Scunthorpe, in North Lincolnshire, England. To the west of Althorpe is the town of Crowle.-Geography:...
, Belton
Belton, North Lincolnshire
Belton is a village and civil parish in the Isle of Axholme area of North Lincolnshire, England, that lies on the A161 road six miles east from Scunthorpe. To the north of Belton is the town of Crowle; to the south, the village of Epworth....
, Crowle
Crowle, North Lincolnshire
Crowle is a small town and civil parish on the Isle of Axholme in North Lincolnshire, England. It lies on the Stainforth and Keadby Canal and has a railway station...
, Epworth, Haxey
Haxey
Haxey is a village and civil parish within North Lincolnshire, England. It is situated to the northwest of the city of Lincoln and in 2001 had a total resident population of 4,359....
, Luddington
Luddington, North Lincolnshire
Luddington is a village, part of the civil parish of Luddington with Haldenby, on the Isle of Axholme in North Lincolnshire, England. The nearest towns are Scunthorpe, Goole and Doncaster.-Early history:...
, Owston
Owston Ferry
Owston Ferry is a village and civil parish in North Lincolnshire, England. It lies on the west bank of the River Trent, north of Gainsborough, and has a total resident population of 1,128....
and Wroot
Wroot
Wroot is a linear village and civil parish in the north of the English county of Lincolnshire.Wroot is located south of the River Torne on the Isle of Axholme very close to the boundary with South Yorkshire. Administratively it forms part of North Lincolnshire. The name is derived from wrot, Old...
.
Historical buildings
Epworth Rectory haunting
The Epworth Rectory haunting is one of the best-known English poltergeist events, and has been described as "the second-best-authenticated ghost story in history". Epworth Rectory, in Epworth, Lincolnshire, was home to the Reverend Samuel Wesley and his wife and their 19 children, one of whom,...
that occurred there in 1716, while the Wesley family was living in the house.
Epworth's parish church is dedicated to Saint Andrew
Saint Andrew
Saint Andrew , called in the Orthodox tradition Prōtoklētos, or the First-called, is a Christian Apostle and the brother of Saint Peter. The name "Andrew" , like other Greek names, appears to have been common among the Jews from the 3rd or 2nd century BC. No Hebrew or Aramaic name is recorded for him...
, located on a hill overlooking the town. Its architecture suggests that its oldest part may have been built in the late 12th century with later additions in the 14th and 15th centuries. It is probable that a church stood on the site earlier than that.
An example of the Dutch influence on local architecture can be seen in the building now used as the Post Office, situated in the High Street.
Epworth Show
The Epworth ShowEpworth Show
The Epworth Show is an agricultural show in Epworth, Lincolnshire, England.It was started before the Second World War on "Battle Green". At the time is was a small event catering only for the local area. Over the years the show has grown and changed with the nature of what the local people wanted...
has been part of Epworth's Calendar for over 60 years. The Show takes place on August Bank Holiday Monday, but the Show Committee organise Four Saddle Club events between May and September as well as a Beer Festival over the August Bank Holiday weekend.
Festival of the plough
Epworth has hosted the Epworth Festival of the Plough agricultural fare in recent years.Notable residents
Beside John and Charles Wesley, other notable people associated with Epworth are:- Ian BothamIan BothamSir Ian Terence Botham OBE is a former England Test cricketer and Test team captain, and current cricket commentator. He was a genuine all-rounder with 14 centuries and 383 wickets in Test cricket, and remains well-known by his nickname "Beefy"...
, cricketer, ex resident - Lesley GarrettLesley GarrettLesley Garrett CBE is an English musician, broadcaster and media personality.- Early life :Garrett was born in the town of Thorne near Doncaster in South Yorkshire, into a musical family. She attended Thorne Grammar School, where she performed in school plays and musicals. As she grew up she...
, opera singer, lives in Epworth - Benjamin HuntsmanBenjamin HuntsmanBenjamin Huntsman was an English inventor and manufacturer of cast or crucible steel.-Biography:Huntsman was born the third son of a Quaker farmer in Epworth, Lincolnshire. His parents were Germans who had emigrated only a few years before his birth.Huntsman started business as a clock, lock and...
, inventor and manufacturer, born Epworth 1704 - Sheridan SmithSheridan SmithSheridan Smith is an English actress and singer who is best known for her contributions to the British sitcoms Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, Gavin & Stacey and Benidorm. She has also become a recognised face in West End theatre, where she has appeared in Little Shop of Horrors,...
, actress, born Epworth in 1981