The Dairyman's Daughter
Encyclopedia
The Dairyman's Daughter is an early 19th century Christian
religious booklet of 52 pages, which had a remarkably wide distribution and influence. It was a narrative of the religious experience of Elizabeth Wallbridge, who was the person after whom the book was named.
, Isle of Wight
, England
. Her parents although worthy were of the lowly ranks of the poor, and their children were put to service at an early age. The author of the narrative was Rev. Legh Richmond
, a religious writer of the period, who was the curate
of the nearby parish of Brading
.
According to the account in the book, Miss Wallbridge's life until the age of 26 was of the most worldly character. Never immoral, she was willful, proud, selfish and irreligious. Her life was, however, transformed by a sermon and she became very devout. With exceptional strength of mind, a retentive memory, the mastery of a few religious classics and enforced leisure because of illness, she devoted time and strength to the study of the Bible in which she became remarkably proficient. Miss Wallbridge, after a lingering sickness of a year and a half, died May 30, 1801, at the age of 31 years. During her illness Rev. Richmond
often visited her and talked with her, and these discussions inspired him to write the book.
Her religious experience was neither morbid nor morose but always winsome and cheerful. She met her serious difficulties with rare heroism, humility, altruism and unwavering faith in her Lord. It is this simplicity, the strength and normal character of her experience which gave it such extensive influence.
. The National Society in 1825 published it as tract No. 9, and has circulated at least half a million copies of this narrative, being the chief agency for its distribution in America. In fact, it was in America, far from Arreton
, that the popularity of this publication was greatest.
In 1828, 14 years after its first publication, its circulation exceeded four million copies in 19 languages, and the number of conversions from its perusal estimated in the thousands. Its popularity increased for several decades and it is estimated that more than ten million copies have been distributed in many languages. Some writers have ventured the claim that "The Dairyman's Daughter" has had a more extensive influence and a wider circulation than any other similar publication.
The success of the story led many to make the pilgrimage to Arreton
to visit the grave of The Dairyman's Daughter, including Queen Victoria
. Some even came from America, or further afield, and the lasting power of the story was such that the simple chair on which Miss Wallbridge sat when talking with Rev Richmond was preserved and in 1836 sent to America, where it remains in the possession of the American Tract Society
. A chapel was erected in her memory on the main road between Arreton and Apse Heath
. Now closed and converted to a residence, the foundation stone is still visible from the road.
(Parts of this account adapted from The American Tract Society
Reports 1938-46)
Ironically, the best-known memorial today to the Dairyman's Daughter in her home parish of Arreton
is a pub of the same name, just a few metres from her grave in Arreton
churchyard.
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
religious booklet of 52 pages, which had a remarkably wide distribution and influence. It was a narrative of the religious experience of Elizabeth Wallbridge, who was the person after whom the book was named.
Elizabeth Wallbridge
Elizabeth Wallbridge was born, lived and died in the Parish of ArretonArreton
Arreton is a village and civil parish in the central eastern part of the Isle of Wight, England. It is about 3 miles south east of Newport.-Name:The settlement has had different names and different spellings over the years...
, Isle of Wight
Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight is a county and the largest island of England, located in the English Channel, on average about 2–4 miles off the south coast of the county of Hampshire, separated from the mainland by a strait called the Solent...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. Her parents although worthy were of the lowly ranks of the poor, and their children were put to service at an early age. The author of the narrative was Rev. Legh Richmond
Legh Richmond
Legh Richmond , English divine, was born on the 29th of January 1772, in Liverpool. He was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge, and in 1798 was appointed to the joint curacies of St. Mary's Church, Brading and St. John the Baptist Church, Yaverland on the Isle of Wight...
, a religious writer of the period, who was the curate
Curate
A curate is a person who is invested with the care or cure of souls of a parish. In this sense "curate" correctly means a parish priest but in English-speaking countries a curate is an assistant to the parish priest...
of the nearby parish of Brading
Brading
The ancient 'Kynges Towne' of Brading is the main town of the civil parish of the same name. The ecclesiastical parish of Brading used to cover about a tenth of the Isle of Wight. The current civil parish now includes the town itself and Adgestone, Morton, Nunwell and other outlying areas between...
.
According to the account in the book, Miss Wallbridge's life until the age of 26 was of the most worldly character. Never immoral, she was willful, proud, selfish and irreligious. Her life was, however, transformed by a sermon and she became very devout. With exceptional strength of mind, a retentive memory, the mastery of a few religious classics and enforced leisure because of illness, she devoted time and strength to the study of the Bible in which she became remarkably proficient. Miss Wallbridge, after a lingering sickness of a year and a half, died May 30, 1801, at the age of 31 years. During her illness Rev. Richmond
Legh Richmond
Legh Richmond , English divine, was born on the 29th of January 1772, in Liverpool. He was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge, and in 1798 was appointed to the joint curacies of St. Mary's Church, Brading and St. John the Baptist Church, Yaverland on the Isle of Wight...
often visited her and talked with her, and these discussions inspired him to write the book.
The religious meaning of the book
Her spiritual experience, excepting its intensity, was very normal and free of excess. She said,Her religious experience was neither morbid nor morose but always winsome and cheerful. She met her serious difficulties with rare heroism, humility, altruism and unwavering faith in her Lord. It is this simplicity, the strength and normal character of her experience which gave it such extensive influence.
Publication and popularity
"The Dairyman's Daughter" was first issued in tract form in 1814 and that same year was published by the New England Tract Society in BostonBoston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
. The National Society in 1825 published it as tract No. 9, and has circulated at least half a million copies of this narrative, being the chief agency for its distribution in America. In fact, it was in America, far from Arreton
Arreton
Arreton is a village and civil parish in the central eastern part of the Isle of Wight, England. It is about 3 miles south east of Newport.-Name:The settlement has had different names and different spellings over the years...
, that the popularity of this publication was greatest.
In 1828, 14 years after its first publication, its circulation exceeded four million copies in 19 languages, and the number of conversions from its perusal estimated in the thousands. Its popularity increased for several decades and it is estimated that more than ten million copies have been distributed in many languages. Some writers have ventured the claim that "The Dairyman's Daughter" has had a more extensive influence and a wider circulation than any other similar publication.
The success of the story led many to make the pilgrimage to Arreton
Arreton
Arreton is a village and civil parish in the central eastern part of the Isle of Wight, England. It is about 3 miles south east of Newport.-Name:The settlement has had different names and different spellings over the years...
to visit the grave of The Dairyman's Daughter, including Queen Victoria
Victoria of the United Kingdom
Victoria was the monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until her death. From 1 May 1876, she used the additional title of Empress of India....
. Some even came from America, or further afield, and the lasting power of the story was such that the simple chair on which Miss Wallbridge sat when talking with Rev Richmond was preserved and in 1836 sent to America, where it remains in the possession of the American Tract Society
American Tract Society
The American Tract Society is a nonprofit, nonsectarian but evangelical organization founded on May 11, 1825 in New York City for the purpose of publishing and disseminating Christian literature. ATS traces its lineage back through the New York Tract Society and the New England Tract Society to...
. A chapel was erected in her memory on the main road between Arreton and Apse Heath
Apse Heath
Apse Heath is a hamlet on the Isle of Wight, UK. Apse Heath is centered around the intersection of Newport Road and Alverstone Road. It is northeast of Whiteley Bank and south of Winford....
. Now closed and converted to a residence, the foundation stone is still visible from the road.
(Parts of this account adapted from The American Tract Society
American Tract Society
The American Tract Society is a nonprofit, nonsectarian but evangelical organization founded on May 11, 1825 in New York City for the purpose of publishing and disseminating Christian literature. ATS traces its lineage back through the New York Tract Society and the New England Tract Society to...
Reports 1938-46)
Present-day influence
During most of the 19th century Christian writers favoured and extensively used sickness and deathbed experiences. However, and partly because of this morbid theme, the book, while extremely popular for three-quarters of a century, is not well adapted to the tastes and the requirements of the 20th century and beyond. The book is now not widely known, although the short text of it has been reprinted innumerable times in various anthologies, and publications including the text are still in print today.Ironically, the best-known memorial today to the Dairyman's Daughter in her home parish of Arreton
Arreton
Arreton is a village and civil parish in the central eastern part of the Isle of Wight, England. It is about 3 miles south east of Newport.-Name:The settlement has had different names and different spellings over the years...
is a pub of the same name, just a few metres from her grave in Arreton
Arreton
Arreton is a village and civil parish in the central eastern part of the Isle of Wight, England. It is about 3 miles south east of Newport.-Name:The settlement has had different names and different spellings over the years...
churchyard.