Ben and Catherine's oldest daughter, Catherine, wrote:
[Ben's] parents were honest God-fearing people whose worship was manifested in the Congregational Church of which they were members.
After moving to Beccles, Ben attended the Independent Chapel on Hungate Lane. That's probably where he met his future wife, Catherine Berry Knights. They were married in the Independent Chapel on 3 February 1863 by Reverend John Flower.
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| Independent Chapel |
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| The Independent Chapel was a short walk from the Brown's residence. |
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| The former Independent Chapel is now called the Hungate Church. |
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| Hungate Lane today. |
To understand what the Brown family's religious life was like, we first have to learn about their most influential religious leader, Reverend John Flower. A biographical sketch of the highly esteemed reverend was included in an 1881 issue of the Evangelical Magazine and Missionary Chronicle (here). It reads in part:
"He . . . settled at Beccles, in Suffolk, where he first preached in September, 1833. There, in the comparative seclusion of a quiet country town, he spent the strength of his life, declining all invitations to remove until this step was prompted by indications of growing infirmity.
". . . During the first fifteen years of his life at Beccles, Mr. Flower preached three times every Sunday to the same congregation, and so successful was his ministry that the chapel. which had been rebuilt in 1812, was much improved and enlarged to accommodate the growing numbers who came to hear him, and, what was a far greater joy to him, 'many were added to the Church.' . . . . In his exalted duties as an ambassador for Christ he had the persuasive power that comes of fervent goodness and devotion. He preached the Gospel 'not be constraint, but willingly,' and with a deep and tender sympathy. His cast of thought and speech was decidedly Evangelical, while at the same time his mind was singularly open to new aspects of the old truths. The one theme of his ministry, illustrated with surprising freshness to the very last, was Christ and him crucified. Loyalty to Christ was the one test that he brought to bear on all fresh forms of doctrine and activity that claimed to be called Christian. . . . His name was well known for many years in various parts of England. . .
". . . . His Christian faith was...calm and rational, free from everything morbid and from conspicuous defect or excess. It was delightful to him, especially of late, to read and think on the mediatorial glory of the Saviour, whose kingdom he loved with an ardour and breadth of sympathy that overran all the lines of human organizations.
". . . . Dr. Stoughton, a friend of fifty years' standing, writes: 'As exemplary in all the domestic relationships of life as he was efficient and useful in his pulpit and pastoral ministrations, no one ever deserved more richly to be described as A GOOD MINISTER OF JESUS CHRIST.'"
From 1833, 9 years before wife Catherine was born, John Flower taught and testified of Jesus Christ. He probably christened Catherine as well as all of her children. I can imagine him holding her hand and praying over her after the death of her infant daughter, Minnie. He was good. He was kind. He was loving. His mission and his ministry were to exemplify love in its purest form. From his description, he was, indeed, the personification of love itself. Who wouldn't want a spiritual adviser exactly like John Flower?
In October of 1873 Reverend Flower retired from the ministry. It was reported in the East Suffolk Gazette on 14 Oct 1873 that "The Rev. John Flower is so widely known, and so
universally respected among those who do know him, that it needs no words of
ours to enhance his reputation or add to his good fame. For forty years past he has labored in
Beccles in the cause of his Divine Master, winning many hearts to Christ, and
gaining by the fearlessness of his devotion to duty the respect and admiration,
not only of those who agreed with his opinions and convictions, but also of
those who conscientiously differed from him."
Those who had assisted Reverend Flower in his ministry in Beccles continued on until, in 1875, Mr. J.H. Robinson accepted a call to the pastorate. He resigned the following year.
In 1876 the Reverend Jonathan Calvert accepted the call to preside over the flock at Beccles' Independent Chapel. At 30 years old he was fairly new to the ministry, having just a handful of years of experience behind him. The history books (here, p. 204) described him this way:
"Under his energetic and inspiring ministry the church at Beccles enjoyed a season of great prosperity. His ministry appealed largely to young people. many of whom joined the church. Within three years the old chapel. which had been twice enlarged during the forty years' ministry of the Rev. John Flower, was renovated and re-pewed, a new organ provided, and a commodious school and class-rooms built at a cost of £2,400, the whole of which was raised within five years. The progress of the church thus indicated was, by the blessing of God, maintained through succeeding years, there being a constant increase to its membership, and to its spiritual work and influence."
What a drastic change it would have been for the loyal congregation to process. If I had to compare, I would think it would be comparable to the progressive protestant clergy incorporating live rock music and multi-media presentations within their Sunday services beginning in the late 20th century.
According to the local newspaper, the church rennovation was quite newsworthy, and Reverend Calvert was dependent on multiple fund raisers and donations in order to finance all of his improvements. Transcripts from the East Suffolk Gazzette (here) report the following:
23 January 1877 - CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH: Recognition Service of Rev J Calvert
5 February 1878 - INDEPENDENT CHAPEL: Better School accommodation & Clasrooms required. Rev J Calvert launched appeal £1000 subscription promised.
8 April 1879 - CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH: Foundation Stone of New Sunday School & Classrooms to be laid by JJ Colman, Esq., MP followed by Public Meeting.
30 September 1879 - CONGREGATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL BUILDINGS.. The Minister Rev. J Calvert spoke (had been there 3 years) & the former Minister Rev. J Flower.: "When he came to the town in 1833 there was very little provision for education with the Church of England there was a small girls' school in the Feoffiment Chamber, but that was not superintended by any person of great capability, though it had the great advantage of being nurtured by one of the ladies in this town.
In connection with nonconformity there was only a school of about twelve girls, who were accustomed to meet in the adjoining vestry. They were taught by Martha Gooch, who had been the domestic servant of his predecessor, Mr. Sloper. She was a woman of good understanding and good common sense and fervent piety; and her great desire was to teach these young people their duty to God and man. And she was successful in training up many who were useful in this town as domestic servants. But of course she could not teach what she did not know; and considering it was high time they had something better he asked the then Portreeve to convene a meeting, and he laid before that meeting what he thought ought to be done. He carried the meeting with him so far that they agreed there should be one large school for the instruction of the poor on weekdays; but the difficulties sprang up and this was not carried out.
But calling the meeting had this effect, that their church friends looked favourably on what they did, and some of them continued to subscribe so long as they had British Schools. The result was they had four large schools, National and British - two for boys, two for girls which were great helps to the Sunday Schools.
Amongst others who visited their schools in the capacity of Her Majesty's Inspector was Matthew Arnold "sweetness and light" - (laughter). In dealing with nonconformity, however, he showed very little sweetness - about as much as there was in a crab apple; and as to light, that slender ray of light, which came down from heaven and lighted up Martha Gooch's soul he deemed far better than all his glow-worm philosophy. Sunday schools were in existence before he came here, and the children were taught in the chapel and in the vestry.... He heartily congratulated them on possessing such a handsome and commodious school room, with classrooms, which he believed were of more importance than any of them yet realised.
9 December 1879 - CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH: Builders & Contractors: Alterations & Additions:, Drawings by the Architect Boardman to be seen in Vestry.
13 January 1880 - CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH: The first phase of building a new school and classrooms completed at cost of £1100 including the site. Next phase to improve interior of church; Tender from Messrs Calver of Ringfield accepted.; new staircases, new gallery front, new pulpit, new side windows, and an apse behind the pulpit intended to receive an organ, which will be purchased and a warming apparatus. All the woodwork will be of pitch-pine. The church will probably be lighter from the roof. The cost will be £1,000.
20 Jan 1880 - CONGREGATIONAL CONCERT by the chapel choir in aid of the Chapel improvements. Mr & Mrs Corbyn played major part. Pieces by Handel, Mendelssohn and "The last Rose of Summer" etc.
10 August 1880 - CONGREGATIONAL BAZZAR in Mr Crisp's garden. Mr Bezant of Leamington displayed a telephones. They were connected by two wires 50 yards in length, the telephones placed in an outhouse at one end and a summer house at the other. Visitors would apply a disc to the ear and another to the mouth, and a conversation would then ensue along the wires, quite audible and distinct.
7 September 1880 - CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH REOPENING: Church rebuilt early in 19C had cost £2140 18s 4d - about as much as had now been spent on the new schoolroom and the improved sanctuary.
The alterations to the church; many on the side pews on the ground floor were formerly of the old fashioned square form, and thus valuable space was lost, while other seats in the area and galleries were exceedingly narrow. The whole interior has now been refurnished with comfortable open benches, cushioned with crimson mats.
The galleries, which were inconveniently deep and unsightly, have been reconstructed. The gallery front has a solid and handsome appearance, and is ornamented with arched panels, backed with V-jointed boards. One marked improvement is the removal of the disused upper gallery, which gives a greater sense of space and air at the end of the church. The pillars supporting the galleries have also been replaced by new ones of a larger and more ornamental description.
The old square-shaped windows at the side and front of the church, have been replaced with new ones, gracefully arched at the top, and fitted with "More's patent ventilators". By raising the windows in the front, the appearance of the building towards the street, as well as in the interior, has been greatly improved.
Vestibules, paved with Monton tiles, have been constructed at each front entrance, opening into the area, with doors panelled with plate glass. New commodious staircases to the galleries have also been erected. The aisles are laid with linoleum, and bordered with Minton tiles.
Perhaps the most noticeable improvement in the interior is seen at the end opposite the entrance, where an apse has been built for a new organ, and for the accommodation of the choir. In front of the apse, a spacious and very elegant pulpit - the first design of which was suggested by the pastor - has been erected on a platform. the pulpit, which is approached by a staircase on either side, is made of selected pitch pine wrought into richly moulded panels, relieved with polished walnut pilasters; the top is finished with a mahogany moulding, and book board. The platform below the pulpit is furnished with highly polished oak table and chair.
A large sun-burner has been placed near the centre of the ceiling, which effectively lights the galleries and area, and which it is hoped will prove effective in ventilation.
In addition the exterior wood and iron work, and also the vestries, have been newly painted; all interior work necessary for a heating apparatus has also been completed. The whole of the work has been done by Messrs Calver, of Ringsfield, under the direction of E Boardman, Esq architect, of Norwich.
The total cost, including organ and extras, will be about £1,150.
So what does all this have to do with Benjamin Brown? Apparently Ben just wasn't on board with the new reverend's teachings and priorities. To him, I would surmise, church was to be focused on Christ and nothing else. Perhaps, also, he saw within the Reverend Calvert an ulterior motive for all of his progressive methods and improvements (which will be discussed shortly). Whatever the exact reason, Ben's mind was open and ready to explore the possibilities of new religious ideas and doctrine. So remembering his predecessor and mentor, James Brewer, and his conversion to Mormonism, is it any wonder why Ben was primed and ready to listen to what the Mormon missionaries had to teach him?
Ben's oldest daughter, Catherine, wrote:
"In the year of 1880*, an Elder of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who was assigned to the Norwich Conference visited Father. His talk awakened an interest in Father's mind concerning the LDS Church's beliefs and doctrines; this was due in a measure to his predecessor having heeded the call of the good shepherd.
"Brother Joseph Elders' visit was a pleasant one as he found a warm welcome. Other Elders visited Father and expounded to him the plan of salvation. Many meetings were held in our home; the spirit of God was poured out in abundance. Father was soon converted as his mind was receptive to this doctrine. Prior to being baptized, June 4, 1879, he received a testimony of the truth; a knowledge of the divinity of the gospel was given him of God.
*The correct year was 1879."Mother also received a testimony of the truth of the gospel, after which her whole soul clung to her husband and the glorious gospel which he had espoused."
This was corroborated in a reports and correspondence published in the Millennial Star:
MINUTES OF NORWICH CONFERENCE,
HELD IN THE SAINTS' HALL, WYMONDHAM, NORFOLK,
ON SUNDAY, AUG. 3RD, 1879
. . . . Elder Jos. B. Elder gave a brief report of his
labors in Norwich, Harleston, Beccles, Yarmouth, Lowestoft, and other places,
saying that many had received him kindly, and heard patiently concerning the
message the elders have to deliver….In connection with his brethren, he had
been the means of raising up a good branch in Beccles, where the voice of an
elder had not been heard for many years.
Wymondham, August 5th, 1879
Dear Brother Nicholson,
I arrived here on Saturday, where I found President
Howells and Elders Reece and Elder, all in good health and spirits. We held our conference here, as the brethren
were unable to obtain a room either in Beccles or Norwich. The storm of Saturday night prevented many
from attending our meetings from a distance, as the roads were bad and waters
high. Yet we had a very good time,
holding three meetings in-doors and one in the street. At the latter we had quite a number of
strangers, some of whom attended with us in the room. The Saints in this place were very kind and
rejoiced in the worship of God.
Yesterday (Monday) I went with President Howells
and Brother Elder to Beccles, where we were warmly welcomed by the Saints, some
of whom were the friends of days long past.
We were accompanied by the brethren and sisters to the “Common,” near
the town, where I had the pleasure of addressing a goodly number of the
citizens, brought together by a notice delivered in the streets of the town by
the bellman. I was listened to with much
attention. After the close of meeting an
effort was made to create a disturbance, by an ill-mannered Christian (?), but
without effect, as our hearers did not sustain him. We afterwards adjourned to the house of Elder
Brown, the President of the Beccles Branch, where we received instruction,
rejoicing in the Spirit and work of the Lord.
Your Brother in the Gospel,
Wm. Budge
So, from what we know now, the missionaries had not been in Beccles for a while, but when Elder Joseph Elder showed up and started proselyting Ben soon became his "golden contact". And as any good Mormon convert knows, you can't be Mormon alone. Ben began inviting his friends and neighbors to listen to the missionaries' message.
It was one thing for Ben and his family to pull their activity and support from the local Congregational church, but when he began enticing others to do the same it seemed he had a fight on his hands. Losing members was just not part of Reverend Johathan Calvert's upwardly mobile plan and he was going to do everything in his power to keep his flock safely within reach. From the Millennial Star:
NORWICH CONFERENCE – SECTARIAN INTOLERANCE
President Thomas F. Howells wrote on Aug. 7th:
“On the 22nd of last month I received
word from President Budge of his intention to come and hold a Conference with
us on the 3rd of August.
Accordingly I began to look around for the most convenient place where
we could have the most Saints and strangers to attend. Beccles, a town in Suffolk, was the first
place suggested to me, as there had been quite a nice little branch raised up
within the last two months, and it being a kind of centre place for the Saints
to rally to. But when I reached there,
and began to inquire around for a hall, I was refused, on the ground that I
belonged to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Further inquiry showed that some of the
professed ministers of the day, who divine and preach for hire, had been using
their influence against us by warning those who had the right to give us the
use of their hall not to do so. I did
not expect anything less from these Babylonish divines, as they were fully
aware their craft was in danger. They
had already lost some of their most respectable members, and in order to hinder
others being baptized for the remission of their sins, and to receiving the
Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands of the authorized servants of God, they
were determined to hem up the way. I
concluded I would try the great City of Norwich. I did so, with the same result. Not one place could I obtain to hold three
religious services on Aug. 3rd, at any price whatever. For this reason I concluded to hold our
Conference in the Saints’ Meeting House at Wymondham.”
NORWICH – We have received a letter from President
Henry Walsh, dated October 23rd, giving an account of his labors in
the Norwich Conference, since his arrival in that field, on the 16th
of August. He and Elder Howells visited
various branches. He says:
“At
Beccles we held two meetings in Brother Brown’s house. He is the president of this branch, and has
shown to the people that he would rather obey God than man. He embraced the Gospel last summer in the
face of much opposition and persecution.
The meetings were so crowded that some of the Saints had to stand to
allow the strangers to occupy their seats.
The branch was organized last summer and most of those composing it are
new members. Four have been added since
we were there the first time. Brother
Brown and the other brethren set a good example and are active in distributing
tracts and inviting strangers to the meetings.”
Wymondham, Nov. 5th, 1879
President Wm. Budge
Dear Brother,
Since my last letter I have been through the
Beccles district, and held some very good meetings in Lowestoft. They were well attended by strangers as well
as members of the church. At Beccles
three persons gave in their names to be baptized next time I call that way.
Brother Brown, president of that branch, is
meeting with a great deal of persecution from those who used to be associated
with him in religion before he embraced the Gospel in its fullness, as revealed
in these latter days. Having failed to
win him back to their false ideas and doctrines by argument, they now have
recourse to speaking “all manner of evil against” him falsely. They have stated to his creditors that he was
selling off his stock in trade privately with the intention of going to Utah,
and leaving all his debts unpaid – a base and heartless falsehood. As a consequence his creditors have crowded
him unawares. Had they given him a
little time, he could have cleared off every obligation, and had enough left to
enable him to emigrate. Should, however,
his stock be sold by auction, at ruinous prices, it is probable there will be
nothing left. This is what is called
religious liberty in this part of the country.
It is, “If you don’t have the same religious opinions and views, and
attend the same church as we, you shall be deprived of the means of
livelihood.”
Your brother in the Gospel,
Henry Walsh
Daughter Catherine wrote:
"When it became generally known that Father had embraced the gospel, he became a victim of persecution and was annoyed in many ways. His patrons withdrew their trade, business dwindled to such an extent that Father was compelled to sell his business and seek a home in the promised land."
From the East Suffolk Gazette:
4 November 1879 - LIQUIDATION: Benjamin Brown of Beccles, saddler
From correspondence published in the Millennial Star:
Nottingham, Feb. 19, 1880
Dear Brother Nicholson,
. . . . On Monday Brother Walsh and myself attended a
very pleasant meeting of the Saints at Beccles, in the house of Elder Brown. The latter endeavored to obtain the use of a
public room for the occasion, but, owing to the feeling of opposition which
prevails in the town, on account of the increase of Saints, he was unable to do
so . . . .
MINUTES OF THE NORWICH CONFERENCE
HELD IN THE
MISSION HALL, LOWESTOFT
FEBRUARY 15TH 1880
Amidst
all the persecution and financial uncertainty, tragedy and heartache struck the
Brown family. Wife Catherine gave birth to another daughter, Edith Ruth Brown,
on 19 April 1880. The infant girl died exactly four months later on 19 August
1880. Still they held on to their
new-found beliefs and made final preparations to travel to Zion.
From the East Suffolk Gazette:
6 June 1880 - LIQUIDATION: Mr. Benjamin Brown; paying 4s/- in the £
Almost 1 year later the family was ready to make their trek west. But there's a couple of things I need to point out before we move on.
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| 1881 UK Census, Brown Family, Beccles |
In the 1881 census, which was taken just a couple of months prior to their departure, we see, first, that Ben's business was indeed suffering. In 1871 he indicated that he employed 2 boys and 2 men. The family also had a live-in servant. In 1881 Ben had only 1 man in his employ. No servant. However, wife Catherine's father was living with them. Catherine's mother died in 1877, so sometime within that time spam John Knights came to live with the Brown family. Also in their household was a niece, Catherine A. Knights. Her father was William Knights, Catherine Brown's brother who was living in Lowestoft. I also noticed that son Arthur was missing from the family, so I looked up William Knight's census to see if he and niece Catherine had traded places.
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| 1881 UK Census, Knights Family, Lowestoft |
Sure enough, Arthur is found living with Uncle William and Aunt Ruth. William was a carpenter and Arthur was listed as a carpenter as well. I think it's safe to say Arthur was there to learn the trade or hone his craft while earning some money to help finance their trip.
The really interesting - and confusing - thing about this census record is that Lilian was listed on it as well. In fact, she's in both 1881 census records. I could understand her parents rattling off their children's names when asked, but I don't imagine the aunt and uncle would claim her a resident unless she was actually physically there. And why would that be? Why would she want - or need - to be away from her family and her twin sister, especially at the age of 13? Was she already showing signs of mental illness and they thought a change of scenery and the coastal air would do her good? Did the separation from the family (and from her twin) actually cause some kind of mental deficiency which would rear its ugly head later on? Or was she merely having a new experience with extended family? (Heaven forbid Uncle William or the lodger engaged her in anything that would cause life-long trauma.) Exactly why Lillian was in Lowestoft rather than being at home with her family and/or what exactly occurred there, if anything, is the million dollar question I would love to have answered. Unfortunately, that's not going to happen.
From the Millennial Star:
MINUTES OF THE NORWICH CONFERENCE
HELD IN THE
LATTER-DAY SAINTS’ CHURCH, CHAPEL STREET, LOWESTOFT
SUNDAY, MAY 15, 1881
. . . . Elder Brown represented the Beccles branch in good
standing, the Saints living their religion to the best of their ability in the
face of all opposition. Notwithstanding
the persecution which they have to endure, they still hold to their integrity,
determined to serve God. He was happy to
state that since he had connected himself with the Saints of the Most High,
that he had enjoyed the Spirit of God in rich abundance, and had continually
prayed that the time would arrive when he should have the privilege to gather
to the “mountain of the Lord’s house in the tops of the mountains.” It was with pleasure he could say that now he
had the opportunity of gathering with the Saints of God. . . .
And finally, from the East Suffolk Gazette:
24 May 1881 - MORMON EMIGRANTS: The scene witnessed on Thursday
morning at the Railway Station was a mournful
one in many respects. A party
of 18, the elders
having embraced the Mormon faith
had assembled
here with their scanty baggage to
commence a journey
of many thousands of miles in order
to enter a
new life. All
the adults in
the party associated
in any way
with religion were connected
with Nonconformity, as
Independents, Baptists or
Primitive Methodists. I
noticed two strangers, said to be Mormon agents.
By the way . . . wonder what happened to
Reverend Jonathan Calvert? Well, he didn't serve 40 years as a meek,
humble servant of God in the Beccles Independent Chapel as did his predecessor,
John Flower. But he did get exactly what I believe he was seeking - a
promotion! In December 1887 Mr. Calvert accepted a call to the newly-formed
church at Dawes Road, Fulham. In 1888 he
occupied the chair of Suffolk Congregational Union.
The beloved John Flower passed away at his home
on Sunday, 12 June 1881, 19 days after Ben and his family left for America.
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