At the beginning of the first Register kept at the Dissenting Chapel, North Meols (now the URC on Botanic Road, Churchtown) George Greatbatch wrote


“The following facts are thought worth preserving.

Viz.  In the beginning of the year 1806 – it being pretty generally known in the Parish that the Protestant Dissenters intended baptising their own children; there was considerable opposition made against it by the Minister of the Parish Church.  He caused it to be made known that none of the children so baptised should be buried in the usual way – and one person (W. Sutton, Shoe Maker, Mill Lane) was so alarmed that the said Minister was sent for to re-baptise his child while it was in dying circumstances.
 
            In consequence of all this stir, it was thought prudent to write to the Minister. This was done, and the following is a copy of the letter which was sent.

 
*Newbro’ Feb. 6 1806

Rev. Sir,

            As it is generally reported in your parish that you will bury no children which shall be baptised at our meeting, and being unwilling to receive such information on mere report, I take the liberty of addressing these lines unto you.

            I can assure you it is my desire to live peaceably with all men – it is under the influence of this disposition that I now express my concern (if the report referred to be true) that you should attempt to deny us our privelidge(sic), to which as Protestant Dissenters, we have a legal right; and which I think upon reflection you will soon perceive the propriety of.

            With certain documents which I have before me at this time, I could have proceeded in this business on another plan; but to show, that I wish to live in peace with you, as well as with every other person with whom I may differ in sentiment, have rather chosen to address you in this private manner.

            Liberty of conscience, is what every person has a right to; and blessed be God, what every Englishman at this time enjoys. Taking it for granted that you see the propriety of this, permit me to advise that we do every thing in our power to assist each other in every attempt to be useful to immortal souls.

            Hope you will not take this amiss, and shall be obliged to you for an answer as soon as convenient.

                                   I remain, Sir, with due deference,

                                               Yr obt servt, **

                                                           Geo Greatbatch.

 Rev. Mr  Mawdsley

N. Meols

 

(*G. Greatbatch resided at Newburgh at that time)
** Your obedient servant

 
NB.  The above letter was never answered – but we have reason to believe it produced the desired effect.  He was silent afterwards – in the beginning of the May following one of the children died which we had baptised – and the Minister buried it without making a word.”

 
The child referred to was Ann, daughter of William and Margaret Sutton of Mill Lane, born on December 30th 1805 and baptised by George Greatbatch on January 6th 1806, the first baptism of a Protestant Dissenter to take place in North Meols.  The Rev. John Mawdsley did not see fit to record the second baptism in the St Cuthbert’s Registers, only her death on January 30th 1806, aged just one month, and her burial, apparently later the same day.

Beryl M Jones