Appendix 1 - Congregations in early 18th cent.

Summary

In 1715 the General Body of Ministers of the Three Denominations collected information about the number of dissenting congregations in England and Wales and the number of nonconformist voters, from local correspondents. The list, which received additions and amendments up to 1729, is known as the Evans List from the name of the secretary of the General Body. The intention was to demonstrate to the government of the day the strength of the dissenting interest. Because most of the information was received from Presbyterian and Independent ministers the Baptists tend to be under-represented in most counties, but not in Bedfordshire for which there are two lists. The second was compiled by Rev. John Jennings of Kibworth in Leicestershire. For further information about the list see Congregational Historical Society Transactions, vol. 19 (1961), pp. 72-79.

The Evans List is now in Dr Williams's Library (MS. 38.4). The following abbreviations were used by John Evans. BT - Borough Town, M - Market Town, I - Independent, P - Presbyterian, and A - (Ana)baptist.