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Celebrating Hampshire Historians

Jefferson, Joseph

28.10.1766 - 12.06.1824

Jefferson was born in Wigton, in the county of Cumberland and, educated at a grammar school in the town. Of a ‘studious disposition’ and wishing for a ‘contemplative life’ he planned to enter the ministry. After teaching for a number of years, for various reasons he became estranged from the Established Church and in 1789 joined the Independent Church in Cockermouth. Between October of that year and 1791 he studied at Homerton College ‘and passed with ability and honour through his academical course’.

He was then invited ‘to supply the Independent Church at Basingstoke, then vacant by the decease of the Rev. J. Ridgway’. Ordained in 1792 he remained at Basingstoke until 1819, when some unspecified issues led to his resignation and removal to Thirsk Independent Church where he served as pastor until his death in 1824. It was mentioned in a brief report which appeared in the Durham County Advertiser (10.07.1824) that Jefferson was ‘distinguished as a scholar, and was particularly devoted to the study of the Hebrew and its cognate oriental dialects.’ While one of his successors at Basingstoke, the Revd Capes Tarbolton, referred to Jefferson, ‘as a poetical and antiquarian writer, as well as an earnest and successful Minister” (Hants and Berks Gazette, 20.10.1900).

Sources

“Memoir of the Late Rev. Joseph Jefferson, of Thirsk Yorkshire”, Evangelical Magazine and Missionary Chronicle (January 1825), pp. 1-7 available online; when the link opens, it will give access to a large document. Add the term 'Jefferson' to the search option to the left and links will come up to Joseph Jefferson.

Surman Index

Portrait

View of Holy Ghost Chepel in Basingstoke

A view of the ruins of the Holy Ghost Chapel, Basingstoke

Contribution to county’s history

As the titles of his published works indicate, Jefferson’s very specific contributions related to north-east Hampshire and they served to stimulate interest on the part of later historians, such as Baigent and Millard.   

Relevant published works

  • An initial version of what was to be a Sketch of the History of the Holy Ghost Chapel at Basingstoke in Hampshire, was published in 1793 by T. North of London followed by a first edition in 1804; a second, ‘improved and enlarged’ edition by J Lucas of Basingstoke in 1808; and a third edition in 1819.

  • The History of Basing House in Hampshire (1815)

  • An account of the Roman mosaic pavement discovered at Badley Pound Farm, near Crondall in Hampshire 26th May 1817 (Basingstoke: Samuel Chandler, 1817)

  • History of Silchester (1821)

Critical Comments

Other Comments

Jefferson was an early example of a Nonconformist clergyman with an interest in local history.

Contributor

Roger Ottewill (8 Sept 2023)

Key Words

Independent Church, Basingstoke,

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