Congregationalists, Chilton Foliat
On 16 May 1672 the house of Sir Bulstrode Whitelock, lawyer, member of parliament and diarist, at Chilton Lodge was licensed for Congregational worship. Whitelock lived at Chilton Lodge from 1663 to 1675 and, although he attended the parish church regularly, he also regularly held conventicles at his house on Sundays. Those preaching at the conventicles included James Hounsell, the “lay preacher” noted at St. Mary’s Church in 1649, who had been ejected at the Restoration. Other preachers included George Cokayn, Whitelocke himself, and James Pearson, a member of Whitelocke’s household.
Following the granting of the licence in 1672, members of the congregation included visitors from Hungerford and Ramsbury. Whitelock claimed that at a meeting in 1674, some 300 people had attended. The meetings are likely to have ended with Whitelocke’s death on 28 July 1675.
However, a licence for worship, believed to be Independent worship, was granted in 23 January 1832, to take place in a house in the occupation of a Thomas Duck, but belonging to Fulwar Craven, owner at the time of the Chilton House estate.,
Following the granting of the licence in 1672, members of the congregation included visitors from Hungerford and Ramsbury. Whitelock claimed that at a meeting in 1674, some 300 people had attended. The meetings are likely to have ended with Whitelocke’s death on 28 July 1675.
However, a licence for worship, believed to be Independent worship, was granted in 23 January 1832, to take place in a house in the occupation of a Thomas Duck, but belonging to Fulwar Craven, owner at the time of the Chilton House estate.,