Reverend John Hornblow


John Hornblow  was born in in Barnes in Surrey in 1744 - 
Ordained into the Particular Baptist Church in 1779  and sent to Braintree as its Baptist Minister
 He  died 1816

He believed he had been born on Halstead  however a paid search of Halstead register for John Hornblow did not find  him .Then in  December 2020  I found an entry in BARNES on the Thames in Surrey 

He was born in 1744 in Barnes in Surrey the eldest of 6 children to Jeronimo Hornblow & his wife Mary Mew.   Jeronimo was a Malster ,  son of Jeronimo Hornblow a malster B 16 April 1718 in Mildenhall Wilts. 
  A Malster was the man who germinated the barley corn to make malt for brewing all kinds of beers
He married Mary Mew in Upton cum Chavley in Buckinghamshire 1st Oct 1743  where Jeronimo was recorded as Jeronima -
This seems to have morphed into Jeremiah the Halstead malster leading me to think that  I think Jeronimo & Jeremiah in Halstead were probably one & the same on this occasion     

  1718  Jeronimo Hornblow of Puttall in the county of Wiltshire - Putall Farm  is close to Henset off A4 & not far from Mildenhall

The family tree  traces back to 1590 Thatcham

Hieronomy Hornblow of Thatcham &  Ellenor Basing of Cheively, Berks Married By Banns on 26 Sep 1711 St Andrew Chaddleworth Berkshire

Jeronimo Hornblow son of Jeronimo Bb 16 April 1718 at Mildenhall Wilts

Jeronimo HornblowYeoman burial 26 May 1737 St Mary Thatcham Berks

Jeronimo Hornblow married Mary Mew 1 Oct 1743 Upton Cum Chievely Bucks -
Rev John was the eldest son of this couple who moved 1st to Barnes then to Halstead in Essex

Hornblow Jeronimo 1681 Bb son of John in Thatcham, Berkshire, England

  marriage licence Sept 1710 for Mr Hornblow & Miss Smith

Hornblow Jeronimo 1718 Bb son of Jeronimo in Mildenhall, Wiltshire, En

   married Mary Mew 1743  in Upton cum Chalvey, Bucks

Hornblow Jeronimo 1750 Bb  son of Jeronimo in Barnes,, Surrey, 

younger brother of Rev John b 1744

Jeronimo Hornblow married Sarah Houke in Newington St Mary Surrey in 1813

Jeronimo Edward Hornblow Bb 28 Nov 1821 son of Jeronimo & Sarah in Southwark,

Hornblow Jeronimo son of Robert & Ann Bb 1790 Baptism London, England

More children followed John in 1744,another son and 2 daughters  in Barnes and at least 2 sons more in Halstead
After 1750 there were no more Hornblow baptisms in the Barnes register. Thus  a reasonable presumption is that they moved from Barnes to Halstead 

Halsted Market House built in 1570  demolished in 1816

There was also an Ebenezer in the family & possibly a Thomas

The children of Jeronimo Hornblow & his wife Mary Mew found thus far in  FMP

There is a gravestone in Halstead to Rev John's parents
 A round top headstone with raised curved shoulders and matching footstone

JERONIMO HORNBLOW  28 Jan 1787
 MARY HORNBLOW November 19 1789 Mary, wife of Jeronimo Hornblo

JOHN HORNBLOW 's. Early life-  His  obituary states  that as a young man he was sent to London as an apprentice.   This was a time  when boys were apprenticed at around 12 or 16 years old  
Found  2016 
Apprenticed in London 1760 - age about 16  . sent to  St Giles, Cripplegate,  the part of London that Charles Dickens set his story of cruel poverty Oliver Twist.    His father's name has altered or morphed from Jeronimo to Jeremiah

John Hornblow 1760 Role Apprentice Looking Glass Frame Maker,
The Worshipful Company of Haberdashers -
Apprentice/Freeman name John Hornblow,son of Jeremiah Hornblow,a Malster, of Halsted, Essex  bound to Master John Rushton of  Red Cross Square Jewen Street 

London Metropolitan Archives reference CLC/L/HA/C/011/MS15860/009 Folio / Page number 35 Catalogue description Worshipful Company of Haberdashers  : Register of apprentice bindings 1755-1833 Record set City of London, Haberdashers, apprentices and freemen 1526-1933

St Giles  Cripplegate  in the north west corner of the city of London 


BY 1769  he was a Master Looking Glass Frame Maker and soon indentured  on several apprentices himself

1772 John Hornblow Master Looking Glass Frame Maker  of 18 Phillip Lane  Apprenticed until age 21  (Freeman) Robert Padden son of Anthony Paddon , brewer, of Tothill Street, Saint Margarets, Westminster 

London Metropolitan  Archives ref:  CLC/L/HA/C/011/MS15860/009 Folio /  Page number 127  Cat  description Worshipful Company of Haberdashers - Register of apprentice bindings 1755-1833


1st apprentice 

Rev John Hornblow, Looking Glass Frame Maker left London in 1779 so who was this John Hornblow 10 years latein 1789  Looking Glass Frame Maker taking on Apprentice Robert Paddon 

His nephew Jeremiah Hornblow  was Apprenticed to him in 1767 Livery company Cutler   Jeremiah, son of Jeremiah Hornblow, Halstead, Essex, maltster, bound to to Thomas Dunnage, 26 Mar 1767, Cutlers' Company.  Record set London Apprenticeship Abstracts, 1442-1850 Category Education & work Subcategory Apprentices Collections from Great Britain



His son John Hornblow born in Braintree in 1787  son of John Hornblow of Braintree, Essex, dissenting minister Apprenticed 1797 Livery company Grocers - to William Spencer 6 Apr 1797, Grocers' Company Birth county Essex  Record set London Apprenticeship Abstracts, 1442-1850

He also had a son Ebenezer born 1788 Died  Age 38 Buried 29 Oct 1826 but there was another Ebenezer who might  have been Rev John's brother 

five years on there is another apprentice who appears to be a nephew, Robert son of John's brother Jeronimo.

1775 Robert Hornblow   Son of Jeromino Hornblow Malster in  Halstead, Essex   - bound to John Hornblow,  Master Looking Glass Frame Maker of Phillip Lane, London Wall - apprenticed as a  clasp maker 

London Metropolitan Archives reference CLC/L/HA/C/011/MS15860/009 Folio / Page number 172 Catalogue description Worshipful Company of Haberdashers - Register of apprentice bindings 1755-1833

Ebenezer Hornblow  1820  Admitted as a  Master Silversmith and Jeweller Address  4 Thavies Inn Holborn
Occupation Silversmith and Jeweller
 son of John Hornblow deceased (in 1816  ) 
Admitted by  Patrimony
London Metropolitan Archives reference  CLC/L/HA/C/007/MS15857/003 Folio / Page number 229
Catalogue description  Worshipful Company of Haberdashers - Register of freedom admissions 1773-1967


 An Ebenezer Hornblow was a witness to the marriage of Rev. John's daughter Sarah, Mrs Moore,  when she married John Cadle in 1816.

but was he Sarahs brother or her uncle >or son of the Other John Hornblow

Whilst  in London, having been brought up in the Anglican Church,  John Hornblow seems to have converted to the Particular Baptist faith having heard the charismatic Rev Anthony Booth the minister of the Baptist Church, in Prescott Street, Goodman Field. 

This is where in all probability he met Elizabeth Young, daughter of a cabinet maker, the  non conformist John Young and his wife Rachel Ridley of Mansell Street Goodmans Fields.

John Hornblow married Elizabeth Young on 10 Oct 1775 in the Alngican church of  St Georges Botolphs Lane London.
The Young  family were dissenters, Baptists , and were not permitted to marry in Baptist churches at that time
They were married in the Anglican church of St Georges in Botolph Lane.
The register for the Marriage of John Hornblow & Elizabeth Young shows John apparently living in parish of St Alphage.... 
Wikipedia says ..St Alphage, London Wall  so called because it sat right on London Wall,  the City of London boundary, was a church in Bassishaw Ward in the City of London. It is sometimes referred to as St Alphege, using an alternative spelling of the Saint's name, or as St Alphage Cripplegate, because of its proximity to Cripplegate.

The Register of St Marys Whitechapel also called St Mary s Goodmans Fields. 1756

 



 Elizabeth  Young  age 3 and  4 of her siblings were  the children of  John Young, a cabinet maker in Mansell Street , Goodmans Field  and his wife Rachel Ridley., married in 1746 at  St Mary Magdalene Old Fish Street, London.  The children were  registered  together  in 1756 &  would have been baptised when they  were older. 

Abraham Booth was preaching in Goodmans Field and John & Elizabet's  marriage was witnessed by William Young  and Morell Young which is a most unusual  name  -relationship possibly grandmother ..

Mrs Morrell Young Age 77 born 1723 died 1800 Burial date 12 Mar 1800 Denomination Baptist from St George Botolph Lane  London
The National Archives reference TNA/RG/4/4506 Description LONDON: Mill Yard, Goodman's Fields (Baptist):   

 Mr John Young Burial  01 Oct 1776 Denomination Dissenters Description LONDON: Bunhill Field's Burial Ground, City Road: Burials. The National Archives reference TNA/RG/4/3984

IN 1779 the Braintree Baptist Church near Colchester in Essex asked Rev Abraham Booth of London to recommend a new minister for their church, and John Hornblow, being a member of Booths Church in Prescot Street London, was the one they sent

 Abraham Booth was one of the first Particular Baptists to encourage Home Evangelism and training of young ministers. The outcome was the founding of Stepney College in 1810 (later Regents Park College Oxford

John Hornblow  was recommended and in the year of his Ordination he became Pastor of Braintree in 1779 with an annual stipend of about £40.

He immediately caused dissension with the church and a further urore ensued over who was in charge,  John Hornblow or Dr Perot

 Amongst other things there was a reference made by Dr Perot, a generous man, as to the ' largeness of his John Hornblow’s family and the smallness of his purse.'  The Dr offered him a guinea a week which Rev Hornblow refused. It was soon apparent that Hornblow was not going to be a popular man, he was an authoritarian and his attitude caused 'unpleasantness' in the community, which lead to an investigation at one point.
Extract from History of Braintree Baptist Church by G.D.Witard.

Rev John Hornblow was a tenant of the Manse at the time of his death in 1816. It is presumed he took over the Manse when he first came to Braintree 37 years earlier.  Much of the grounds between his house and the Meeting House was in use as the burial ground.

During the ministry of Rev. John Hornblow, 1779-1816, the chapel was enlarged to accommodate 400 people thanks to his gifted oratory .

In 1779 Having served his apprenticeship in London  the Reverend John Hornblow, age 35,  & his  wife Elizabeth, age 26,returned to his home of Halstead where he had been appointed f Minister at the Particular baptist Church there 

John Hornblow  married Elizabeth Young, daughter of John Young a cabinet maker and his wife Rachel Ridley in 1775 They were both non conformists, Paricular Baptists.  John Hornblow began his working life as a Looking Glass Frame Maker with an apprentice or two until 1779 when he was ordained as a Baptist Minister.
Mention was made of them having a 'large family'  by the time John Hornblow was ordained as a Baptist Minister and given the Ministry in Braintree in 1779. 

However I have found only 2 children born before they went to Braintree. In those pre contraception days there could have been a child born every 18 months  or so.

When searching for  families in the past a problem arises from the fact that  John & Elizabeth are common names and that makes it difficult even with a surname like HORNBLOW.AND there was another John HJornblow with a wife Elizabeth living in London.. his other John  Hornblow was a coal dealer &   married Elizabeth Archer in 1780 after Rev John had left London. He had a   premises in Noel Street and Wardour Street  in Piccaddily and paying rates to Westminster parish up until 1815

TIMELINE Rev  John Hornblow and his wife Elizabeth has at least 10 children - I have found a few records for some of them, no baptisms at birth, because they were Baptists. There may have  been other children may have been born  that died young between 1775-1782 - a 7 year period, because Dr Perrott in Braintree in 1779 remarked on the size of Johns family and the smallness of his purse. Something which John Hornblow seems to have got very stuffy about. 

1778  John still working as a looking Glass Frame Maker in London . Then In 1779 John’s was ordained on 15th July 1779 and given the Braintree ministry & moved from London to Braintree, Essex. 


Married at St. Michael, Braintree as a minor with consent of Parents on 7th March 1814  to bachelor Edward Hayward of Saffron Walden, Both signed the register. Witnessed by, Hannah Hornblow and others.  ( ref Boyd's Essex)  Son  Edward Hayward born 1815 in Saffron Waldon Quakers -
son Edward B 18 Aug 1815




Braintree Manse before it was hit by a 1,000lb WWII bomb


Essex  Archives entry includes
By 1760 the cottage had been purchased by the congregation and fitted up as a place of worship.   
During the ministry of Rev. John Hornblow, 1779-1816, the chapel was enlarged to accommodate 400 people, and in 1833 was rebuilt at the cost of £1,882.


Extract from his obituary in the Baptist Magazine dated 1816 includes the following

 He has known great family afflictions. Unpleasant circumstances took place respecting sentiment, which have made havoc before it subsided. In the course of his pilgrimage many circumstances occurred both in his religious and family connections, which frequently caused him mourning.

Rev John Hornblow had a stroke at Christmas time of 1815 and then another in April of 1816. He was much visited by his friends during his illness and he died on 4th June 1816 age 73 .He was buried in the Baptist burial ground at Braintree. (This was sold in 1941 and is now a car park.)

 John Hornblow Obituary from the Baptist magazine 1816

Note (I have transcribed this exactly as I received it with the 19th century language and the grammar which may seem a little strange although the general meaning is clear enough)

Died lately at an advances age, the Reverend Hornblow for many years the esteemed pastor of the Baptist Church at Braintree, in Essex. He had known great afflictions but was enabled with grace to “adore the doctrine of God his Saviour”. He was not popular but yet a faithful and zealous minister of the gospel of God.

 The Rev John Hornblow lately presiding over the Baptist Church in Braintree, in the county of Essex was a native of Halstead in the same county. In the early  ( part) of life  he was placed in the metropolis to a calling which he occupied to general satisfaction. In the former part of his life he adhered to the principals of the established Church, being brought up in that persuasion. He then became  a follower of the Rev Mr G Whitefield. After a time, his mind being impressed by the welfare of immortal souls, he attempted to speak in the name of Jesus. Being led to think on the order and ordinances of God’s house, he discovered that propriety of believers’ baptised by immersion and not being satisfied to live in the neglect of that ordinance, he accepted himself as a candidate and the united with the Church of the late Rev, Mr Anthony Booth and was accepted in principal that he must lay aside the preaching not having been sent out in an orderly way with which he complied. The Church thought it advisable to call him to the trail of his gifts when after some little time he was sent forth to publish the glad tidings of salvation to perishing sinners. Some time afterwards he preached to the people at Braintree, which led to his coming amongst them and in due time he was ordained. His stay with the people was not long before things assumed a very unpleasant aspect. A leading man wishing to exercise undue authority led to a great deal of trouble.

The meetinghouse having lately undergone an enlargement the person alluded to used his authority as it was principally under his superintendent. The above unpleasantness led to an investigation by the board of ministers appointed for that purpose- which terminated in favour of Mr Hornblow and to the lessening of the authority of the leading man.

The ministry of Mr Hornblow was well attended for some years and considerable increase of members seals to his ministry. A few years afterwards an unpleasant circumstance took place respecting sentiment, which made much havoc before it subsided. In the course of his pilgrimage many trying circumstances occurred, both as to his religious and family connections, which caused him to go mourning.

About Christmas 1812 he was attacked by a paralytic stroke and so great was the shock that it was thought that his dissolution was at hand, but his pilgrimage was not ended, he was so far restored as to resume his usual labours, though with great infirmity but such was his desire to labour to the end, that he expressed a wish to be led into the pulpit. His deportment was such as to gain esteem from people of all the different denominations of Christians in the neighbourhood. His company was by many much desired being never so much in his element as when speaking about divine things.

In an attempt to enter a friend’s house on the 22 April 1816 he fell down and could not rise without assistance. In this last confinement when sensible if asked by friends the state of his mind he generally acknowledges that he was comfortable tough the weight of affliction caused him to groan, yet he was submissive under the dispensation which he to be bringing on his dissolution. On Thursday May 2 two days before his death being visited by one of his friends he seemed pleased that he was going. The friend replied I hope safe into that hiding place you referred us to last Lord’s day.” He replied If it were not for that what should I do now. O, let me hide myself in thee, thou God of all grace and such a poor creature as I am.” And with uplifted hands made use of the publicans language saying “O, what a mercy that the righteousness of Christ is complete nothing in my hands I bring o that I may be found in Him living and dying” and with many other expressions which appeared to be of some import though not distinctly understood, his body being in a weak and restless state his mind appeared calm and serene. He was affected at parting saying that “ it was not likely that we should meet again but O” said he “ that I may meet you in a better world”. Affectionately wishing them and theirs that which the world cannot give nor take away. The person left him sorrowing, most of all that he should hear his voice no more. On Friday another friend called found him apparently in a praying frame of mind and being asked whether Christ was precious he answered in the affirmative and said “He will never leave his people nor forsake them. And added “He hath done all things well being to wise to err” In parting he wished them well and blessed them in the Lord.

On Saturday June 4th 1816 the greater part of the day he was incapable of taking notice or speaking. About 9.30 in the evening the spirit took flight and left its mortal remains in the 73 year of his age after being Pastor at Braintree Baptist Church for 39 years.

John Hornblow died Braintree 1816 & was buried in the Protester Dissenters Burial Ground at Bocking
on May 11th 1816

Reverend John Hornblow  left no Wiil:  If he had left  a Will then the National Archives would have the Estate Duty payment records (IR 26 and IR27) This details who got what, their relationship to the deceased (married name if a daughter, sometimes this is the married name after death of deceased so not mentioned in the will) and also often death dates of beneficiaries depending how the estate was left.


After John’s death the Baptist Church in Braintree formulated a creed with rules laid down and discipline exercised.  Under this new Order Elizabeth Hornblow, after 40 years of service to the Baptist Church in Braintree , in 1819  was censored and dismissed from Braintree . she was sent  to Kentish Town in  London where the Baptist Church in Kepple Street received her.  Kentish Town, Pancras in the days before the railway arrived was  a leafy suburb .  

 Elizabeth Hornblow B 1753 of Cottage Place Kentish Town, St Pancras died Age 68 & was buried 29 Apr 1821 in St James Hampstead Road Piccadilly 


Also buried  in St James Hampstead Road Piccadilly was the other matriarch
Elizabeth Archer Hornblow b 1759 died  & buried 10 Aug 1823