Article No.27

Knotting Green (HF)

Knotting is a small village two miles from Sharnbrook, eight from Kimbolton, and four-and-a-half from Higham Ferrers. The population in 1801 was 105 (22 houses, 22 families); 1831, 165; 1841, 170; 1901, 107.

The first mention of Knotting in the Church records is in March, 1843. In the Schedule of Chapels, etc., dated 1851 it is stated that preaching services were held in a private house (At Mr George Hodby’s grandfather’s) first used for that purpose in "the year 1841." The Accommodation was 64 sittings. The attendance afternoon and evening on March 30th, 1851, was 29 and 60 respectively. In the Triennial Schedule 1842-5 Knotting appears with six members and 14 on trial.

In the circuit plan of 1850 it is shown with two services on Sunday, at two and six o'clock, and one service, on Tuesdays at seven o'clock. It is not in the plan for May, 1874, the Society having lapsed nine years previously—June quarter, 1865.

Mrs. Harriet Betts, wife of George Betts, says:

"I am nearly 77 years old. We used to go to Souldrop for preaching services and class meeting. I used to meet in Mr. Wood's class. We went there many years. We had preaching in this house (Mrs. Betts') for 20 years before the chapel was built; only an evening service. They used to preach at Souldrop in the afternoon and here in the evening.

"About 23 years ago [i.e., say 1884] there was a Sunday morning service at Knotting, and while the sermon was going on the pudding would be in the pot boiling.

"When Mr. Pickworth came he arranged for two services afternoon and evening at Knotting and Souldrop. He worked hard for the chapel, which was opened in June, 1889. (Mrs Betts born December 1830, lived at Strawberry Hill, just across the fields towards Riseley.)

"During the whole of the 23 years the services were held at Mr. Betts' there were no collections. He provided the forms and chairs and the lighting; they bought six forms. It was proposed that there should be collections for oil, but only three were taken!

Mr. Payne has preached in this house. (The Rev Joseph Payne, in the circuit 1856-8) Old Mr. Dawson has preached here many times, and slept here. He was a very plain, good old Wesleyan. There was also a Mr. Mitchell, of Hargrave, and Mr. S. Law, of Swineshead. (He died March 10th 1903 aged 89) We used to get some of the older men here and have had good times.

"Mr. Magniac gave us the land for our chapel at Knotting Green. A gentleman at Bedford named Howard, very intimate with Mr. Tom Sanders, interceded for us and got the land. Mr. Magniac said the chapel was not to be opened till it was paid for. Mr. Tom Sanders was a great friend to us, and the circuit was very good. Mr. Sanders's daughter laid the stone. The chapel was built in the year 1889."

The Bible which is on the reading desk has the inscription "Presented to the Trustees of the Wesleyan Chapel, Knotting, by Ambrose Marriott, of Higham Ferrers, June 10, 1889."

Mr. Jesse Betts was appointed the first Society steward in 1889. In May, 1891, there were ten members of Society; in 1894 and 1895 seven.

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Conveyance of a piece of land situate in the parish of Knotting:

Charles Magniac to Thomas Sanders and others.

Dated 14 July, 1888.

Between Charles Magniac of Colmworth in the County of Bedford.

1st Part

Thomas Sanders	Higham Ferrers	Currier
Samuel Joll	Higham Ferrers	Grocer
Jesse Betts	Knotting	Labourer
Isaac Cunnington	Higham Ferrers	Boot Manufacturer
George H. Groom	Higham Ferrers	Boot Manufacturer
Thomas Hulatt	Souldrop	Labourer
Samuel Pack	Higham Ferrers	Boot Manufacturer
George Parsons	Irthlingboro’	Farmer
Oliver Patenall	Higham Ferrers	Currier
Thomas Patenall	Higham Ferrers	Boot Manufacturer
Henry Sanders	Higham Ferrers	Boot Manufacturer
John Henry Sanders	Higham Ferrers	Boot Manufacturer

2nd Part

Rev. Arthur James Pickworth of Higham Ferrers, Wesleyan Minister, Superintendent Preacher for the time being

3rd Part