Newbury Lower Meeting Independent Church - Baptisms 1695-1771 & 1784-1864

The Independent Church at Newbury was founded about 1686 although its progenitors were followers of the Reverend Benjamin Woodbridge who was ejected from the living at Newbury in 1662.  After the death of Mr. Woodbridge in 1684 the Independent and Presbyterian bodies formed distinct congregations, holding separate communion services but meeting in the same building and having a common fund.  Mr. Benjamin Merriman, a native of Newbury, became the first pastor of the Independents in 1686.  A few years later differences arose between the two congregations and in 1697 the Presbyterians withdrew and erected the Upper Meeting House near the river Kennet.  This booklet contains a transciption of the register of baptisms 1695 to 1771 and 1784 to 1864.