Newbury Lower Meeting Independent Church - Marriages 1839-1860; Burials 1784-1865; Church Minute Book 1696-1734

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 marriages 1839 to 1860 and burials 1784 to 1865.  These have been supplemented with information from 'Mr. Merryman's Book' which includes lists of members commencing in the year 1696, much information regarding the admission and removal of many of the members and deaths and burials 1729 to 1734.