Personal Information

Joseph Cherry: Birth ABT 1816 in Sandbach, Cheshire, England; Christened/Baptised in; Death ABT 1892 in Chalford, Gloucestershire, England; Buried in; Spouse Jane Bennett married on 1842 at Congleton, Cheshire, England; Children; Spouse Eliza Tanner married on 11 NOV 1858 at Stroud, Gloucestershire, England; Children; Spouse; Children

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Joseph Cherrey, was a former Mill foreman and a local Wesleyan Preacher, he was attached to the Stroud & Dursley Methodist Circuit. There were numerous records at Gloucester county archives for this collection and some contain references to Joseph Cherrey (such as the Local preachers minutes, 1840-1869 (GRO Ref. No. D3187/1/3/17) and the Quarterly meetings minutes, 1874-1905 (D3187/1/3/12)). In the examples on the "Other Documents Tab" from the D3187/1/3/17 collection, you can see his name (cherrey) in attendance at the top of most of them.

Wesleyan Methodism as a religious movement grew up in the 1730's as a result of the teachings of John Wesley, who argued that Christ was mankind's only salvation and that if you loved God in return, you would "be saved from sin and made holy". The Wesleyans had strong personal morals (especially with regards the dangers of gambling and drinking) and also believed in hard work. The name "Methodist" was a pejorative college nickname that was bestowed upon a small group of students at Oxford, who met together between 1729 and 1735 for the purpose of mutual improvement. Methodism was most popular in the textile and mining districts of England and Wales and, by the time John Wesley died in 1791, the Methodist movement had over 76,000 members. After Wesley's death the Methodists formally separated from the Anglican Church. Membership continued to grow and by 1801 reached 87,000. From the 1840s onwards the Methodists started an ambitious programme of building, concentrating on building chapels or 'preaching houses' and schools, which cemented their place in local communities.

With regards to their organisation, the early Methodists were open-air preachers and they travelled around the country, where they mainly visited poor neighbourhoods, often preaching to large crowds, and becoming notorious for their enthusiastic sermons. Gradually Methodist congregations were established, each of which covered separate districts and which were divided into 'circuits'. These circuits were governed by a "superintendent minister" and ministers were appointed to these circuits rather than to individual chapels. Most circuits had many fewer ministers than chapels, with the majority of services being led, and sermons preached, by lay local preachers. Initially, Methodist ministers were untrained and had full time day jobs, but as the movement gained in popularity, ministers began to receive training.

Josephs name also appeared in the Personal Names Index at Gloucester archives and gave the reference (GRO Ref. No. D4773). It was for some deeds and sales particulars (dated 1796 - 1949) pertaining to a cottage in France Lynch called Orchard Cottage or 'Smoky Hole'. The document "29th September 1876 - Conveyance Of Dwelling Lands" also happens to mention that he married his present wife (Eliza Tanner) at the local Wesleyan Chapel Stroud on the 11th of November 1858

Joseph Cherry