John Dando, the elder, my 6 x great-grandfather, was involved in the Calvinistic Methodist movement during the 18th century Evangelical Revival. He was not only acquainted with, but offered hospitality to the famous preacher, George Whitefield, when he was staying in Dursley, Gloucestershire.

Whitefield became the Countess of Huntingdon’s personal chaplain and with his assistance the Countess founded the Countess of Huntingdon’s Connexion, a Calvinistic movement within the Methodist Church.

Although John Dando was a hat maker, it was because of him that a group of Calvinistic Methodists moved from Stancombe to Dursley and established a Tabernacle (a type of Non-Conformist church), which was completed in about 1760.

In 1771, John wrote to Selina, The Countess of Huntingdon. The original letter is kept at The Countess of Huntingdon's Archives, The Cheshunt Foundation, Westminster College, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0AA. F1 Series No. 141.


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In the letter, John begins by discussing the price of hats but he goes on to talk about a preacher, which the Countess had recently sent to Dursley. In 2008, my parents went to Cambridge and viewed the letter. It reads as follows...

For
The Right Honourable
The Countess of Huntington

Dursley Nover 17th 1771

Most Excellent Lady
At the request of Dr Mr Hill I have sent you the prises of Hatts both Retaile and wholesale a Hat we sell for 6 shillings Retale we sell for 5 wholesale and so on a half guinea Hat Retale we sell for 9 shillings wholesale, and sell as few wholesale as what we call a paper which is 3 so may have 3: 6: 9 or a dosen or Dosens of what sortt you please. We dont in comon Buttn and loop them in the wholesale way, but shall not stand with you as they are for such purposes. Shall think it my Duty and Intress to go on the Best and lowes Terms possable I can. Mr. Hawksworth have been greatly Blest amongst us and have been much Intreated by our frends to come againe but he says he is not his own. - Therefore we Intreat your Ladyship to let him now and then to take a Round amongst us. - hare seems to be a great Revival thousands flock after the Bread of life beside fresh places all Round our nabourhood that is set out for Zion with their faces thither ward. - beside the great and wonderfull work at Wootten underedge chefly by the Blessed Instrumenttalety of Dr Mr Hill must conclude your Ladyships unworthy Serv't Jn Dando

I am also Desired by all our christain Frends in the late Dr Mr Whitfilds Connecttions in these partts to send you our kindest thanks for this visit which you was pleased to suffer Mr Hawkesworth to make us praying all your Ladyships undertakeings for the Gospel may meet with many Blessings from our Lord +
If your Ladyship have any Orders please to Direct to John Dando Hattmaker In Dursley Gloucstershire.


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It's not known whether John Dando ever met the Countess in person but he certainly knew Whitefield.

Read more about John on his family page and his biography page.

Ireland 0 - 13 England. That was the score on 18th February 1882 when the England football team played Ireland for the first time and this victory remains England's largest ever win. The 1881-1882 season was the 11th season of competitive football for England but it was the Irish team's international debut and the friendly game took place at Knock Ground, Bloomfield, Belfast.

The game was also a first (and last) international appearance for Robert Stuart King, later to become Rev. Canon Robert Stuart King, who was studying at Oxford University at the time. Robert played in the half-back position and was one of seven who became the 90th players to appear for England. He played for the full 90 minutes of the game and was aged 19 years and 320 days.

If anyone has further information or pictures about the match, or about Robert himself, please contact me.

Robert Stuart King was related to me by marriage, being the husband of the daughter of my 2 x great-grandfather on my 'Dando' side. You can see Robert's family page at www.hibbitt.org.uk/familytree/fam1821.html

[Why Sports Centre Saturday? This phrase has been included in the title in order to take part in Daily Blogging Prompts at Geneabloggers]