John DANDO - (abt. 1743 - 1809)

John DANDO, the younger, was born in about 1743, the eldest son of John and Susanna DANDO of Dursley, Gloucestershire. He married Ann BROTHERS on 3rd November 1767 in Dursley and the couple moved to Rodborough, Gloucestershire, where they had several children who were baptized in Rodborough Calvinistic Methodist Tabernacle.

Ann died in 1797 and John moved to Bristol with his family shortly afterwards. He later married a widow in Bristol, Mrs Esther SHIPWAY, on 1st August 1799.

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John wrote a will on 13th October 1809 and died on 23rd November 1809. He had been a hatmaker in Bristol when he made his will.

Below is a transcript of the will of John DANDO, which was proved on 10th February 1810 in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury. (Note: Where a word is illegible, ....... appears in its place. Where a word is in doubt, ?? appears after the word)...

John Dando
This is the last Will and Testament of Mr John Dando of the City of Bristol hatmaker I give and devise my Messuage or Tenement now in the tenure or occupation of Hugh Howes?? situate in New Street in the Parish of Saint Philip and Jacob in the County of Gloucester with all its ....... unto and to the use of my dear Son Joseph Dando his heirs and Assigns for ever I give and bequeath to each of my other children Stephen Dando John Dando Jehoida Dando and Sarah Phillips the sum of Seventy Pounds I give and bequeath unto my dear Sister Elizabeth Barnes for the term of her natural life an Annuity or ....... Yearly Sum of ten?? pounds payable by equal quarterly payments and the first quarterly payment thereof to be made at the Expiration of three Calendar Months next after my ....... and a proportional part thereof from the quarterly day providing her ....... ....... to the day of her death for her own sole and separate use and benefit apart from her present and any future husband and so as not to be subject to the ....... debts or Engagements of such husband and the Receipts?? of my said Sister to my Executor shall be sufficient discharges for the said Annuity and as to all the residue and remainder of my real and personal Estates and Effects I give divest and bequeath the same unto my said before named five Children equally between them Share and Share alike and their respective heirs Executors ....... and Assigns according to the nature thereof respectively but it is my express and earnest request to my said five Children that in case my Son Samuel Dando (of whom I have not heard for upwards of four years past) shall happen to be living at my death and shall arrive in England at any time within three years next after then that my said five first named Children do between and amongst them in equal proportions pay unto my said Son Samuel so much Money as shall together amount and be equal to one Sixth part of all the real and personal property which all of them my said five first named Children shall take under this my Will and I do hereby Nominate constitute and appoint my dear friend and partner Mr Thomas Heaven of the said City of Bristol hatmaker to be the Executor of this my Will In witness whereof?? I have hereunto set my hand and Seal the thirteenth day of October in the year of our Lord One thousand Eight hundred and nine. John Dando Signed Sealed?? published and Witnessed?? by the said Testator John Dando as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our Names as Witnesses Tho Heaven James Waters Tho Burfoot

This Will was proved at London on the tenth?? day of February in the year of our Lord One thousand Eight hundred and ten before the Right Hon'ble Sir John Nicholl?? Knight Doctor of Laws Master Keeper?? or Commissary?? of the prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the Oath of Thomas Heaven the sole Executor named in the said Will to whom ....... was granted of all and singular the Goods Chattels and Audits?? of the deceased?? having been?? first sworn?? (by Commission) only to Administer??
Exd

(Note: the Parish of Saint Philip and Jacob was described in the 'County of Gloucester', as opposed to the city of Bristol, because it lay in the out-parish.)

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The Evangelical Magazine printed the following obituary for John in April 1810...

MR. JOHN DANDO

Was the eldest son of the late Mr. John Dando, of Dursley, in Gloucestershire, who was the principal instrument in introducing the gospel into that town; and who, after many years living an ornament to his Christian profession, died somewhat more than 30 years ago, in the full assurance of faith.

Mr. Dando enjoyed the advantages of a religious education. Very early in life he was the subject of many serious impressions; which continued for a considerable time, and were accompanied with a more than ordinary attachment to the people and ways of God. These promising appearances, however, did not continue without interruption. As he grew towards manhood, the propensities of his corrupt nature soon withered these early blossoms, and for some time, youthful folly prevailed above his better judgement, but God, by his special grace, would not permit this indifference to his best interests long to remain; for when he was the age of about 18, he was led, from motives of curiosity, to hear a Mr. Darby preach, who, at that time, was a drummer in the army, but afterwards settled as a preacher at Witney, in Oxfordshire. During the sermon, he became enraptured and almost overwhelmed with the display of God’s boundless love and goodness to sinners, through Jesus Christ. His powers were all absorbed in the contemplation of this blessed theme; and, ere he was aware, his soul became like the chariots of Amminadib. In this delightful frame of mind he continued for some time, ardently longing to be released from his body of sin, and to be admitted into that ineffable state of happiness at which he now had such a delightful foretaste: but, as it is with most in the Christian course, many fears and doubts soon succeeded; together with such a view of the exceeding sinfulness of sin, as at times much dejected him, and rendered him doubtful of his interest in the everlasting covenant. These exercises, however, were abundantly blessed to him, as he was led to form a more proper estimate of the merits of the adorable Redeemer, in whose finished work he was ultimately brought to place the most entire confidence. The eternal Spirit having thus illuminated his mind, every circumstance that tended to debase and humble the sinner and exalt the blessed Saviour, gave him the greatest delight and satisfaction. Many of the energetic discourses of the late venerable George Whitefield were made very useful to him; and he has been heard to express his attachment to that great and good man in the strongest terms.

Mr. Dando was a member of the dissenting congregation, at Rodborough, in Gloucestershire, for upwards of 30 years; and when the Rev. Thomas Adams, who for several years was a faithful and zealous minister at that place, died, he was appointed one of the trustees of the Tabernacle there, with a strict injunction to be watchful against introduction of unscriptural doctrines. During his long residence in this neighbourhood, his friends will, doubtless, recollect with pleasure the many pleasant hours they have spent together, - what sweet counsel they have taken together, as they have gone to and from the house of God! They will also bear in mind the strict integrity, consistent walk, and holy conversation of their departed friend.

After Mr. Dando had lived with his wife more than 30 years, it pleased the Almighty to deprive him of this comfort. Altho’ he was on the whole enabled to bear this great trial with tolerable fortitude, yet, he could not but at times feel considerable depression in the want of her society. However, it was so ordered in the course of Providence, that he should shortly after remove to Bristol with his family, where, as it respected his worldly concerns, it was his lot to move in a more elevated sphere than before; and where he soon after became acquainted with the worthy person who proved to be his second wife; but here the goodness of God towards him was remarkable, for never were two persons united more congenial in sentiment, especially on religious subjects; and few instances have occurred, wherein any two persons have more uniformly studied to render each other happy. She was admirably calculated to render his declining years comfortable; and the consideration of this circumstance would at times almost overwhelm him with gratitude to God for the care of his good providence towards him.

For about 10 years his union with this excellent woman lasted; when it pleased God to deprive him, in a most unexpected manner, of this his greatest earthly blessing. The shock, as might have been expected, was very great; but he was enabled to bear it in a manner beyond the expectation of many. With Christian fortitude he submitted to the bereavement, not doubting his heavenly Father must have had in view the accomplishment of some wise design, probably to raise his affections entirely above the world, and fit him for his own great change, which was so shortly to take place. At the grave, one of his friends told him she believed he would soon follow his beloved wife, although at the time there was no particular indication of his speedy removal. However, such was the event; for in about six months after, he was called to follow her to that bright world where sin and sorrow for ever cease; and thus, like the waters of some ample stream, severed by the piers of a stately bridge, they speedily reunited in ineffable glory!

Although Mr. D. was not favoured with that sudden transition from earth to Heaven, which his dear partner experienced, yet, there was nothing particularly distressing in his last illness. It was happy for him that, when the time of his departure arrived, he had nothing to do but to die; yet, it must be admitted, he had some little dread of the passage through the swellings of Jordan. However, the event proved that his fears were groundless. He did not appear to endure, even in his dying moments, that excruciating torture which falls to the lot of many. The pain of body he felt during his illness he was enabled to bear with patience and resignation to the divine will. His mind was in a great degree tranquil, and his faith fixed on the Rock of Ages. The atonement and the perfect righteousness of the God-man were the foundation of his hopes; and he rested fully on the veracity of that God, who hath said ‘I will never leave thee nor forsake thee!’

A day or two prior to his death, one of his sons, being on the point of commencing one of his regular journies, and impressed with the thought that he should never more behold his dear father in this world, waited on him for the last time. In this interview he was anxious to ascertain the state of his father’s mind; and O! how delightful was it to hear the venerable saint, at the close of such a long Christian course, express his unshaken confidence in God and his faith in the Lord Jesus! ‘Many, many years,’ said he, ‘has it been a matter beyond a question with me, - My perfect salvation through the complete work of my adorable Redeemer. Of my interest in my blessed, blessed Jesus, I have no more doubt than I have of my existence!’ In the most satisfactory manner did he thus express himself, to the no small consolation of his surviving relatives and friends; and thus was he enabled, through divine grace, to triumph in the near approach of his death.

After a short illness, his happy spirit was released from the earthly tabernacle, on the 23rd of November 1809, in the 67th year of his age.

A suitable oration was delivered at the interment, by the Rev. Mr. Sloper; and an interesting sermon was preached at the Tabernacle, Bristol, on the following Sabbath evening, by the Rev. Mr. Tozer, of Taunton.

In the experience of this excellent man, we see exemplified a most important doctrine, namely, ‘the final perseverance of the saints.’ A strong evidence this, that where the great work is begun, it shall be carried on, and finally crowned in eternal glory! This was a doctrine dear to the deceased. It was almost a perpetual subject of rejoicing with him, in the midst of his sharpest trials. He knew that he could not miscarry, because his aid was divine. He had often occasion to lament his inward corruption and deadness; but, not withstanding all his crosses and perplexities, he was enabled to live almost 50 years an ornament to his Christian profession, and at last to finish his course with joy. – May we also die the death of righteousness, and may our last end be like his!

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There is a grave with a plaque in the cemetery at Rodborough Tabernacle. The memorial inscription reads...

IN MEMORY OF
JOHN DANDO who departed this life
the 23rd day of November 1809 in the
66th year of his age.
Also of ANN wife of the above
JOHN DANDO who departed this life
the 4th of December 1797 aged 54 years.
Also Six of their children died as follows.
Stephen January 12th 1769 aged 1 month.
Susanah June 20th 1779 aged 18 months.
Thomas December 15th 1784 aged 10 years.
Susanah February 21st 1786 aged 6 months.
Also Two others who died in their infancy.

Pictures of the grave and plaque are displayed in the 'Photos' section of this web site. Also in the gallery, is a video clip of Rodborough Tabernacle and The Little Chapel.

Although John's name appears on the plaque in Rodborough, he was actually buried in New Yard, Broad Mead Baptist, Bristol, in Mr Shipway's grave where his second wife, Esther (previously Mrs Shipway), was also buried. The register shows...

"1809 Novr 30th John Dando Interr'd in Mr. Shipway's Grave 10s 6d."

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