The Minor Family of Somerset

"He would often wish I might be as good a man as my grandfathe
r Booth. He was uncle to Mr. Robert Booth, that holy man of Go
d that was so long a time preacher at Sowerby bridge, and afterw
ards at Halifax. He had his education with my grandfather Booth
, and lived with him some time after he came from the University
.
I sHall relate a short story concerning my grandfather Booth.
InDr. Favour's time, he being a vicar of Halifax, there cam
e a wandering clergyman to the doctor who wanted a place. Illin
gworth being then destitute, hesent him thither to preach, an
d would have the people to receive him as theirminister. My gr
andfather sent to the doctor to desire him to give them leave t
o make a choice of one themselves; when he would not be persuade
d, he spoke to the doctor after this manner: "Sir, I charge yo
u here, in the presenceof God, as you will answer it in the da
y of judgement, for those souls at Illingworth that may perish e
ternally for want of a godly minister, and the faithful preachin
g of the word amongst us, that you do not impose this man uponu
s." At which words the good Dr. Favour did desist, and said the
y should have their own choise of a minister. I have heard my u
ncle Francis say that Dr. Favour said he never met with such a m
an as that John Booth in all his life; but I sHall endeavour no
t to enlarge, but to contract that I have to say.
page 16
"This John Booth, my grandfather by my mother's side, was a ver
y eminent Christian, one of the holiest of that time and age i
n which he lived.My master, James Jowet, in his younger years
, taught school near Illingworth,afterwards, in his old age, ne
ar RipPonden, with whom I got that little learning I have. He w
ould often wish I might be as good a man as my grandfatherBooth
. He was uncle to Mr. Robert Booth, that holy man of God that w
as solong a time preacher at Sowerby bridge, and afterwards a
t Halifax."
from "Vicar Favour and his Times
1610, May 11, John Booth, Ovede, vir valde religiousus et interg
errim vitae
The uncle of Michael Bairstow, just named; and brother of the re
v. George Booth beforementioned. His will was made 2nd May, pro
ved 4th October 1610; and his two children named were Mary and E
lizabeth. The latter afterwards married Joseph Priestley of Goo
dgreave; who died a prisoner in Halifax, during its occupation b
y the Royalist forces, and was buried near the font in the Brear
cliffe grave.