John Stephenson, An Irish Methodist Missionary, writes in 1804 about his imprisonment in Bermuda

 

But what is the use of British laws if they do not extend to the British dominions.

Throughout recorded history prisoners have scratched their marks into walls and floors, marks which are often enough opaque to our understanding. But the writer of this letter successfully carved a long and unambiguous message into the cedarwood floor of his cell:

JOHN STEPHENSON

METHODIST MISSIONARY

WAS IMPRISONED IN THIS JAIL SIX MONTHS

AND FINED FIFTY POUNDS

FOR PREACHING THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST

TO AFRICAN BLACKS AND CAPTIVE NEGROES

ST GEORGE – BERMUDA

JUNE 1801

In 1799 Stephenson arrived in Bermuda from Ireland as the first permanent Methodist missionary, mandated to preach to those who were enslaved and those generally called “free Blacks and coloureds” but subjected to discriminations. His activities alarmed the local white elites made anxious by the very recent success of Toussaint l’Ouverture’s rebellion in Santo Domingo and the Bermudan parliament (it had one) responded to Stephenson by passing a law which outlawed preaching whether outdoors or indoors by anyone not licensed by the Church of England or Scottish Presbyterian church. Stephenson and an elderly silversmith, Paul Pallais, whose house he used for unsegregated meetings were successfully prosecuted.

Colonial laws could be passed without prior approval from London, not least because long delays in passing letters back and forth could obstruct prompt local action in response to urgent concerns. But they were supposed to be consistent with British law as far as possible and this one wasn’t: nothing that Stephenson was doing would have been unlawful in Britain. Methodist preaching, including outdoor preaching, was perfectly legal nor was there anything unlawful in seeking to abolish slavery or mitigate its effects. The Methodist position on slavery was unambiguous: in 1774 John Wesley had written that "Liberty is the right of every human creature, as soon as he breathes the vital air; and no human law can deprive him of that right which he derives from the law of nature".

Stephenson’s letter indicates that the government in London did reprove the actions of the Bermudan authorities but the usual delays meant that Stephenson served his full sentence. On release he hoped to continue the mission to which he had been appointed but his health had suffered from the incarceration and he returned to Ireland where he was born in 1749 and died there in 1819. This letter is written from the home of a known Methodist family, the Tyrells, who in 1789 had accommodated John Wesley on the last of his twenty-one visits to Ireland.  The long letter ranges over the past and future, offering advice on how a potential new missionary should conduct himself.

The Dr Coke of the letter was a leading Methodist whose energies were directed to spreading Methodism overseas and notably in America. The recipient of the letter, Joseph Butterworth, was a successful publisher of legal textbooks and a Methodist who became a Member of Parliament in 1812 and in 1819 treasurer of the Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society. After Stephenson left in 1802 no Methodist missionary was sent to Bermuda until 1808. There is a passage in the letter which suggests that Stephenson wrote a narrative account of his time in Bermuda; maybe it exists somewhere.

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Transcription (spellings preserved; Bermudas is a common plural form recognising that “The Bermudas” consisted of more than one island)

Addressed to: Mr Joseph Butterworth   No 43 Fleet Street   London

London receiving postmark 4 May 1804

Datelined at the end: Miss Tyrills    Ballyonan Clonard   April 27^th 1804.

My Dr. Brother

This morning came to hand a circular letter to the Methodist Missionaries, in which you desire my opinion of the printed particulars. How can I in any measure Object to such pious and charitable undertakings? May He in whose cause you have so Nobly stepped forward crown all your Efforts with the greatest success, for the furtherance, and extension of your redeemers kingdom, and the salvation of souls.

Nor do I object to the injunctions laid therein, upon the missionaries.

You inform me of Mr Pallais’s address to Dr Coke, requesting a Missionary to be sent to Bermudas, you also want to know who this Mr Pallais is &c.

Mr Pallais is an Englishman, served his apprenticeship in London, to the gold and silversmiths trade, served in His Majesty’s Navy in the time of the America war. When peace was proclaimed Not willing to be under the British Government, settled in Bermudas, when the Malitia were again raised in Bermudas, he enrolled, and on Alarm of the approach of an enemy; he would be the first to turn out in defence of the Island. But for having preaching in his house on the Sabbath evening, was with me, committed to Jail.

In the Jail, to God be the Glory, he was converted. He is an honest man, a gentleman in principle, and zealous for the Glory of God, and salvation of souls. Any confidence may be placed in him.

I have received two letters from him since I arrived in Ireland, begging and requesting that I might use my interest with Dr Coke to send a missionary or two to the island. He not knowing that the Dr wanted no interest to be made with him upon that occasion. I showed the first letter to the Doctor, on which he felt very much. I have received another about 5 weeks since to the same purpose which I am keeping for the Doctors arrival in Ireland which we expect next [Methodist] conference. I answered Mr Pallais’s first letter but I find by his second he never received it.

I was glad to find a man mentioned in the Minutes for Bermudas. He wrote to me from Dover for directions how he was to act in Bermudas. I had little directions to give as I left in the hands of Mr Pallais sufficient directions for any who should follow me. I am glad to find by Mr Pallais’s letter they continue to meet but the preacher I find never went there.

There are a great many serious persons in Bermudas, who wish for the Methodists. There were no less than 4013 pettitioners for liberty of conference against the colonial act [of the Bermudas parliament] on which I was imprisoned: which petition I suppose some of the members of the committee mentioned in this letter have seen.

I had upwards of an hundred names in class. Many of them truly sincere mostly whites near £300 subscribed towards building a preaching house, an acre of ground given free forever for the purpose, another house rented for preaching. In one quarter of a year I had a circuit, without expense for lodging. Before I left the Island I would be near a month getting through my friends. I have no doubt but two Missionaries prudent and devoted men, by the blessing of God, would have 20 or 30 members and the necessity of two is greater than Europians imagine. The Island being small, and the excessive heat, from April to the latter end of September men are not able to labour there as here.

And many of them would contribute to their support. It is true the poor of Bermudas are very poor But shall they not have the Gospel preached unto them?

If the Lord should send any let them not meddle with the slave trade, nor the privateering business. They have come to me to ensnare requesting I might preach upon privateering. I told them I had nothing to do with the law of [word unclear] but be a peaceable subject. But let them “Do unto all, as they would wish others to do to them”. If any should go, they may go by New York – as I would not wish to go with every Bermudas captain though he was just sailing from London. If by New York there they may remain at the superintending Elders, (John Street No. 27) until a vessel is found and they will find friends enough to examine the wharfs, or quays.

But I shall not touch upon the opposition they may meet with. We pettitioned the King after I was imprisoned. But we never received a plain answer. The Duke of Portland and Secretary of State wrote to the Governor that Dr Coke told them I was coming home, and if I was for him to advance to me what cash would be sufficient to defray my expences to Europe. What more was in those letters the Governor would not let me know. But what is the use of British laws if they do not extend to the British dominions. I believe they were reproved for their treatment to me as the Governor seemed quite submissive, and the open persecution stopped. But the Kings Negative [to the locally passed legislation] did not appear.

After some time I received the Doctor’s letters, calling me home, and when the Governor found I was to go he advanced me £80 currency the half of which I gave to Mr Pallais for his damages.

I know the act is expired; but if the King does not set his negative to their persecuting proceedings they will only renew the old act, made for me, and execute it again. I understood the order given to every Governor going to these Islands, “That if he is under the necessity to make a colonial act it must not be against the laws of England, but coincide with it, as much as possible”. But this act was diametrically against the laws of England and I suppose this is what made the doctor say to me that he was wrong that he did not move for this act to be broke by the Parliament as I believe the King never knew anything about it or the petition.

But if neither could be obtained, the Kings negative nor the authority of Parliament, would it not be the better way for a missionary to run the risk of the Jail, once, twice, or repeated times still applying to the King for redress of grievances, as I did, through time they may prevail. Or another method If you could find who is now Governor in Bermudas (for the other’s removed) which you may by John Brickwood Esqr in London, Agent for Bermudas’s perhaps you might find some friends who would write to him to befriend, i.e. to defend the Methodists only according to the British laws. This would be no great request.

If any should go they must have a certificate of ordination, a Pass out of England, as they go out in time of war, and they would be the better for a certificate signed by respectable names of their character, all these were called for from me.

They would require a box of books for sale, awakening and instructing tracts as well some of our defensive pieces. I was sorry I did not bring with me that piece that gives an account of Lord Kenyon’s decision of the persecution, by the Minister and mob. Mr Wesley’s appeals &c &c beside their own. £7 worth.

If any of them should marry, they will get …. for their  ….  and they would do well to have it in the bargain, that their wife must go with them, otherwise they may be detained by the legislative body – there was a man taken out of the vessel I came out in, His wife left ….. They have need to keep at the greatest distance from the black women, as they will strive to draw them into evil. And if they show any particular friendship towards the blacks, the whites will turn their enemies as well slander them. It is the greatest place of slander I ever saw, and the reason, is not only the evil propensity of corrupt nature, but the island is small, and they have not much news so they make the most of what they have.

I would recommend (though they be ordained) not to administer the sacrament when not demanded, at least until they get settled and by no means marry a couple or the [Anglican] clergy will raise the Devil again. They may baptize.

When I mentioned to the Doctor, respecting my case in Bermudas, whether he thought I might have it printed he said he dreaded it would offend government. I am sure it would not, as there is nothing in it would have that tendency. It would cast more light on the Bermudas Business. Mr Myles read it in Bristol at my return [Stephenson’s ship home probably docked there].

I don’t remember at present anything more, But I wish there could be one or two Missionaries sent to Bermudas. They may have this letter if you all think it will be of any use. And if you think of anything that I might inform you of, please to write to me again and if in my power shall cheerfully communicate. I would be glad if the doctor would also see the thoughts I here convey. May the work of the Lord prosper in your hands and crown you all with the riches of divine grace and every blessing in time and Eternity is the prayer of your unworthy but affectionate Brother John Stephenson

Miss Tyrills    Ballyonan   Clonard    April 27^th 1804.

References

G G Findlay and W W Holdsworth The History of the Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society, volume II (1921) has a detailed account of Stephenson’s case in Chapter Seven. Stephenson has no Wikipedia page but for a recent online biographical sketch see Bermudabiographies.bm

 Wikipedia: Thomas Coke (bishop)

Wikipedia: Joseph Butterworth