Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-02-27
REV. DR.. RIPPON.

REV. DR.. RIPPON.
Most Of our readers are probably we'll ac-
quainted with tho name Of the celebrated cier-
syman whose name is at the head Of this al
,icle. The Doctor has contemplated a work Of
almost urequalled magni,uoe;-a work which
,nu.t be exceedingly interesting.
The Doctor, through lie, has devoted him
self to pisty and philanthrophy-snd as
prsa cher, has maintained degree Of eminence
not always attained. He is Baptist. and the
only one now residing in London, Of that de-
nomination, who bears the title of Doctor Of
Divinity. We copy the memorial. presented
by him to the Right Honorable Anthony
Brown, Lord Mayor of London. because it az
fords suscint account of the magnitude, and
design of the work.
BUNHILL FIELDS BURIAL GROUND.
"Mr Favell claimed the attention Of the
Court for few moments, whilst he presented
. petition, regarding the above sacred and ven-
srablc spot, which was the property Of the
Corporation Of London, and which had now
been, for near two centuries, the depository
for the remains Of all the learned and pious
characters that had departed during that Pc
riod. He might eaumerate many names that
shone conspicuous il religious history, partie-
ulsrly the celebrated John Bunyan; but that
was unnecessary, for the ground was more
particularly rolnarkaole as being the spot
where were inferred the bodies of thousands Of
the unfortunate individual, who suffered by the
dreadful plague Of 1865. The petition he had
to present was from a very venerable Baptist
Minister. the Rev. Dr. John Rippon, the only
one Of that persussan, he believed, bearing
the title Of Doctor now in London. This gen.
tleman was q great scholar. and an antigua
rian Of vast research, and he had, after years
of iabour, completed work Of considerable
magnitude, containing a complete history Of
this interesting spot, with the names, charac-
ters and biogra phicsl sketches Of all the inn
portans persons whose remains had been de-
posted there: in fact it was book that would
prove interesting 10 the country at large; and
all no asked vas permission to dedicate his
work to the Lord Mayor and Corporation Of
London. He would now move that the petit
ton be brought up and read.
The petition was then handed in, and il be-
ing very curious document, we give it verba-
TIM
To the Right Honorable Anthony Brown,
Esq. Lord Mayor, tho Aldermen, and
Commons Of the City Of London, in Com
mon Council assembled:
Tho Memorial Of John Rppon, Of Dover
place, in the New Kent Road, in the Coun-
~ Of Surrey, d. d. F. A. s.
Showeth-That your Memorialist many
years since contemplated writing the History
Of Bunhill Fields Burial Ground, in the City
Road Ian estate which has been for nearly
two centuries in the hands Of the City of Lon
don) and of publishing the same. with the BIZ
Ography Of several hundred of the most emf
nsnt and learned persons who have been in
TERED thore since the year 1865, when the
same was consocrated and "enclosed " with
brick wall, at the sole charge Of the City Of
London, in the Mayorality Of Sir John Law
renee, Knight"
That with view to such object, and par
tioulary in order TO avail himself Of the fullest
means Of research as 20 the families and inter
mcn,s connected with that remstery, your Me-
snorialist first o! all proceeded to obtain a copy
Of the Regiss,r Of Burials from tho time Of its
commencement, in the year 17l8, which your
Memoriaiist was enabled to accomplish under
the friendly auspices and permission Of Mr.
Vim. Mountague, the then Keeper Of such bur-
ial ground. and your Memorialist, with his own
hand, and by the dictation Of his son. Mr.. John
Rippon. then lad, then penned from the said
Register, an Alphabetical and Chronological
Copy Of all BIriais there, and down to tho
year 1890, consisting Of nearly forty thousand
names.
That in furtherance Of such your Memorial
ist's design, he devoted two hslfdays Of time
weekly daring several summers. aided by his
said son and several other persons, in obtain
ing md copying ill the inscriptions then visible
on the several thousands of iombs and monu.
ments pla csd in such ground Tor the accom-
plishment Of which. and in the brushing, wash
ing. cleansing and digging up of many hun
dreds Of them which had either become near
Iy obsole,o or had sunk below the surface OF
tho earth, vast labour and expense were incur
red.
That the only aid which your Memorialists
and his said son have ever obtained in their
research, has been afforded TO them by III,
use Of vsry scarce and small publication Of
inscriptions, printed in I7i7. by Mr., Richard
Rawlinsou, an antiquarian, and by Mr.. John
stype's improved and enlarged edition Of