Flint on the early part of Francis's life

Francis's son-in-law says that Benjamin Francis was the second son of Enoch Francis. He was born in near the midsummer of 1734. His father died when Benjamin was still young, in 1740, and in the following year the young boy began to pray in private and came under conviction of sin.

When he was 15, he and his brother Jonathan were baptised on profession of faith in their native Wales. Both sons followed their father into the ministry, beginning at the age of 19. By this time Francis had moved from the Swansea area to Pontypool. It was the pastor Mr Griffith Davies who enabled him to study at the academy in Bristol. Francis's lack of English was a problem at first and Bernard Foskett was keen for him to return to Wales but his compatriot Hugh Evans pleaded his case and son Francis found himself not only able to express himself in English but to do so with great fluency.

He was in Bristol 1753-1756 receiving a definite call to the ministry from his home church at the end of 1755. At the end of his studies he preached in Chipping Sodbury for a while but was then called to Horsely in 1757. Though the stipend was smaller he felt the call of God to the place and it was there that he spent the rest of his life in ministry.

Francis was ordained on October 12, 1758. John Tommas of Bristol and Hugh Evans preached. Mr [Thomas] Davis of Fairford and Mr [Samuel] Bowen, the previous pastor were also present. Tommas gave the charge, from Colossians 4:17 and Evans addressed the church, from 1 Thessalonians 2:19.

There were only 66 members when Francis came. They were generally poor and the building was ina rather remote place. However, in the first year 13 new members were introduced and in 1760 the building had to be enlarged. Early on he was called to a large London church but declined. This call came from Devonshire Square and was later followed by another from Carter Lane, Southwark, in 1772, after the death of Gill.

The Horsley congregation continued to grow and in 1764 they added a vestry to the meeting house.