Poetic Lines to B B Beddome

On 1796 Francis wrote a letter to Benjamin Beddome that ended with these poetic lines

You angry No no your resentment I deem

The sparks that arise from your ardent esteem

Which die in a trice though they bounce as they fly

While Friendship burns constant and never can die

'Tis I at myself should be angry not you

For losing the pleasure I once had in view

Of spending more time with my friend while in town

Which duty prevented and therefore don t frown

Come visit my cot and we ll make up the breach

Forgiveness you practise forgiveness I preach

The company bustle and noise of the town

The free conversation of intimates drown

Calm Horsley not London affords a retreat

Where we our sweet interviews best may repeat

With love to your whole self my service to you

I close my epistle and bid you Adieu.

Letter to Nephew Stephen Davis

Baptist Magazine Vol 16, 1824

Copy of an original Letter from the late Rev. Benjamin Francis, to the Rev. S. Davis of Clonmel, when a Youth of the Age of Twelve Years.

My dear young Nephew,

I take it kind that you have written to me, and am glad you write and spell so well. Be sure to learn the English Grammar, and always endeavour to speak and to write grammatically. Early and constant practice will render speaking, writing, and spelling correctly, easy and familiar to you, which will be very ornamental and commendable. Be determined to be a good English scholar. Read much; think more. You know not as yet of what great future advantage learning may be to you. But learning without virtue will only do you harm; above all things, therefore, seek the grace of God, and the kingdom of heaven. Let your prayer be, “Create in me a clean heart, O God.” Set the Lord always before you, Watch over your thoughts, words, and actions. Abominate hypocrisy, and every secret sin. Cultivate a humble, meek, placid, even, contented, loving, and benevolent disposition of mind, which is both amiable and beneficial. Be always very obedient to your parents. Hate all evil, love all moral good, and Oh! rest not without Christ in you the hope of glory.

You are the descendant of eminently pious ancestors; you are the child of many prayers; Oh be much in secret prayer! I shall rejoice to see you a good, a happy, and a useful member both of civil and religious society. Oh my dear S-, be a son of consolation to your affectionate parents, an honour to your relations, and an ornament to the Christian religion. God bless you with grace and glory!

My dear Stephen,

Your affectionate Uncle,

B Francis

Horseley, March 12, 1796

(Francis had a cousin in the ministry, Abel Francis and his eldest son, Jonathan Francis, was long a faithful minister. His son, Enoch Francis, became pastor of a Baptist church at Exeter. A second son, Nathaniel Francis, a pious and promising youth, died at 18. Two of Abel Francis's daughters were eminent Christians, and in prosperous circumstances. Another daughter married Rev. Stephen Davis, pastor of one of the Baptist churches in Caermarthen, who was also a man of considerable distinction in society as to wealth and influence. His grandson was the above Rev. Stephen Davis of Clonmel, Ireland, a missionary on behalf of the Irish Baptist Society.)

The Salopian Zealot - is it by Benjamin Francis?

There is some debate over the work The Salopian Zealot. A Baptist Quarterly article on the Calendar of Letters collected by Isaac Mann and now in the NLW appears to put the question to rest for good. It says that among the letters is one (34) dated 1786. Oct. 13. It is from BENJAMIN FRANCIS (Horsley) to Rev. L. BUTTERWORTH (Evesham).

It apparently refers to some of his own published works, especially the work mentioned, in its 2nd edn. It also mentions: Mr. Thomas (Pershore) and Mr. Spencer.

Regarding The Salopian Zealot , it was a rhymed skit on Richard De Courcy, vicar of St. Alkmond's, Shrewsbury, who in 1776 had published a letter to Samuel Medley of Liverpool, on his baptising some converts at Shrewsbury. There had been a vigorous pamphlet war, and in 1778 this appeared anonymously. This letter t says is conclusive that the skit was not by John Sandys, as thought by a relative of his, who was followed in "A Baptist Bibliography". It was in fact by Benjamin Francis, as asserted by J. A. Jones in a fourth edition, 1837. Francis, in 1778, was 42 years old, and had been pastor at Horsley, or Shortwood, for 20 years.

Thomas Thomas of Pershore left next year for London (Mill Yard First-day church) where he became joint secretary of' the Baptist Union in 1813. Benjamin Spencer, from the Grafton Street church (letter 19) and Bristol Academy, was; pastor at Alcester, preaching occasionally at Astwood Bank.

Letter from Francis to Sutcliff

This letter was written by Francis while at Northampton, to [John] Sutcliff at Olney in Buckinghamshire. He had arrived in Northampton at about 12 o’clock that day, where he received Sutcliff’s letter of the day before (the 20th). He intended to be with Sutcliff on Thursday the 26th, which left enough time to attend preaching in the morning. He intended to be in Northamptonshire at Kettering and Walgrave, etc over the next week as he had been invited to preach three Sundays in a row at Northampton. His love was to be passed to Mrs Andrews and Sutcliff should tell her that he slept last Tuesday and Wednesday night at good Mr Palmer’s house and all the family were well. The letter was written 21 September, 1793, and can be seen here.

Letter of thanks to the PB Fund 1792 (and 1790)

See here for the image of a one page letter Francis wrote to the fundees of the Particular Baptist Fund in London in 1792. In it he apparently wrote how very grateful hew as for the previous year’s financial assistance and indeed for all their help over the previous thirty-five years. He hopes that in the future, notwithstanding the cost of his preaching the gospel in different places, to be able to support himself and his family without recourse to the fund. It is dated  21 August 1792 .
A very similar letter dated April 9, 1790 can also be found here.