I also am working on a New DNB entry on Matthew Dobson, M.D. and
wondered if anyone at H-Albion could help clear up a point that has me
confused.
According to my records, Dobson, a Liverpool Unitarian, was a
member of the congregation of the Renshaw Street Unitarian Chapel, which
replaced the earlier Benn's Gardens chapel. The minister, the Rev.
William Enfield was a friend of Dobson's, who contributed a chapter to
Enfield's History of Liverpool.
When I checked the records at the Family History Library
maintained here by the Church of the Latter Day Saints (Mormons), I was
surprised to see the christenings of two of Matthew's children (1764 and
1766), because the source is listed as "Octagon Chapel, Temple Court,
Liverpool." The only Unitarian Octagon Chapel that I know about was
in Norwich, and William Enfield later became the pastor there.
Dobson was practicing medicine in Liverpool at the time. Are
there any Liverpudlians or Unitarians who can help to clear up the case
of the moving chapel? Or point me to some place to look?
Many thanks,
Margaret DeLacy