Shep's Place Family Tree

John Ash studied at the Bristol Baptist Academy under the Rev. Bernard Foskett. Dr. Ash was a Baptist minister in Pershore from 1748 until his death.

From "The Baptist Quarterly," Vol. XX No. 1, January, 1963, "The Reverend John Ash, Ll.D. 1724-1779" by G. H. Taylor:

John's wife was a woman of some means. "Elizabeth...was a comparatively wealthy young woman with good connections and could probably have married into a higher and more secure station, yet she was willing to accept a young, unknown Baptist minister of humble origin and settle down in the Pershore manse among the very people who had known her most of her life. It says much for their determination and mutual affection." ‎(p. 8)‎

The Pershore Baptist church began in 1658. Pershore's population in the 18th C. was about 2,500 people.

‎(Ibid. p. 10)‎ "From his own will of 1779 we learn that John Ash kept a shop but tantalisingly he does not say what it was. He directs that "the said Trade of Business be carried on in the Firm of Mrs. Ash and Company and as near as consistent in the manner that it now is." It is evident that Ash had a high regard for his wife's ability and she may have been helping to look after the shop for some time before his death."

"The will also reveals that Ash owned and occupied his own house, since he bequeathed to his "beloved wife" and "dear daughter," Eliza, "all those two Messuages and Tennaments in Pershore afores'd which I lately purchased of Mr. John Sitch the Elder and Mr. John Sitch the Younger." Later he refers to his property as that "which I do now occupy."

‎(Ibid. p. 11)‎
"To his contemporaries Ash was best known as a scholar whose particular interest was in philology and education...It was not until 1763, however, that his first book appeared. This was his "Grammatical Institutes, or any easy Introduction to Dr. Lowth's English Grammar," which seems to have been an instant success for it ran to thirteen editions. There followed in 1775 Ash's magnum opus, "The New and Complete Dictionary of the English Language" in two volumes and including a "comprehensive Grammar." A second edition was published in 1795. The Dictionary was quickly followed by another two-volume work in 1777, "Sentiments on Education." This is a collection of various authors' views about a wide range of subjects, including, appropriately enough, public speaking. In its obituary to Ash in 1779, "The Gentleman's Magazine," praised this last work as one "in which the outlines of a good education are traced with a masterly hand."

"Ash must have won his reputation fairly early since he was awarded a Doctorate of Laws by a Scottish University in 1774, the year before his Dictionary was published. " ‎[Dr. Samuel Johnson's famous dictionary was published in 1775.]‎

‎(Ibid. p. 14)‎ "...one of John Ash's greatest contributions to Baptist life was the production of the Collection of Hymns in collaboration with Caleb Evans ‎[1737-1791, son of John's teacher Hugh Evans]‎. The preface is dated Bristol, September 27, 1769. Both Ash and Evans were interested in poetry and belonged to the same private group of verse-writing friends which included Anne Steele, who adopted the nom de plume "Theodosia" whilst Ash favoured the disguise of "Eusebius."

Ash died aged 55 years. He made his will only two days before his death ‎(Ibid.p.18)‎: "...Ash took the unusual step of making his wife and eldest daughter, Eliza, the executrices of his will, which was an eloquent compliment to their ability and good sense in what was very much a man's world. His son, Samuel, presumably the eldest boy, was perhaps married or otherwise independent, for he was to receive nothing immediately, but on his mother's decease the houses were to be his. The shop was to be kept in business for Joseph who was under age. For the rest, "the whole of my Effects not before disposed of my Stock in Trade Book Debts Household Furniture Chyna Plate Linnen and whatsoever I am possessed of" were to be equally divided between his wife, four daughters and son, Joseph. Elizabeth Ash survived her husband by several years for it is known that she lived once again in one of the Rickards' houses in the High Street from 1785 to 1788."

"We shall best honour him as an honest, educated, well-loved Baptist minister who fully merited the tribute of his friend, Caleb Evans, "A man of a clearer head, a sounder heart, or of more amiable, steady, happy temper the world hath seldom seen."

THE REVEREND JOHN ASH LLD.

He lived highly esteemed and honoured by the World
For his great Abilities and learned Publications
Justly beloved by all that knew him for his
Integrity Piety Benevolence
And many other Virtues
Peculiarly endeared to the Christian society of this Place
In the Character of a faithful and affectionate Pastor
For more than twenty eight Years.
He died in the Meridian of his Fame
And usefulness both as an Author and a Minister
On the 10th Day of April 1799
Aged 55
Deeply Lamented.
To perpetuate the Remembrance of the many Excellencies
Of so great and good a Man
His much afflicted Congregation
Have here placed this humble Monument
Sorrowing . . . that in this World
They shall see him no more.