People of Note
Rev. Joseph Gilbert
Rev. Joseph Gilbert was born at Wrangle Lincolnshire on the 20th of March, 1779. He was apprenticed at Burgh, his master keeping a general shop, where it is said he was diligent in business, yet found time for study. He became a member of a debating society, and was regarded as the most talented among them. Whilst at Burgh he became acquainted with his first wife, Miss Sarah Chapman, the daughter of a surgeon in practice in the area. On the termination of his apprenticeship, he engaged himself as an assistant in a business at East Retford in Nottinghamshire, after a short time, he became a partner, and soon afterwards purchased the business. He married in May 1800.
While at Retford he associated with a small body of Congregational Dissenters. He relinquished his business at Retford towards the close of 1806, and entered upon a course of study at the College at Rotherham, under the celebrated Dr. Edward Williams, where, in 1808, he published a volume of Eight Letters on the Origin of Evil. At the close of his academical pursuits, he commenced his pastoral duties at Southend in Essex. Eighteen months later he returned to Rotherham, to take the office of Classical Tutor to the College.
Soon after his return, he suddenly lost his wife; described as a woman whose mental capacity was large and her heart kindly. Her judgment was penetrating, and her religious opinions clear and stable. Mr. Gilbert was much indebted to the counsels of her wisdom and the persuasions of her piety.
Rev. Gilbert was ordained to the pastorship of the Nether Chapel in Sheffield on the 8th of December, 1813, a position which he held in conjunction with his professorship at Rotherham. In the same month, he married Anne, eldest daughter of the Rev. Isaac Taylor of Ongar. She will be chiefly remembered as writer of childrens books . Ann also wrote literary reviews for the Eclectic Review.
He left Rotherham in 1817, to succeed Rev. G. Lambert of Hull at the Fish Street Chapel. Illness in 1824 compelled him to seek relief in less onerous duties. He accepted a call to Nottingham in 1826, and continued pastor of the Independent Church in Friar Lane there, until his death, on the 12th of December, 1852, at the age of 74. He left a widow and a large family of sons and daughters.
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