John Audland (abt. 1630 - bef. 1664)

Born about 1630 in Camsgill, Kendal, Westmorland, England

Husband of Anne (Newby) Camm — married 1650 in Kendal, Westmorland, England

Died before 24 Mar 1664 before about age 34 in Preston, Westmorland, England

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Biography

John was a Friend (Quaker)

Quaker preacher and member of the Valiant Sixty, John Audland was born about 1630 near Camsgill, Kendal, Westmorland, England.^[1] Little is known of his early life though his wife's second husband, Thomas Camm, stated he was born to parents who were "honest and of good report" and that "this place was possessed by his ancestors long before him."^[2] He lived at Crosslands, Westmorland and was a linen draper by trade. He married Anne Newby of Kendal in 1650^[3] "about the 20th year of his age."^[4]

He was associated with the Westmoreland Seekers and at age 22 in 1652 on a first hearing of George Fox at Firbank Chapel he was "convinced" of his message.^[2][4] At age 23 he became a minister principally preaching in Bristol and the west counties among Baptists and Independents.^[1] His early travel companion was Thomas Airey but after a brief time in Plymouth and London he returned to Bristol with John Camm with whom he travelled many years.^[2] "Many hundreds turned to the Lord through him."^[4]

Camm, Tomkins and Besse^[5] all give various accounts of John Audlands several imprisonments at Bristol, where he refused the oath of allegiance, and at Newcastle. In 1654, with George Fox, John Camm, Edward Burrough and James Naylor, he was apprehended as a Franciscan friar following complaints by priests and the involvement of the magistrates and mayor, for "their preaching was like that of the Apostles."^[5] George Fox mentions Audland multiple times in his Journal.^[6]

His wife Anne (Newby) Audland Camm described him as 'unspeakably loving and tenderly affectionate', as one who was 'always ready to lend a helping hand to the weak and needy, open hearted, free and near to his friends, deep in the understanding of heavenly mysteries'.^[2] The Quaker Charles Marshall wrote of him,'a sweet ruddy and amiable countenance, and of a cheerful spirit; one of the wise in heart', who was so imbued with the spirit 'that immortality shined in his face, and his voice was as thunder'.^[2]

Of the numerous tracts written by Audland, those in answer to Quaker critics are generally thought to be the most imporantant and include "The Innocent Delivered out of the Snare" and "The School Master Undisciplined," Early English Books Online, both written in 1655.

He passed away in early 1664 and was buried 24 Mar 1664 at the Quaker burial ground of Birkrigg Park, Westmorland.^[1][7] His wife Anne wrote that he succumbed to a violent cough.^[2] Shortly after John's death, Anne gave birth to their son, John Audland.

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5} Camm, John, The memory of the righteous revived:..., London, Andrew Sowle, 1689, unnumbered pages.
3. ↑ Peters, Kate, Print Culture and the Early Quakers, Cambridge Univ Press, 2005, p 137
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2} John Tomkins, Piety promoted, in a collection of dying sayings of many of the people called Quakers : with a brief account of some of their labours in the Gospel, and sufferings for the same (ed. Evans, William, 1787-1867., Evans, Thomas, 1798-1868., Townsend, William P, Townsend, Anna Mary), Philadelphia, 1721, Vol I:55-57
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1} Besse, Joseph, A collection of the sufferings of the people called Quakers, London, Hinde, 1753 Vol I:39
6. ↑ Fox, George, The Journal of George Fox, reprint, University Press, 1952.[1]
7. ↑ General Register Office: Society of Friends' Registers, Notes and Certificates of Births, Marriages and Burials. Records of the General Register Office, Government Social Survey Department, and Office of Population Censuses and Surveys, RG 6. The National Archives, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, England. Piece 1246: Quarterly Meeting of Westmorland (1649-1778); and Piece 1568: Monthly Meeting of Kendal: Register Book for Preston to 1681