The Rev.Richard Knill- a little known worthy of Braunton

By-Barrie Kissack Email:  bkiss@Kissack.org.uk

 After completing our family tree it seemed only natural, as we were living in an old cottage to turn our attention to its history. During our researches we came across the Rev. Richard Knill of St. Petersburg, a non- conformist minister.

Richard Knill was born in 1787 and christened at St Brannocks. He was the fourth child of Richard Knill, a carpenter/businessman and his wife Mary. The gravestones of Richard and Mary can be seen just inside the Church Street entrance to St.Brannocks. They both died in 1832.It is difficult to be definitive about which house the Rev. Richard Knill was born in but as his father was a carpenter and prior to being a saddlers, our garage was a carpenters workshop it is very likely it was in our house. An old map of Church Street found in the museum suggests the Old Saddlers as being the most likely place.

In his younger years Richard enjoyed a riotous time, culminating in 1804 in him enlisting as a soldier. This he regretted and was shortly afterwards bought out by his friends. At this time, back in Braunton, he was given a room in the home of a “Mr Evans” under whose influence he became interested in the church.

In 1812, after hearing a sermon by Dr. Alexander Waugh he volunteered for missionary work. He was accepted by the London Missionary Society and in 1816, after undergoing training at Axminster Academy, embarked for Madras.

In Madras he gave services to soldiers, children and residents. Unfortunately his health failed and after suffering from cholera in 1819 he returned to England.

A cold climate was recommended and in 1820 he was sent to St. Petersburg, intending to proceed to Siberia as a missionary. However he was persuaded by the British and American residents to stay in St.Petersburg, which he did. He was successful and gained the support of the Emperor and royal family.

He opened a school for the children of foreigners and a mission for sailors was established, in 1822 he returned to England to raise funds to erect a larger church.His fund raising was so successful that he was asked by the LMS to stay in England and raise funds at home. For the next 8 years he visited every corner of the United Kingdom on their behalf.

Finally, in 1843 tired from his labours, he settled down in Wotton-under-Edge as a Congregational Minister. Here he remained until he was transferred to Chester in 1848.

In Chester he inherited a debt ridden church and, despite supposedly retiring was at his most successful.

It was said that few men had greater mastery over an assembly of men.The Rev. Richard Knill died in Chester on 2^nd January 1857. He left a wife and 5 children. When he died such was his popularity that everyone in Chester stopped work to mourn his passing.Such was his influence on the City of Chester that in 1957 they held a centenary in his honour. Yet in North Devon he is virtually unknown.

References:          The National Bibliography

                                The Life of the Rev. Richard Knill of St. Petersburg - by C.M.Birrell                                                         (Copy in Barnstaple Library)

Books by Richard Knill:

                                The Farmer and his family

                                Memoir of the life and Character of W Venning

                                The influence of pious women in promoting  the revival of religion

                                Some accounts of John Knill

                                The happy death bed.

                                A Traveller arrives at the end of his journey

                                A dialogue between R Knill and a catholic priest.

                                A Scotsman abroad.