In Oakington, close to the churchyard, is a private burial ground containing the graves of three vicars who later became known as the Oakington Martyrs. The site is preserved today as a memorial to non-conformist Protestantism.
In the 17th century various non-conformist sects, including Baptist, Methodists, Congregationalists, started to become established in England. Their practices failed to conform to the Church of England’s doctrine and hence these groups became labelled ‘non-conformist’. In order to suppress Non-conformism an Act of Uniformity was passed in 1662 whereby vicars had to swear allegiance to the Church of England and only preach in the latter’s churches. If vicars did not take the oath and thus dissented they were ejected from their livings and had to preach in the open, relying on hand-outs from their supporters for their survival. They were constantly persecuted and often imprisoned by the establishment.
In Cambridgeshire the village of Oakington was an early hot-bed of dissent, to the extent that the bishop considered it to be the most scandalous and vile parish in his diocese in 1685. In 1672 two houses had been licensed for dissenting worship there, probably by Quakers and Independents. In addition these two sects had each established a distinct burial ground in the village around that time. The one nearer the churchyard had been purchased by the Reverend Francis Holcroft for the Independents. Followers of this sect often chose to be buried there as it was considered to be ‘more sanctified ground’, even if they lived elsewhere.
The Reverends Francis Holcroft and Joseph Oddy were 17th century pioneers of the non-conformist movement, and known as the ‘Apostles of Cambridgeshire’. It was by their heroic zeal that various non-conformist churches were established in Cambridgeshire. Although originating from other villages, they were active in Oakington and buried in the Independent burial ground there along with their colleague from the next generation, the Reverend Henry Osland. Ejected from their livings, persecuted and imprisoned for propagating their faith during their lives they became known as the ‘Oakington Martyrs’ in death.
The Independent burial ground in Oakington was in the hands of trustees in the 1830s. Later accessed by a public footpath it is preserved today as a memorial to the three martyrs and to Non-conformity.
(Text Courtesy of LDHS , with thanks )
HENRY OSLAND
was Probably the son of his namesake, and born at Bewdley in Worcestershire. Preached at Willingham and Cottenham. 1694 -formed a Congregational church at Cottenham and was its Pastor.
1711- Died on 19 November at the age of 43, and buried at Oakington.
In the 17th century various non-conformist sects, including Baptist, Methodists, Congregationalists, started to become established in England. Their practices failed to conform to the Church of England’s doctrine and hence these groups became labelled ‘non-conformist’. In order to suppress Non-conformism an Act of Uniformity was passed in 1662 whereby vicars had to swear allegiance to the Church of England and only preach in the latter’s churches. If vicars did not take the oath and thus dissented they were ejected from their livings and had to preach in the open, relying on hand-outs from their supporters for their survival. They were constantly persecuted and often imprisoned by the establishment.
In Cambridgeshire the village of Oakington was an early hot-bed of dissent, to the extent that the bishop considered it to be the most scandalous and vile parish in his diocese in 1685. In 1672 two houses had been licensed for dissenting worship there, probably by Quakers and Independents. In addition these two sects had each established a distinct burial ground in the village around that time. The one nearer the churchyard had been purchased by the Reverend Francis Holcroft for the Independents. Followers of this sect often chose to be buried there as it was considered to be ‘more sanctified ground’, even if they lived elsewhere.
The Reverends Francis Holcroft and Joseph Oddy were 17th century pioneers of the non-conformist movement, and known as the ‘Apostles of Cambridgeshire’. It was by their heroic zeal that various non-conformist churches were established in Cambridgeshire. Although originating from other villages, they were active in Oakington and buried in the Independent burial ground there along with their colleague from the next generation, the Reverend Henry Osland. Ejected from their livings, persecuted and imprisoned for propagating their faith during their lives they became known as the ‘Oakington Martyrs’ in death.
The Independent burial ground in Oakington was in the hands of trustees in the 1830s. Later accessed by a public footpath it is preserved today as a memorial to the three martyrs and to Non-conformity.
(Text Courtesy of LDHS , with thanks )
HENRY OSLAND
was Probably the son of his namesake, and born at Bewdley in Worcestershire. Preached at Willingham and Cottenham. 1694 -formed a Congregational church at Cottenham and was its Pastor.
1711- Died on 19 November at the age of 43, and buried at Oakington.
In Oakington, close to the churchyard, is a private burial ground containing the graves of three vicars who later became known as the Oakington Martyrs. The site is preserved today as a memorial to non-conformist Protestantism.
In the 17th century various non-conformist sects, including Baptist, Methodists, Congregationalists, started to become established in England. Their practices failed to conform to the Church of England’s doctrine and hence these groups became labelled ‘non-conformist’. In order to suppress Non-conformism an Act of Uniformity was passed in 1662 whereby vicars had to swear allegiance to the Church of England and only preach in the latter’s churches. If vicars did not take the oath and thus dissented they were ejected from their livings and had to preach in the open, relying on hand-outs from their supporters for their survival. They were constantly persecuted and often imprisoned by the establishment.
In Cambridgeshire the village of Oakington was an early hot-bed of dissent, to the extent that the bishop considered it to be the most scandalous and vile parish in his diocese in 1685. In 1672 two houses had been licensed for dissenting worship there, probably by Quakers and Independents. In addition these two sects had each established a distinct burial ground in the village around that time. The one nearer the churchyard had been purchased by the Reverend Francis Holcroft for the Independents. Followers of this sect often chose to be buried there as it was considered to be ‘more sanctified ground’, even if they lived elsewhere.
The Reverends Francis Holcroft and Joseph Oddy were 17th century pioneers of the non-conformist movement, and known as the ‘Apostles of Cambridgeshire’. It was by their heroic zeal that various non-conformist churches were established in Cambridgeshire. Although originating from other villages, they were active in Oakington and buried in the Independent burial ground there along with their colleague from the next generation, the Reverend Henry Osland. Ejected from their livings, persecuted and imprisoned for propagating their faith during their lives they became known as the ‘Oakington Martyrs’ in death.
The Independent burial ground in Oakington was in the hands of trustees in the 1830s. Later accessed by a public footpath it is preserved today as a memorial to the three martyrs and to Non-conformity.
(Text Courtesy of LDHS , with thanks )
HENRY OSLAND
was Probably the son of his namesake, and born at Bewdley in Worcestershire. Preached at Willingham and Cottenham. 1694 -formed a Congregational church at Cottenham and was its Pastor.
1711- Died on 19 November at the age of 43, and buried at Oakington.
In the 17th century various non-conformist sects, including Baptist, Methodists, Congregationalists, started to become established in England. Their practices failed to conform to the Church of England’s doctrine and hence these groups became labelled ‘non-conformist’. In order to suppress Non-conformism an Act of Uniformity was passed in 1662 whereby vicars had to swear allegiance to the Church of England and only preach in the latter’s churches. If vicars did not take the oath and thus dissented they were ejected from their livings and had to preach in the open, relying on hand-outs from their supporters for their survival. They were constantly persecuted and often imprisoned by the establishment.
In Cambridgeshire the village of Oakington was an early hot-bed of dissent, to the extent that the bishop considered it to be the most scandalous and vile parish in his diocese in 1685. In 1672 two houses had been licensed for dissenting worship there, probably by Quakers and Independents. In addition these two sects had each established a distinct burial ground in the village around that time. The one nearer the churchyard had been purchased by the Reverend Francis Holcroft for the Independents. Followers of this sect often chose to be buried there as it was considered to be ‘more sanctified ground’, even if they lived elsewhere.
The Reverends Francis Holcroft and Joseph Oddy were 17th century pioneers of the non-conformist movement, and known as the ‘Apostles of Cambridgeshire’. It was by their heroic zeal that various non-conformist churches were established in Cambridgeshire. Although originating from other villages, they were active in Oakington and buried in the Independent burial ground there along with their colleague from the next generation, the Reverend Henry Osland. Ejected from their livings, persecuted and imprisoned for propagating their faith during their lives they became known as the ‘Oakington Martyrs’ in death.
The Independent burial ground in Oakington was in the hands of trustees in the 1830s. Later accessed by a public footpath it is preserved today as a memorial to the three martyrs and to Non-conformity.
(Text Courtesy of LDHS , with thanks )
HENRY OSLAND
was Probably the son of his namesake, and born at Bewdley in Worcestershire. Preached at Willingham and Cottenham. 1694 -formed a Congregational church at Cottenham and was its Pastor.
1711- Died on 19 November at the age of 43, and buried at Oakington.
Inscription
“Here lyeth the body of Mr Henry Osland, Minister of the Gospel, who after 17 years faithfull dispensation of the same in Ye Church gathred at Willingham and Cottenham ended this life November Ye 19th Anno Dom. 1711, in Ye 43 year of his age.”
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