1829. This commodious Chapel was built and opened in 1829. The cost
of the structure and land was £4100, and in 1866 the Chapel was
considerably enlarged and beautified at an additional cost of £2094.
Previous to the erection of this long-needed edifice, this section
of the Wesleyan Congregation worshipped in a small Chapel in Chapel
Street. This zealous body (of New Connexion Wesleyans) has largely
increased of late years. They have also an excellent School in Rose
Hill in connection with their tenets.
Died Nov. 24th, 1829, Mr. Squire Knight, Chemist and Druggist, of this
town, (Aged 87 years.) This was a remarkable self-made man. Born of
poor parents at Coseley in 1742, he succeeded in educating himself
to an eminent degree, and in early life he was a Medical Botanist,
collecting medicinal herbs himself and selling them in the Market Place
on Saturdays. He eventually opened a Druggist's shop in Queen Street,
where he passed a long and eventful life. Mr. Knight belonged to the
Wesleyan Methodists, and became an energetic local preacher. On the
occasion of the Rev. Jno. Wesley, M. A., his brother Charles Wesley,
and a Dr. Patterson's visits in their itinerancy and preachings in the
Black Country to the Collier population, they were joyfully entertained
by Mr. Squire Knight. Mr. Knight was not only a diligent student of
medicines, but he was also an amateur Astronomer, and left behind
him at his death some very carefully prepared observations on the
starry regions. Mr. Knight was both a successful and a benevolent old
townsman, and much esteemed for his uprightness and integrity, and was
followed to the grave by an immense concourse of people.