Winteringham Local History and Genealogy at winteringham.info

Thomas Adam was born in Leeds in 1701, educated at Cambridge and Oxford before coming to Winteringham in 1726.  He had been presented with the living at Winteringham two years earlier but because of his age at that time (23) he had to wait for two years before taking it up.  He was instituted to the Rectory of Winteringham on May 11th 1726, and was inducted on July 6th by Rev Patteson, Rector of West Halton. This information is extracted from the Parish Registers, kindly transcribed by Kay Ashberry and Val Peill.  A further note states that Mr Fosse succeeded Mr Sye in the Rectory of Winteringham.  This may be to clarify the issue alluded to above - and that Mr Fosse, who is named on the list of Rectors in the Church, ‘covered’ for Thomas Adam from 1723-1726.

He was greatly admired for his reputation as a scholar and he wrote many books, some of which are still available in print, and also still on the recommended reading lists of some relgious organisations.  He remained in Winteringham, despite chances to advance his career. He knew John Wesley, and also helped out at South Ferriby.

His diary gives a fascinating view of Winteringham during the 18th century.

He was very pious, and was benevolent to the poor. His was “Adam’s Gift” - a bequest that he initiated on 18th August 1877 when he transferred several bonds of £50 each secured on the tolls of the Ancholme Drainage, with the interest to be used for the deserving poor of the parish who were not in receipt of parochial relief. His gift survives to this day, albeit, since 1980, as part of the “Winteringham Relief in Need Charity”

Two of the current five bells are dedicated to Thomas Adam.

He died at Winteringham on March 31st 1784, and is buried in the Churchyard.

In his book “A Guide to Winteringham” (1912) C E Trimmer gives the following information:

“With regard to Gate End one can gain interesting information as to the condition of the Village 160 years ago by reading the ' Church of England Magazine dated 27th October, 1838." Therein is to be found an article relating to the Revd. Thomas Adam, B.A., Rector of Winteringham - it appears that in 1753 the Rev. W. Adam published his " Practical Lectures on the Church Catechism " and referred to Winteringham as follows :-
' In the spring of the year, cock-fighting was not an unusual amusement even on a Sunday afternoon. I used frequently to surprise these disorderly assemblies, which included farmers and tradesmen as well as labourers......... About half a mile from the Church and Parsonage, where the principal street divides the High from the Low Borough is a space called the Gate End, notorious as a rendezvous for the idle and profligate This spot commanded a fine view of the Yorkshire Hills, the Humber, the Haven, and Ferryboats. Here a scene of riot and blasphemy, of games, wrestling and fighting was frequently exhibited. Few persons and especially strangers could pass without annoyance..... ... Intoxication was the prevailing vice of the inhabitants. The Parishioners had right of common pasture over extensive meadows, and upland grounds for hay. On May Day the common pasture called the Marsh was stocked with horses, cows, and other cattle. On this occasion it was usual to have bull-fighting, and the worst passions of the owners were stirred up."

“The Revd. Thomas Adam, before mentioned, became Rector of Winteringham in 1724, he was eminent for his piety and unwearied benevolence to the poor. His name will long be honoured in the Church of England as the Author of "Private Thoughts on Religion" and an Exposition of St. Matthew and the other three Gospels. He was Rector of Winteringham for 60 years, namely until 1784 and was on friendly terms with the Rev. John Wesley, the founder of the Wesleyan Church, and they often corresponded. The Revd. Thos. Adam was aged 83 at the time of his death (March 31st, 1784).”

His books:

Practical Lectures on the Church Catechism (of which several editions were printed, including): C Hitch & L Hawes, in 1755, London

Paraphrase and Annotations of the Four Gospels (1837), London - sold at that time for 4 shillings and sixpence, in 2 Volumes, size 8vo.  Charles Spurgeon commented on Adam’s paraphrase of Romans I to XI “A poor paraphrase; very correct and evangelical, but thin as Adam’s ale.  We are disappointed, for the “Private Thoughts” of the same author are highly esteemed.”

“Private Thoughts on Religion” is still on sale! Here, for instance is one place where it may be bought!

Private Thoughts on Religion was frequently reprinted and translated into many languages.  The copy owned by Coleridge is much marked and is held in the British Museum.