Miss Judith Beresford of Ashbourne~ 1733-1757

As I promised in the last Newsletter in the article on the beginnings of Methodism in 
Ashbourne, here is a little more information on a remarkable young woman who was present at 
that first Methodist preaching in the toll house near Ashbourne. These quotations are 
from John Wesley's Journal and are part of a letter that Judith Beresford wrote, in 
October 1756, to John Johnson, one of Wesley's preachers. They show so clearly the faith 
and motivation of the first generation of Methodists.
"Christmas 1750, I was advised to partake of the Lord's Supper. I knew it was right, but was 
conscious of my ignorance and unfitness for it. About this time there was a great talk of 
Methodism, and a cousin of mine was brought to seek the Lord. I went to visit her in January 
1751, and told her, before I came away, I knew I was not what I ought to be, and should be 
glad to be instructed. From this time we carried on a correspondence, and by degrees light 
broke in upon my heart. In 1753 and 1754 I had great outward afflictions, and at times 
strong inward conflicts. Towards the end of 1754, I began to feel my hope decline; and 
for several nights in secret prayer I was in strong agony of spirit. The Lord, while I was 
upon my knees, stripped off all my fig-Ieaves. At the same time He showed me the 
all-sufficiency of Christ Jesus to save sinners, to save me, the chief; and I was enabled 
to cry out, 'My Lord and my God! I have redemption in Thy blood'. From this happy time 
I went on my way rejoicing, though I was at times grievously assaulted, both by the 
stirrings of my old corruptions, and temptations from the devil.
"In the beginning of the year 1755 we had preaching near Ashbourne. This I had wished for 
long; and now I was honoured with suffering a little for the name of Christ. At first I 
was rather ashamed but the Lord strengthened me; and so great a blessing did I find by 
conversing with these dear people that I feared none of those things which I did or 
might suffer. My acquaintances were now less fond of my company, and they that looked 
upon me shaked their heads." Her health began to fail very soon after this. Johnson writes, 
"When she altered for death, she called for her mother and brothers, to each of whom she 
gave an earnest exhortation. Then she said, 'Now I have no more to do here; I am ready to 
die. Send to Mr. Wesley, and tell him I am sorry I did not sooner believe the doctrine of 
perfect holiness. Blessed be God, I now know it to be the truth!' After greatly rejoicing 
in God for two days more, she said one morning, 'I dreamed last night I heard a voice, 
Christ will come to-day for His bride. It is for me. He will come for me to-day.' And a 
few hours after, without one struggle, or sigh, or groan, she sweetly fell asleep. 
Her eyes were still lifted up to heaven, till her soul was released, with so much ease 
that I did not know when she drew her last breath." Wesley comments, "So died Judith 
Beresford, as it were a hundred years old, at the age of four-and-twenty. a sweet, but 
short lived flower". She was one of our forebears in the faith in Ashbourne, a young lady of 
some fortune, who was not ashamed to be associated with the despised Methodists. 


Trevor Staniforth