Joseph Swain

SWAIN, Joseph. b. Birmingham, 1761; d. London, 16 April 1796. His parents died when he was very young, and he was apprenticed to an engraver in Birmingham, completing his training in London, where he had gone to live with his brother. In 1782 he ‘came under the conviction of sin’ (ODNB) and was baptized in 1783 by John Rippon*. In 1792 he became minister of East Street Baptist Chapel, Walworth, South London: in spite of a split in the congregation between Strict and Particular Baptists and others, the numbers of Strict Baptists under Swain grew remarkably during his short ministry, and the church building had to be enlarged. He died tragically young: a funeral sermon was preached by Job...