Wandsworth

Wandsworth a large village of England, county of Surrey, on the Wandle, near its mouth in the Thames, five miles south-west of St. Paul's, and now included in the city of London; noted as being the seat of the first Presbyterian Church and the first presbytery. In 1572 the first presbytery was organized secretly. The members were Mr. Field, lecturer of Wandsworth; Mr. Smith, of Mitcham; Mr. Crane, of Roehampton; Messrs. Wilcox, Standen, Jackson, Bonham, Saintloe, and Edmonds; and afterwards Messrs. Travers, Clarke, Barber, Gardiner, Crook, Egerton, and a number of very influential laymen. Eleven elders were chosen, and their duties described in a register entitled The Orders of Wandsworth. SEE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES.