About 1720, the Society of Friends (the Quakers) gathered together the stories of their early struggles against hostile authorities and the established church. These stories, under the title "The First Publishers of Truth", were printed in 1907, edited by Norman Penney. [Cumbrian section available at Carlisle Record Office, under the title "Early Quakers in the North"]

Here's the legend of how the Truth came to Eskdale.

"William Wilson, of Longdale Chapel Steel (as Accountt is given), was the firstt who bore a publick Testimony to the Truth & Day of the Lord att Eshdale, where he spoke to the People att their publick Place of Worship, and exhorted them to mind thatt of God in their Consciences, and turn to that holy Lightt & Law which hee had putt in their Inward parts, thatt by the same they might come to know the Will of God and doe itt; for declareing of which hee suffer'd by one Priestt Parker, who in cruel rage did beatt & wound him with one of his Crutches, untill the Blood run down his Shoulders. The Priestt being lame, and nott able as he would to effect his purpose, Caused his horse to be brought, on which hee Mounted, and in the sight of the People hee broke his staff in three pieces on William's bare head, which made the People Cry outt against his Merciless Work. Butt before the Priestt gott home hee was struck with sickness, that hee never came more to the Steeple House, and dureing the Time of his sickness hee was loathsom & stinking above ground, and soe the Wicked Priestt dyed. Wm. Willson came again afterwards, and visited the People aboutt Eshdale, for which he mett with great suffering by another Priest att thatt Place.
A Meeting was setled thereaway in early Days, call'd Birkerah Meeting, which yett Continues there. Edward Tyson & James Stenton were the first who Received Truth thereaway, and Suffered for the same; and the Meeting was keptt att Edwards House for many years, and is yett keptt there to this Day."

The Langdale entry explains that William Wilson, tailor of Chapel Stile, was "early Called into the worke of the Ministry, and ffaithfully travelled & laboured therein to the end of his days In many parts of this nation & in Scotland, Ireland & Holland." He died in Langdale after falling ill at the annual meeting in London, and was buried on 11/5/1682. RETURN TO STORY

According to the parish register, John Parker, minister, was buried at St. Catherine's on 12 Feb 1659 (1658 by the old reckoning). Intriguingly, John Staintone, "quaker" was buried there soon afterwards, on 30 Mar 1659.