Fox in Wensleydale
The first man that came into these parts to preach the Gospel was that Emenent servant of Christ, George ffox, who, as he passed thorrow Wenslaydale, advised the people, as he met or passed by them, To fear God,1 which, togather with his grave Look or Countenance, did much Alarum the people, it being a time that many people were filled with Zeall; but doss not find that at that time he had any Service at the Steeple-houses or Market-places in the said dale,2 Neither stayed he overnight in that dale that is remembered. But Richard Robinson, of Countersett in Wenslaydale, who was born at Preston, in the said dale, in the year 1628, was the first person that was convinced, and made open proffession of the blessed Truth in those parts …
Submission by Richmond Monthly Meeting edited by Norman Penney in
“The First Publishers of Truth”
(London: Headley Brothers, 1907) 311
1. This echoes Fox's words in the Long Journal: ‘after passt vppe ye dales: warninge people to fear God & declaring his truth to y:m.
2. This directly contradicts Fox's account of his disputation in the market town.