Extracts from the diary of the Reverend John Reynolds

Diary extracts date from the first meetings of ministers led by Mr Bogue in 1794, which discussed the formation of a new misionary society. They end in 1800, and thus cover the first few years of what was to become the London Missionary Society.

Rev John Reynolds was the minister of Camomile Street Independent Church, London, and was one of the first Directors of the Missionary Society (later the London Missionary Society). He was present at the very early meetings held to discuss the formation of a new missionary society, in 1794. He is listed amongst the first Board of Directors, which comprised 20 ministers and 14 laymen. He was also present at the service held to send off the Duff, on the Society's first missionary voyage to the South Seas in 1796.

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The original diary was in the possession of a great gandson of Rev John Reynolds (R. C. Reynolds), until his death in 1952. Notes on the envelope of the typescript diary suggest subsequent arrangements re the original in the will of R. C. Reynolds.