The name
The name Epworth is of Anglian or Anglo-British origin, first appearing in the Doomsday Book in 1086 as "epeurde". Other variants of the name followed including"Appewrd" and "Epeward" before becoming Epworth. The name is made up of two elements - "Eppe" meaning a side valley and "worth" meaning a farm settlement . However the variant "Appewrd" may indicate a Danish influence - "appe" meaning a bog or swamp.
Another suggestion from A.D. Mills is that the name is Old English meaning "enclosure of a man called Eppa".
More detailed information can be found in:
Colin Ella
Around the Isle of Axholme. 1993.
T.B.F. Eminson
The Place and River Names of the West Riding of Lindsey Lincolnshire. 1934.
A.D. Mills
A Dictionary of English Place Names.
(All available in North Lincolnshire Local Studies Library).
The place
Famous as the birthplace of John and Charles Wesley, Epworth has long been the administrative centre for the Isle of Axholme. In Norman times the Mowbray family were established in Epworth and were the chief landowners in the area. Epworth grew into a thriving market town drawing in trade from the surrounding fertile agricultural land. By the 18th century hemp and flax were being grown locally and Epworth became a centre for the sack and canvas spinning and weaving industries; around the market place many fine buildings grew up which can still be seen today. The church of St Andrew dates from the 12th century and occupies a prominent position within the town.
John Wesley the founder of Methodism was born here in 1703 at the Rectory where his father Samuel was the minister. The original rectory was destroyed by fire in 1709 but a new Queen Anne rectory was built to replace it. The Old Rectory is now a memorial to the Wesley family and attracts visitors from around the world.
The local studies sSection of Scunthorpe library holds a substantial special collection on John Wesley and the history of Methodism which includes biographies, journals, letters, sermons and diaries.