from St Peter's Church History:

An effort was now made to obtain a regular minister, and through the influence of Rev George Ross, Rev William Beckett came as a missionary under the auspices of the "Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts," of London, to take up this work. He selected Lewes as a central point from which to carry on his operations, locating here in September 1721.

Taking what means had already been gathered, he immediately commenced to build a church, and a year later he reported to his society: "The frame of our church was raised on a high bank in the centre of our town on the 6th October last, and we hope to finish it the next summer. The other two churches we have raised at distant places. We intend to fit them up with all convenient speed." The two churches here mentioned were St Matthew's, in Cedar Creek Hundred, and the first St George's Chapel, in Indian River Hundred, which also belonged to the parish created by Rev Beckett. On the 19th of May, 1724, he wrote to his society that not one of his three churches "will contain the bearer that constantly attend Divine Services." In 1728 he built "a fourth church in the middle of a forest, by the name of "St John Baptist" and there is likely to be a numerous congregation there."

The interest in his preaching in all those churches continued, and in his last letter, September 26, 1742, he says "the four churches are filled on Sundays, and I am often obliged in summer to preach under the trees, since the houses are too small to hold all who come to hear." Rev Beckett died August 20, 1743, and was buried in the grave yard of St Peter's Church at Lewes.

from St Peter's Church History:

An effort was now made to obtain a regular minister, and through the influence of Rev George Ross, Rev William Beckett came as a missionary under the auspices of the "Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts," of London, to take up this work. He selected Lewes as a central point from which to carry on his operations, locating here in September 1721.

Taking what means had already been gathered, he immediately commenced to build a church, and a year later he reported to his society: "The frame of our church was raised on a high bank in the centre of our town on the 6th October last, and we hope to finish it the next summer. The other two churches we have raised at distant places. We intend to fit them up with all convenient speed." The two churches here mentioned were St Matthew's, in Cedar Creek Hundred, and the first St George's Chapel, in Indian River Hundred, which also belonged to the parish created by Rev Beckett. On the 19th of May, 1724, he wrote to his society that not one of his three churches "will contain the bearer that constantly attend Divine Services." In 1728 he built "a fourth church in the middle of a forest, by the name of "St John Baptist" and there is likely to be a numerous congregation there."

The interest in his preaching in all those churches continued, and in his last letter, September 26, 1742, he says "the four churches are filled on Sundays, and I am often obliged in summer to preach under the trees, since the houses are too small to hold all who come to hear." Rev Beckett died August 20, 1743, and was buried in the grave yard of St Peter's Church at Lewes.