Henry Peckwell
Encyclopedia
Henry Peckwell was an English clergyman of Methodist views.
. About 1764 he entered the house of an Italian silk merchant in London, with the intention of representing the firm in Italy. But he spent more of his time at George Whitefield
's Tabernacle than in the counting-house, and before his term was finished he gave up his position and matriculated at St Edmund Hall, Oxford
, on 17 May 1770.
Peckwell attracted the notice of Selina Hastings, Countess of Huntingdon
, who made him one of her chaplains. In April 1774 the chapel in Prince's Street, Westminster, was repaired and opened for him. In the same year he preached the anniversary sermon at Lady Huntingdon's College at Trevecca, and later visited many places in England, preaching for the Connexion. Subsequently he was presented by Lord Robert Manners to the rectory of Bloxholm-cum-Digby in Lincolnshire
, which he retained till his death.
He visited Dublin around 1783, and drew large congregations in the city. Through the influence of Elizabeth Rawdon, Countess of Moira, Lady Huntingdon's eldest daughter, he was permitted to preach in the chapel of the Magdalen Institution, founded by Lady Arabella Denny, a fashionable congregation. Here he spoke out too plainly, and complaints were made. The aftermath created a breach between Lady Arabella and the Countess of Moira, and application was made to the Archbishop of Dublin to use his influence to arrest the spread of Methodism.
Residing in London, he founded in 1784 an institution called ‘The Sick Man's Friend,’ for the purpose of relieving the sick poor of all denominations, as well as supplying instruction. To render himself of greater service to the work, he studied medicine. He died from the effects of a wound in his hand, inflicted upon himself while making a post-mortem examination, on 18 August 1787, at his house in St. James's, Westminster. He was buried in the family vault at Chichester.
Peckwell published, besides sermons, ‘A Collection of Psalms and Hymns,’ London, 1760?
. By her he had a son, Robert Henry, and a daughter, Selina Mary (named after her godmother, the Countess of Huntingdon), who, in 1793, married George Grote, the banker, and became the mother of George Grote
and Arthur Grote
. Mrs. Peckwell died in her house in Wilmot Street, Brunswick Square, on 28 November 1816.
Life
He was the son of Henry Peckwell of ChichesterChichester
Chichester is a cathedral city in West Sussex, within the historic County of Sussex, South-East England. It has a long history as a settlement; its Roman past and its subsequent importance in Anglo-Saxon times are only its beginnings...
. About 1764 he entered the house of an Italian silk merchant in London, with the intention of representing the firm in Italy. But he spent more of his time at George Whitefield
George Whitefield
George Whitefield , also known as George Whitfield, was an English Anglican priest who helped spread the Great Awakening in Britain, and especially in the British North American colonies. He was one of the founders of Methodism and of the evangelical movement generally...
's Tabernacle than in the counting-house, and before his term was finished he gave up his position and matriculated at St Edmund Hall, Oxford
St Edmund Hall, Oxford
St Edmund Hall is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. Better known within the University by its nickname, "Teddy Hall", the college has a claim to being "the oldest academical society for the education of undergraduates in any university"...
, on 17 May 1770.
Peckwell attracted the notice of Selina Hastings, Countess of Huntingdon
Selina Hastings, Countess of Huntingdon
Selina, Countess of Huntingdon was an English religious leader who played a prominent part in the religious revival of the 18th century and the Methodist movement in England and Wales, and has left a Christian denomination in England and Sierra Leone.-Early life:Selina Hastings was born as Lady...
, who made him one of her chaplains. In April 1774 the chapel in Prince's Street, Westminster, was repaired and opened for him. In the same year he preached the anniversary sermon at Lady Huntingdon's College at Trevecca, and later visited many places in England, preaching for the Connexion. Subsequently he was presented by Lord Robert Manners to the rectory of Bloxholm-cum-Digby in Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire is a county in the east of England. It borders Norfolk to the south east, Cambridgeshire to the south, Rutland to the south west, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire to the west, South Yorkshire to the north west, and the East Riding of Yorkshire to the north. It also borders...
, which he retained till his death.
He visited Dublin around 1783, and drew large congregations in the city. Through the influence of Elizabeth Rawdon, Countess of Moira, Lady Huntingdon's eldest daughter, he was permitted to preach in the chapel of the Magdalen Institution, founded by Lady Arabella Denny, a fashionable congregation. Here he spoke out too plainly, and complaints were made. The aftermath created a breach between Lady Arabella and the Countess of Moira, and application was made to the Archbishop of Dublin to use his influence to arrest the spread of Methodism.
Residing in London, he founded in 1784 an institution called ‘The Sick Man's Friend,’ for the purpose of relieving the sick poor of all denominations, as well as supplying instruction. To render himself of greater service to the work, he studied medicine. He died from the effects of a wound in his hand, inflicted upon himself while making a post-mortem examination, on 18 August 1787, at his house in St. James's, Westminster. He was buried in the family vault at Chichester.
Peckwell published, besides sermons, ‘A Collection of Psalms and Hymns,’ London, 1760?
Family
Peckwell married, on 23 February 1773, Bella Blossed or Blosset of County MeathCounty Meath
County Meath is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the ancient Kingdom of Mide . Meath County Council is the local authority for the county...
. By her he had a son, Robert Henry, and a daughter, Selina Mary (named after her godmother, the Countess of Huntingdon), who, in 1793, married George Grote, the banker, and became the mother of George Grote
George Grote
George Grote was an English classical historian, best known in the field for a major work, the voluminous History of Greece, still read.-Early life:He was born at Clay Hill near Beckenham in Kent...
and Arthur Grote
Arthur Grote
Arthur Grote was an English colonial administrator.-Life:He was born on 29 November 1814 at Beckenham in Kent, England. He was the son of George Grote , a London banker, and Selina Peckwell who was the daughter of the Rev. Dr Henry Peckwell and Bella Blosset of Co. Meath, from a well-connected...
. Mrs. Peckwell died in her house in Wilmot Street, Brunswick Square, on 28 November 1816.