Samuel Fairclough
Encyclopedia
Samuel Fairclough was an English nonconformist divine.
, the youngest of the four sons of Lawrence Fairclough, vicar of Haverhill, by his wife Mary, daughter of John Cole of that town. After some preliminary training under a Mr. Robotham, who said of him that he was the best scholar he had ever taught in the course of thirty years, he was sent to Queens' College, Cambridge
, at the age of fourteen. Various stories are told of his strict life and steady attachment to moderate puritan principles. He refused on principle to take a woman's part in the comedy of ‘Ignoramus’ when about to be presented before James I
.
, but not being of age to receive priest's orders he declined it, and preferred to pursue his theological studies with Richard Blackerby, then resident at Ashen, Essex
, whose eldest daughter he afterwards married. In 1619 he accepted an offer from the mayor and nine aldermen of Lynn Regis, Norfolk
, of a lectureship,. from the congregation. ‘His popularity,’ relates Edmund Calamy
, ‘excited the envy of the other ministers, and he was openly opposed by the publicans, whose business declined from the decrease of drunkenness.’
Samuel Harsnet, bishop of Norwich
, cited him into his court for neglecting to use the sign of the cross in baptism, and the result was that Fairclough retired. He then accepted a similar but a less conspicuous position at Clare, Suffolk
, where he had often preached while at Ashen. Before long Sir Nathaniel Barnardiston
, who was frequently one of his hearers, presented him to the adjoining rectory of Barnardiston
, 27 June 1623. He there met with further opposition. One of the clergymen at Sudbury
being ill, Fairclough occupied his pulpit for him, and in the evening he repeated the sermon which he had preached to the family in whose house he lodged. For this articles were exhibited against him in the Star Chamber
as a factious man; he was convened before the Court of High Commission
, and made to attend at different times for more than two years. Matters were only resolved by covert influence.
Barnardiston then presented Fairclough to the rectory of Kedington
, near Haverhill, and obtained his institution 10 February 1629, ‘without his personal attendance upon the bishop, taking the oath of canonical obedience, or subscribing the three articles.’ In this living he continued for nearly thirty-five years, preaching four times a week. His Thursday lectures were admired, by the local ministers, and scholars and fellows of colleges from Cambridge.’ When the Book of Sports was republished, Fairclough was often cited to appear before the archdeacon and commissary at Bury St Edmunds, but managed to evade attendance on the plea of a weakness which disabled him from riding. During the First English Civil War
he showed little active sympathy with the presbyterians. He was nominated one of the Westminster Assembly
of divines in June 1643, but excused himself from attending; and though he signed the petition in 1646 he absolutely refused the engagement
. He also declined the mastership of Trinity College, Cambridge
.
and Samuel, and his two sons-in-law, George Jones and Richard Shute, who had left their livings, in an old manor house called Sculpins at Finchingfield, Essex, which became ‘a little college.’ Father and sons preached by turns in the family.
When they were dispersed Fairclough went to live with his youngest son, a conforming minister at Kennett, Cambridgeshire
, and then with his daughters at Heveningham, Suffolk, and Stowmarket
in the same county successively. He died at Stowmarket 14 December 1677, aged 84, and was buried near the vestry door of the church.
His portrait, a small head by F. H. van Hove, is in Clarke's ‘Lives’ (1683), p. 153 b.
, Bedfordshire
, but was ejected in 1662. In 1672 he was licensed a congregational teacher at Chippenham, Cambridgeshire
. He died 31 Deceember 1691, aged 66, and was buried at Heveningham, Suffolk, his funeral sermon having been preached by a conformist, Nathaniel Parkhurst, vicar of Yoxford
. There are memorials to him and his wife, Frances Folkes of Kedington, in Heveningham Church. He published: an ‘offertory’ in verse in ‘Suffolk's Tears; or, Elegies on … Sir Nathaniel Barnardiston,’ London, 1653; a ‘brief account of some remarkable passages of the life and death of Mrs. Anne Barnardiston,’ prefixed to John Shower
's funeral sermon for that lady, London, 1682, and an ‘epistle’ before the funeral sermon for his brother-in-law, Richard Shute, in 1689.
Early life
Fairclough was born 29 April 1594 at Haverhill, SuffolkHaverhill, Suffolk
Haverhill is an industrial market town and civil parish in the county of Suffolk, England, next to the borders of Essex and Cambridgeshire. It lies southeast of Cambridge and north of central London...
, the youngest of the four sons of Lawrence Fairclough, vicar of Haverhill, by his wife Mary, daughter of John Cole of that town. After some preliminary training under a Mr. Robotham, who said of him that he was the best scholar he had ever taught in the course of thirty years, he was sent to Queens' College, Cambridge
Queens' College, Cambridge
Queens' College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge, England.The college was founded in 1448 by Margaret of Anjou , and refounded in 1465 by Elizabeth Woodville...
, at the age of fourteen. Various stories are told of his strict life and steady attachment to moderate puritan principles. He refused on principle to take a woman's part in the comedy of ‘Ignoramus’ when about to be presented before James I
James I of England
James VI and I was King of Scots as James VI from 24 July 1567 and King of England and Ireland as James I from the union of the English and Scottish crowns on 24 March 1603...
.
Ministry
Soon after taking his B.A. degree a Mr. Allington offered him a presentation to a living in SuffolkSuffolk
Suffolk is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in East Anglia, England. It has borders with Norfolk to the north, Cambridgeshire to the west and Essex to the south. The North Sea lies to the east...
, but not being of age to receive priest's orders he declined it, and preferred to pursue his theological studies with Richard Blackerby, then resident at Ashen, Essex
Ashen, Essex
Ashen is a village and civil parish in Essex, England. It is located about east-southeast of Haverhill and is north from the county town of Chelmsford. The village lies to the south of the River Stour, which here forms the county boundary with Suffolk. The village is in the district of Braintree...
, whose eldest daughter he afterwards married. In 1619 he accepted an offer from the mayor and nine aldermen of Lynn Regis, Norfolk
Norfolk
Norfolk is a low-lying county in the East of England. It has borders with Lincolnshire to the west, Cambridgeshire to the west and southwest and Suffolk to the south. Its northern and eastern boundaries are the North Sea coast and to the north-west the county is bordered by The Wash. The county...
, of a lectureship,. from the congregation. ‘His popularity,’ relates Edmund Calamy
Edmund Calamy (historian)
Edmund Calamy was an English Nonconformist churchman, divine and historian.-Life:A grandson of Edmund Calamy the Elder, he was born in the City of London, in the parish of St Mary Aldermanbury. He was sent to various schools, including Merchant Taylors', and in 1688 proceeded to the university of...
, ‘excited the envy of the other ministers, and he was openly opposed by the publicans, whose business declined from the decrease of drunkenness.’
Samuel Harsnet, bishop of Norwich
Bishop of Norwich
The Bishop of Norwich is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Norwich in the Province of Canterbury.The diocese covers most of the County of Norfolk and part of Suffolk. The see is in the City of Norwich where the seat is located at the Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided...
, cited him into his court for neglecting to use the sign of the cross in baptism, and the result was that Fairclough retired. He then accepted a similar but a less conspicuous position at Clare, Suffolk
Clare, Suffolk
Clare is a small town on the north bank of the River Stour in Suffolk, England.Clare is from Bury St Edmunds and from Sudbury. It lies in the 'South and Heart of Suffolk' . As a cloth town, it is one of Suffolk's 'threads'. Clare is the current holder of Village of the Year and has won the...
, where he had often preached while at Ashen. Before long Sir Nathaniel Barnardiston
Nathaniel Barnardiston
Sir Nathaniel Barnardiston was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons variously between 1628 and 1648.Barnardiston was the son of Sir Thomas Barnardiston of Witham Essex and his wife Mary Knight, daughter of Sir RIchard Knight...
, who was frequently one of his hearers, presented him to the adjoining rectory of Barnardiston
Barnardiston
Barnardiston is a village and civil parish in the St Edmundsbury district of Suffolk, England. The village is located about four miles north-east of Haverhill off the A143....
, 27 June 1623. He there met with further opposition. One of the clergymen at Sudbury
Sudbury, Suffolk
Sudbury is a small, ancient market town in the county of Suffolk, England, on the River Stour, from Colchester and from London.-Early history:...
being ill, Fairclough occupied his pulpit for him, and in the evening he repeated the sermon which he had preached to the family in whose house he lodged. For this articles were exhibited against him in the Star Chamber
Star Chamber
The Star Chamber was an English court of law that sat at the royal Palace of Westminster until 1641. It was made up of Privy Counsellors, as well as common-law judges and supplemented the activities of the common-law and equity courts in both civil and criminal matters...
as a factious man; he was convened before the Court of High Commission
Court of High Commission
The Court of High Commission was the supreme ecclesiastic court in England. It was instituted by the crown during the Reformation and finally dissolved by parliament in 1641...
, and made to attend at different times for more than two years. Matters were only resolved by covert influence.
Barnardiston then presented Fairclough to the rectory of Kedington
Kedington
Kedington is a village located between Clare and Haverhill in south-west Suffolk.Known as Kidituna in the Domesday Book , there were 280 people living there at that time....
, near Haverhill, and obtained his institution 10 February 1629, ‘without his personal attendance upon the bishop, taking the oath of canonical obedience, or subscribing the three articles.’ In this living he continued for nearly thirty-five years, preaching four times a week. His Thursday lectures were admired, by the local ministers, and scholars and fellows of colleges from Cambridge.’ When the Book of Sports was republished, Fairclough was often cited to appear before the archdeacon and commissary at Bury St Edmunds, but managed to evade attendance on the plea of a weakness which disabled him from riding. During the First English Civil War
First English Civil War
The First English Civil War began the series of three wars known as the English Civil War . "The English Civil War" was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations that took place between Parliamentarians and Royalists from 1642 until 1651, and includes the Second English Civil War and...
he showed little active sympathy with the presbyterians. He was nominated one of the Westminster Assembly
Westminster Assembly
The Westminster Assembly of Divines was appointed by the Long Parliament to restructure the Church of England. It also included representatives of religious leaders from Scotland...
of divines in June 1643, but excused himself from attending; and though he signed the petition in 1646 he absolutely refused the engagement
Engagement controversy
The Engagement Controversy was a debate in England from 1649-1652 regarding loyalty to the new regime after the execution of Charles I. During this period hundreds of pamphlets were published in England supporting 'engagement' to the new regime or denying the right of English citizens to shift...
. He also declined the mastership of Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Trinity has more members than any other college in Cambridge or Oxford, with around 700 undergraduates, 430 graduates, and over 170 Fellows...
.
Ejection and later life
In 1662 he could not take the oath, and so left his living. He resided for four or five years with two of his sons, RichardRichard Fairclough (divine)
Richard Fairclough , was a nonconformist divine.-Life:Fairclough was the eldest son of Samuel Fairclough . He graduated M.A. as a member of Emmanuel College, Cambridge, of which house he was a fellow. When Benjamin Whichcot was presented in 1643 to the college living of North Cadbury,...
and Samuel, and his two sons-in-law, George Jones and Richard Shute, who had left their livings, in an old manor house called Sculpins at Finchingfield, Essex, which became ‘a little college.’ Father and sons preached by turns in the family.
When they were dispersed Fairclough went to live with his youngest son, a conforming minister at Kennett, Cambridgeshire
Kennett, Cambridgeshire
Kennett is a small village and civil parish at the very eastern tip of Cambridgeshire, England. Situated around north-east of Newmarket and north-west of Bury St Edmunds, it falls into the district of East Cambridgeshire.-History:...
, and then with his daughters at Heveningham, Suffolk, and Stowmarket
Stowmarket
-See also:* Stowmarket Town F.C.* Stowmarket High School-External links:* * * * *...
in the same county successively. He died at Stowmarket 14 December 1677, aged 84, and was buried near the vestry door of the church.
Works
He published:- ‘The Troublers troubled, or Achan condemned and executed. A sermon … Apr. 4, 1641,’ London, 1641.
- ‘The Prisoners Praises for their deliverance from their long imprisonment in Colchester, on a day of publique thanksgiving, set apart for that purpose by the Gentlemen of the Committee of Essex, … surprised by the enemie at Chelmesford. In a sermon … Ps. cxlix. 6–8, preached at Rumford Septemb. 28, 1648,’ London, 1650.
- ‘Ἅγιοι ἄξιοι, or the Saints worthinesse and the worlds worthlessnesse, … declared in a sermon [on Heb. xi. 38] … at the funerall of … Sr Nathaniel Barnardiston,’ London, 1653.
- ‘The Pastor's Legacy,’ London, 1663.
His portrait, a small head by F. H. van Hove, is in Clarke's ‘Lives’ (1683), p. 153 b.
Family
His second son, Samuel Fairclough (1625?–1691), was a fellow of Caius College, Cambridge, and afterwards rector of Houghton ConquestHoughton Conquest
Houghton Conquest is a village and civil parish located in the Central Bedfordshire district of Bedfordshire, England. The parish also includes the hamlet of How End.-History:...
, Bedfordshire
Bedfordshire
Bedfordshire is a ceremonial county of historic origin in England that forms part of the East of England region.It borders Cambridgeshire to the north-east, Northamptonshire to the north, Buckinghamshire to the west and Hertfordshire to the south-east....
, but was ejected in 1662. In 1672 he was licensed a congregational teacher at Chippenham, Cambridgeshire
Chippenham, Cambridgeshire
Chippenham is a village and civil parish in Cambridgeshire, England, part of East Cambridgeshire district around north-east of Newmarket and north-east of Cambridge.-History:The parish of Chippenham covers at the eastern end of Cambridgeshire...
. He died 31 Deceember 1691, aged 66, and was buried at Heveningham, Suffolk, his funeral sermon having been preached by a conformist, Nathaniel Parkhurst, vicar of Yoxford
Yoxford
Yoxford is a village in the east of Suffolk, England close to the Heritage Coast, Minsmere Reserve , Aldeburgh and Southwold.-Location and features:...
. There are memorials to him and his wife, Frances Folkes of Kedington, in Heveningham Church. He published: an ‘offertory’ in verse in ‘Suffolk's Tears; or, Elegies on … Sir Nathaniel Barnardiston,’ London, 1653; a ‘brief account of some remarkable passages of the life and death of Mrs. Anne Barnardiston,’ prefixed to John Shower
John Shower
-Life:The elder brother of Sir Bartholomew Shower, he was born at Exeter, and baptised on 18 May 1657. His father, William, a wealthy merchant, died about 1661, leaving a widow and four sons. Shower was educated in turn at Exeter, and at Taunton under Matthew Warren....
's funeral sermon for that lady, London, 1682, and an ‘epistle’ before the funeral sermon for his brother-in-law, Richard Shute, in 1689.