Zachariah Mudge (clergyman)
Encyclopedia
Zachariah Mudge was an English clergyman, known for his sermons, and his deist or Platonist views.
, and after attending its grammar school was sent in 1710 to the nonconformist academy of Joseph Hallett III. When there he fell in love with a certain Mary Fox, who refused to take him seriously. He went on the road for London, but returned to Exeter after three weeks of hard knocks. In 1711 George Trosse, who had paid for his schooling, died and left Mudge half of his library, including a number of Hebrew works.
About 1713 he left Hallett's, and became second master in the school of John Reynolds, vicar of St. Thomas the Apostle in Exeter. John Reynolds's son Samuel, master of Exeter grammar school, was the father of Sir Joshua Reynolds, and Mudge soon became the intimate friend of three generations of the family. Mudge was painted on three several occasions by Sir Joshua Reynolds, in 1761, 1762, and 1766.
In 1714 he married his former love, Mary Fox. In the winter of 1717–18 he left Exeter to become master of Bideford
grammar school. While at Bideford he entered into a long correspondence with Stephen Weston
, Bishop of Exeter
on the doctrines of the Church of England
, which resulted in his giving up on nonconformist ministry and becoming an Anglican; he sent money to the West of England Nonconformist Association for the expenses of his education.
He was ordained deacon in the Church of England on 21 September 1729, and priest on the following day. In December of the same year he was instituted to the living of Abbotsham
, near Bideford, on the presentation of Peter King, 1st Baron King
, and in August 1732 he obtained the living of St. Andrew's, Plymouth
. Mudge was made a prebendary
of Exeter Cathedral
in 1736.
In 1759, after the last mason's work had been completed on the Eddystone Lighthouse
, and Laus Deo cut on the last stone set over the door of the lantern, John Smeaton
conducted Mudge, his old friend, to the top. There they joined together in singing the Old Hundredth Psalm, as a thanksgiving for the successful conclusion of the arduous undertaking. Reynolds introduced Mudge to Samuel Johnson
in 1762. Mudge died at Coffleet, Devon, on the first stage of his annual trip to London, on 2 April 1769. He was buried by the communion table of St. Andrew's, Plymouth, and his funeral sermon was preached by John Gandy, his curate for many years, who succeeded to the vicarage. Dr. Johnson drew Mudge's character in the London Chronicle for 2 June and wrote:
wrote that he was idolised in the West of England, and sermons were greatly esteemed for fifty years after his death, particularly as suitable for Oxford students. He published a selection of them in 1739. One on ‘The Origin and Obligations of Government’ was reprinted by Edmund Burke
in the form of a pamphlet in 1793, as an antidote against Jacobin principles. Another, separately published in 1731, was entitled ‘Liberty: a Sermon preached in the Cathedral Church of St. Peter, Exon, on Thursday, 16 September 1731, before the Gentlemen educated in the Free School at Exeter under the Rev. Mr. Reynolds.’ It contained some reflections on the nonconformists, which were answered in ‘Fate and Force, or Mr. Mudge's Liberty set in a true Light,’ London, 1732.
In 1744 he issued ‘An Essay towards a New English Version of the Book of Psalms from the original Hebrew,’ London, 1744. The translation was conservative of old phraseology.
; Richard (1718–1773), who took orders, and was distinguished locally for his compositions for, and performances on, the harpsichord; and John
—and one daughter, Mary. Mudge married, secondly, in 1762, Elizabeth Neell, who survived him many years, and died in 1782.
Life
He was born at ExeterExeter
Exeter is a historic city in Devon, England. It lies within the ceremonial county of Devon, of which it is the county town as well as the home of Devon County Council. Currently the administrative area has the status of a non-metropolitan district, and is therefore under the administration of the...
, and after attending its grammar school was sent in 1710 to the nonconformist academy of Joseph Hallett III. When there he fell in love with a certain Mary Fox, who refused to take him seriously. He went on the road for London, but returned to Exeter after three weeks of hard knocks. In 1711 George Trosse, who had paid for his schooling, died and left Mudge half of his library, including a number of Hebrew works.
About 1713 he left Hallett's, and became second master in the school of John Reynolds, vicar of St. Thomas the Apostle in Exeter. John Reynolds's son Samuel, master of Exeter grammar school, was the father of Sir Joshua Reynolds, and Mudge soon became the intimate friend of three generations of the family. Mudge was painted on three several occasions by Sir Joshua Reynolds, in 1761, 1762, and 1766.
In 1714 he married his former love, Mary Fox. In the winter of 1717–18 he left Exeter to become master of Bideford
Bideford
Bideford is a small port town on the estuary of the River Torridge in north Devon, south-west England. It is also the main town of the Torridge local government district.-History:...
grammar school. While at Bideford he entered into a long correspondence with Stephen Weston
Stephen Weston
-Life:He was born at Farnborough. He was educated at Eton College and King's College, Cambridge, where he was admitted in 1683, graduated B.A. in 1687, M.A. in 1690, and became a Fellow. He was an assistant-master at Eton from about 1690, and second master, 1693 to 1707. He was Fellow of Eton in...
, Bishop of Exeter
Bishop of Exeter
The Bishop of Exeter is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Exeter in the Province of Canterbury. The incumbent usually signs his name as Exon or incorporates this in his signature....
on the doctrines of the Church of England
Church of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
, which resulted in his giving up on nonconformist ministry and becoming an Anglican; he sent money to the West of England Nonconformist Association for the expenses of his education.
He was ordained deacon in the Church of England on 21 September 1729, and priest on the following day. In December of the same year he was instituted to the living of Abbotsham
Abbotsham
Abbotsham is a village in the English county of Devon. In 2001 its population was 434.-Amenities:Abbotsham has one Post Office and General Store. There is a primary school, a church and a pub. There is also a village hall. Private business include a pre-natal scanning clinic. One bus service serves...
, near Bideford, on the presentation of Peter King, 1st Baron King
Peter King, 1st Baron King
Peter King, 1st Baron King PC, FRS was an English lawyer and politician, who became lord chancellor of England.-Life:He was born in Exeter in 1669....
, and in August 1732 he obtained the living of St. Andrew's, Plymouth
Plymouth
Plymouth is a city and unitary authority area on the coast of Devon, England, about south-west of London. It is built between the mouths of the rivers Plym to the east and Tamar to the west, where they join Plymouth Sound...
. Mudge was made a prebendary
Prebendary
A prebendary is a post connected to an Anglican or Catholic cathedral or collegiate church and is a type of canon. Prebendaries have a role in the administration of the cathedral...
of Exeter Cathedral
Exeter Cathedral
Exeter Cathedral, the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter at Exeter, is an Anglican cathedral, and the seat of the Bishop of Exeter, in the city of Exeter, Devon in South West England....
in 1736.
In 1759, after the last mason's work had been completed on the Eddystone Lighthouse
Eddystone Lighthouse
Eddystone Lighthouse is on the treacherous Eddystone Rocks, south west of Rame Head, United Kingdom. While Rame Head is in Cornwall, the rocks are in Devon and composed of Precambrian Gneiss....
, and Laus Deo cut on the last stone set over the door of the lantern, John Smeaton
John Smeaton
John Smeaton, FRS, was an English civil engineer responsible for the design of bridges, canals, harbours and lighthouses. He was also a capable mechanical engineer and an eminent physicist...
conducted Mudge, his old friend, to the top. There they joined together in singing the Old Hundredth Psalm, as a thanksgiving for the successful conclusion of the arduous undertaking. Reynolds introduced Mudge to Samuel Johnson
Samuel Johnson
Samuel Johnson , often referred to as Dr. Johnson, was an English author who made lasting contributions to English literature as a poet, essayist, moralist, literary critic, biographer, editor and lexicographer...
in 1762. Mudge died at Coffleet, Devon, on the first stage of his annual trip to London, on 2 April 1769. He was buried by the communion table of St. Andrew's, Plymouth, and his funeral sermon was preached by John Gandy, his curate for many years, who succeeded to the vicarage. Dr. Johnson drew Mudge's character in the London Chronicle for 2 June and wrote:
Works
Mudge harmonised well with the unemotional form of religion that was dominant in his day. James BoswellJames Boswell
James Boswell, 9th Laird of Auchinleck was a lawyer, diarist, and author born in Edinburgh, Scotland; he is best known for the biography he wrote of one of his contemporaries, the English literary figure Samuel Johnson....
wrote that he was idolised in the West of England, and sermons were greatly esteemed for fifty years after his death, particularly as suitable for Oxford students. He published a selection of them in 1739. One on ‘The Origin and Obligations of Government’ was reprinted by Edmund Burke
Edmund Burke
Edmund Burke PC was an Irish statesman, author, orator, political theorist and philosopher who, after moving to England, served for many years in the House of Commons of Great Britain as a member of the Whig party....
in the form of a pamphlet in 1793, as an antidote against Jacobin principles. Another, separately published in 1731, was entitled ‘Liberty: a Sermon preached in the Cathedral Church of St. Peter, Exon, on Thursday, 16 September 1731, before the Gentlemen educated in the Free School at Exeter under the Rev. Mr. Reynolds.’ It contained some reflections on the nonconformists, which were answered in ‘Fate and Force, or Mr. Mudge's Liberty set in a true Light,’ London, 1732.
In 1744 he issued ‘An Essay towards a New English Version of the Book of Psalms from the original Hebrew,’ London, 1744. The translation was conservative of old phraseology.
Family
By his first wife, Mary, Mudge had four sons—Zachariah (1714–1753), a surgeon, who died on board an Indiaman at Canton; Thomas MudgeThomas Mudge (horologist)
Thomas Mudge was an English horologist who invented the lever escapement, the greatest single improvement ever applied to pocket watches.-Early life:...
; Richard (1718–1773), who took orders, and was distinguished locally for his compositions for, and performances on, the harpsichord; and John
John Mudge
John Mudge was an English physician and amateur creator of telescope mirrors. He won the Copley Medal in 1777 for a paper on reflecting telescopes.-Life:...
—and one daughter, Mary. Mudge married, secondly, in 1762, Elizabeth Neell, who survived him many years, and died in 1782.