John Pritchett (bishop) explained

John Pritchett[1] (died 1 January 1681) was an English churchman, bishop of Gloucester from 1672.

Life

He was the son of Walter Pritchett of Cowley Hall.[2] He studied at the University of Oxford from 1622, graduating M.A. in 1629. He was collated to the joint rectory of St Andrew Undershaft-St Mary Axe in 1641, but was sequestrated during the First English Civil War.[3] Under the Commonwealth he had a living at Harlington, Middlesex, but was replaced in 1658. He also held the curacy of the church at Harefield, Middlesex, but was removed from that position in favour of a Mr. Hoare.[4]

After the Restoration, he returned to his position at St Andrew Undershaft.[5] He was appointed vicar of St Giles Cripplegate in 1663,[3] successor to John Dolben. He avoided the Great Plague of London in 1665 by moving to the country.[5]

He was appointed bishop of Gloucester in 1672, but continued as vicar of St Giles Cripplegate. In his diocese he opposed the dissenter Nicholas Billingsley.[6]

He died on his estate at Harefield on 1 January 1681 and was buried under the pulpit of Harefield Church. He left to St Giles Cripplegate a communion flagon that still belongs to the church.[7]

Notes and References

  1. Also Pritchet, Prichet, Prichard.
  2. [Daniel Lysons (antiquarian)|Daniel Lysons]
  3. William Miller, Before the Fire of London (1867), p. 82.
  4. .
  5. William Denton, Records of St. Giles' Cripplegate (1883), p. 68.
  6. Alexander Balloch . Grosart . Billingsley, Nicholas . 5 . 36–27.
  7. Web site: History of St Giles' . stgilesnewsite.co.uk . 15 May 2017.