William Read (priest) explained

William Read was Archdeacon of Barnstaple^[1] from 1679 until 1703.^[2]

Read was educated at Exeter College, Oxford.^[3] He became Rector of Drewsteignton in 1660; and a Canon of Exeter Cathedral in 1662. In 1680 he became Rector of St Michael the Archangel's Church, Chagford.^[4]

Notes and References

1. ""Who Wrote Eikōn Basilikē?" Considered and Answered: In Two Letters" Wordsworth, C p90: London, John Murray, 1824
2. "Memorials of Barnstaple; being an attempt to supply the want of a history of that ancient borough" Gribble, J.B: Barnstaple, J. Avery, 1830
3. https://www.british-history.ac.uk/alumni-oxon/1500-1714/pp1227-1250 Alumni Oxonienses 1500-1714, Rabbetts-Rhodes
4. http://www.british-history.ac.uk/alumni-oxon/1500-1714/pp1227-1250 British History On-line