Page:Dictionary of National Biography volume 43.djvu/402

 paper by Parsons on ‘A Phenomenon at Bussorah’ appeared in ‘Nicholson's Journal’ (London) in the same year.

[Parsons's Travels in Asia and Africa.]  PARSONS, ANDREW (1616–1684), dissenting minister, was son of John Parsons of Milton, Somerset (Harl. Soc. Publ. v. 192;, History of Thame). He entered Christ Church, Oxford, matriculating on 20 June 1634, in his eighteenth year, and proceeded B.A. on 8 July 1635, and M.A. on 20 April 1638. Returning to his native county, he was beneficed there for some years before the outbreak of the civil wars. Being driven to London, he is said to have been sent to Wem, Shropshire, ‘by Pym when that town was garrisoned by the parliament’. But he does not appear to have been appointed to the rectory before 23 June 1646, when it was sequestered, and he was presented to it by the committee for plundered ministers (cf. Addit. MS. 15671, ff. 263b, 267 a).

In 1648 he signed the attestation of the ministers of Shropshire to the truth of Jesus Christ, in imitation of the action of the London ministers. Under the Commonwealth he represented Wem as a member of the classical presbytery of Prees in the province of Shropshire (Diaries and Letters of Philip Henry, p. 34). As a royalist presbyterian he ‘ran hazards when Charles passed with his army to Worcester;’ and he sent a horse and arms to aid Sir George Booth [q. v.] in his rising in Cheshire.

Parsons was in possession of Wem at the Restoration, but was prosecuted in August 1660 for alleged seditious preaching against the king ‘since June 24 last’ (State Papers, Dom. Car. II, xi. 117). According to Neal (iv. 271), he was fetched from his home in December by six soldiers (see, Account, p. 555; , Reliq. Baxt. iii. 94). Parsons was tried at Shrewsbury before Lord Newport, Serjeant Turner, and others on 28 and 29 May 1662 (Calamy erroneously dates this second trial 1661). He was fined 200l., and ordered to be imprisoned till the fine was paid (see also Conformists' Fourth Plea, p. 32). Parsons remained in prison three months, his living being ‘presently’ sequestered by the chancellor of Lichfield. His pardon was then secured by Lord Newport. On 11 Sept. 1662 his fine was remitted, and he was thereupon discharged from prison (State Papers, Dom. Car. II, entry book 7, No. 236).

Parsons stayed in Shropshire till 1663 (Diaries and Letters of Philip Henry, p. 127). Removing to London, he became assistant to Thomas Wadsworth at the Maid Lane presbyterian conventicle in Globe Alley, Southwark, 1672–6 (, Dissenting Churches, iv. 154; Hist. MSS. Comm. 11th Rep. vii. 15). On the death of Wadsworth, Richard Baxter succeeded to the pastorate, and Parsons was called to the White Hart Yard congregation (Bridge Street, Covent Garden). Afterwards Baxter also ministered at White Hart Yard. ‘During the time that Mr. Baxter held the meeting-house (to 1682, when his congregation was dispersed), Mr. Andrew Parsons preached there on one part of the day till the severity of the times compelled him to desist’ (, iii. 566). He died on 1 Oct. 1684 (see Life of Philip Henry, p. 257), and was buried in London.

Parsons wrote: ‘Serviceable Counsel to an afflicted people, in a letter to the distressed inhabitants of Wem in the county of Salop, after the dreadful fire which consumed that market town, March 3, 1676–7,’ London, 1677.

[Foster's Alumni Oxon. 1500–1714; Neal's Puritans, iv. 271; and authorities given above.]  PARSONS, BARTHOLOMEW (1574–1642), divine, was a native of Somerset, and of the same family as Robert Parsons (1546–1610) [q. v.], the jesuit. He entered Oriel College, Oxford, in 1590, being then aged sixteen or thereabouts, and graduated B.A. on 29 Jan. 1599–1600, M.A. on 9 July 1603, and B.D. on 28 May 1611. He took holy orders, and preached frequently ‘in the parts about Oxford, being much followed and admired for his hospitality and preaching.’ He was appointed chaplain to the bishop of Salisbury, and in 1605 rector of Manningford-Bruce, Wiltshire. In 1611 he became rector of Collingbourne-Kingston, on the presentation of the dean and chapter of Winchester, and in 1620 rector of Ludgershall, both in Wiltshire, holding the latter incumbency till his death (cf. State Papers, Dom. cccxxvii, 29 June 1636). He died in February 1641–2, and was buried under the south wall of the chancel of Ludgershall church on 27 Feb. 1641–2.

Of his sons, Bartholomew matriculated from Gloucester Hall on 7 Nov. 1634, and proceeded B.A. from Balliol on 31 Jan. 1637–8. On 11 July 1648 it was reported to the committee of both kingdoms at Derby House that he was committed prisoner to Peterhouse, Cambridge, for raising arms against the parliament. On 16 Nov. following he was discharged (State Papers, Interregnum, D xvi.) Another son, John, matri-