Page:The Poetical Works of Elijah Fenton (1779).djvu/13



worthy gentleman was born at Shelton, near Newcastle-under-Line, in Staffordshire. In this county though there are several families of the name of Fenton, yet they are all branches from one stock, which is a very ancient and opulent family, our Author's mother being immediately descended from one Mare, an officer in William the Conqueror's army.

Our Poet was the youngest of twelve children, and was intended by his parents for the ministry: he was sent to the university of Cambridge, where he embraced principles very opposite to government, by which he became disqualified for entering into holy orders. We find him soon after his quitting the university Secretary to the Earl of Orrery; but how long he remained in that station we cannot ascertain. After he quitted the service of this noble peer it was his custom to perform a visit annually to his eldest brother's house in the country, who possessed an estate of 1000l. per annum. He was caressed in the country by all his relations, to whom he endeared himself by his affable and genteel behaviour. Mr. Fenton was a man of the most tender humanity, and discovered it upon every proper occasion. A gentleman resident in that county, who has transmitted to us some account of Mr. Fenton, has given us the following instance of his humane disposition.