John Machin (priest) facts for kids
John Machin (1624–1664) was an English Nonconformist priest. This means he was a Protestant minister who did not follow the rules of the official Church of England. He lived during a time when people faced difficulties for their religious beliefs.
Early Life and Studies
John Machin was born on October 2, 1624, in Seabridge, a small place in Stoke-upon-Trent, Staffordshire. He was the only son of John Machin, whose family had owned land in Seabridge since 1531. His mother was Katherine Vernon.
Young John Machin received his education from teachers like Orme and John Ball. At first, his family thought he might become a lawyer or a farmer.
In December 1645, he started studying at Jesus College, Cambridge. Soon after, he had a strong religious experience that changed his life. In March 1648, he became very ill. After he recovered, he started a special group for students to discuss religious topics. He continued this group for several years after leaving the university.
Becoming a Minister
John Machin earned his Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in 1649. In the same year, he became a Presbyterian minister in Whitchurch, Shropshire. Presbyterian ministers are part of a Christian group that has a different way of organizing their church compared to the Church of England.
For about a year, he preached in different towns in Staffordshire and Cheshire. He didn't have a permanent church yet.
In 1650, he became a lecturer in Ashbourne, Derbyshire. This meant he gave sermons every other Sunday. On the other Sundays, he traveled to preach in nearby villages.
In 1652, he moved to Atherstone Chapel in Warwickshire to be a lecturer there. It's said that he even gave medical advice to George Fox, who later founded the Quaker movement.
Challenges and Later Ministry
On November 17, 1652, John Machin was invited to be a lecturer in Astbury, Cheshire. He moved there in the spring of 1653.
He also started a special project where he arranged for ministers to give sermons in twelve Staffordshire towns. This happened on the last Friday of each month. He began this plan in August 1653 and continued it until January 1660.
Although some records suggest he became the official rector of Astbury in 1654, it seems he shared his preaching duties with another minister, George Moxon. This allowed Machin to continue his wider ministry. They even lived together in the rectory house.
On May 17, 1661, he became the permanent minister of Whitley Chapel in Cheshire. However, his time there was cut short. The Act of Uniformity 1662 was passed in 1662. This law required all ministers to follow the Church of England's prayer book and rules. Because John Machin was a Nonconformist, he was removed from his position.
Despite being removed, he continued to preach secretly in Whitley and nearby areas. But then, the Conventicle Act 1664 came into force on July 1, 1664. This law made it illegal for more than five people (who were not family members) to gather for religious worship outside of the Church of England.
By this time, John Machin was not well. He moved back to Seabridge, where he passed away from a serious fever on September 6, 1664.
John Machin did not publish any books or writings himself. What we know about his life comes from a book called A Faithful Narration, which was published after his death in 1671. It is believed that Henry Newcome, another minister, wrote this book.
Family Life
John Machin was buried on September 18, 1664, in Newcastle-under-Lyne.
He married Jane Butler on September 29, 1653, in Uttoxeter. They had four or five children. Some of their children included Samuel (born 1654, died 1722) and John (died 1741, aged 82).
