Jonathan Shipley facts for kids
Jonathan Shipley (born 1714, died 1788) was an important leader in the Church of England. He held several big jobs, like being the Dean of Winchester for many years. He also became a Bishop in two different places: first in Llandaff and then in St Asaph. He was known for his strong beliefs and his friendships with famous people.
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Jonathan Shipley's Life
Early Years and Education
Jonathan Shipley was born in 1714. His father was a stationer in London, which means he sold paper and writing supplies. His mother's family owned a large house called Twyford House in Winchester. Jonathan grew up in London and went to Reading School in Berkshire.
He then went to St John's College, Oxford, a famous university. He earned several degrees there, including a Bachelor of Arts in 1735 and a Doctor of Divinity in 1748. Around 1738, he became a priest. He also worked as a teacher for the family of the 3rd Earl of Peterborough.
Early Church Career
In 1743, Jonathan Shipley became the rector of two churches in Hampshire: Silchester and Sherborne St John. He also joined the clergy at Winchester Cathedral. Later, in 1748, he became a canon at Christ Church, Oxford.
In 1760, he was made the Dean of Winchester. This was a very important position in the church. He held this role, along with his other church jobs, until his death.
Political Views and Friendships
Jonathan Shipley became a bishop in 1769. First, he was the Bishop of Llandaff, and then he became the Bishop of St Asaph. He cared a lot about politics and joined the Whig party. This group was against the policies of King George III, especially how he treated the American colonies.
In 1774, the British Parliament was discussing new laws to punish the town of Boston after the famous Boston Tea Party. Jonathan Shipley was one of the few Church of England bishops who spoke out against these harsh laws. He even wrote a speech to protest, but he wasn't allowed to give it in Parliament. So, he published it instead.
In his speech, he pointed out that the British Crown collected very little money from the American colonies. He believed that any money earned from them should be spent wisely. Because of his support for the American colonies, a street in Old Town, Alexandria, Virginia, in the United States, was named St. Asaph Street after one of his bishoprics.
Shipley was also good friends with Benjamin Franklin, a famous American inventor and politician. Franklin even stayed with Shipley in Winchester and wrote parts of his autobiography there. In 1784, Franklin called Shipley "America's constant friend." Shipley was also the only bishop in 1779 to support getting rid of all laws against Protestant dissenters, who were Protestants who did not follow the Church of England.
Family Life
Jonathan Shipley married Anna Maria Mordaunt. They had several children. His son, William Davies Shipley, also became a church leader, serving as the Dean of St Asaph. His eldest daughter, Anna Maria Shipley, married Sir William Jones, a famous scholar. Another daughter, Georgiana Shipley, became a painter and supported other artists.
Remembering Jonathan Shipley
There is a special monument with a bust (a sculpture of his head and shoulders) of Jonathan Shipley inside St Mary's Church, Twyford. This monument was created by the sculptor Joseph Nollekens. The church was rebuilt in the 1800s, but the monument to Bishop Shipley is still there today.
