Samuel Fairclough facts for kids

Samuel Fairclough (1594–1677) was an English minister. He was known for his strong beliefs. He was a nonconformist, meaning he didn't always follow the official rules of the Church of England.

Growing Up in England

Fairclough was born on April 29, 1594, in Haverhill, Suffolk. He was the youngest of four sons. His father, Lawrence Fairclough, was a vicar in Haverhill. Samuel was a very bright student. One of his teachers said he was the best scholar he had taught in 30 years.

At 14, he went to Queens' College, Cambridge. He lived a strict life. He followed moderate Puritan ideas. Puritans were a group who wanted to make the Church of England simpler. They wanted to remove things they thought were too fancy. Samuel even refused to act in a play for King James I. He didn't want to play a woman's part.

His Work as a Minister

After college, Samuel was offered a job as a minister in Suffolk. But he was too young to become a priest. So, he continued his studies with Richard Blackerby. Samuel later married Blackerby's oldest daughter.

In 1619, he became a lecturer in Lynn Regis, Norfolk. This meant he gave sermons and taught people. He was very popular. However, some other ministers became jealous. People who ran pubs also disliked him. This was because his preaching encouraged people to live healthier lives.

The bishop of Norwich, Samuel Harsnet, called him to court. This was because Fairclough didn't use the sign of the cross during baptisms. This was a common practice he disagreed with. Because of this, Fairclough left Lynn Regis.

He then took a similar job in Clare, Suffolk. A kind man named Sir Nathaniel Barnardiston often listened to him preach. In 1623, Sir Nathaniel gave him a job as a rector in Barnardiston. But Fairclough faced more problems there. He preached for a sick clergyman in Sudbury, Suffolk. He also repeated his sermon at a family's house. For this, he was accused of being a troublemaker. He had to go to special courts for over two years. The problems were finally solved with help from others.

Sir Nathaniel then helped Fairclough get a job in Kedington. This was near his hometown of Haverhill. He started there in 1629. He stayed in this job for almost 35 years. He preached four times a week. His Thursday lectures were very popular. Ministers and scholars from Cambridge came to hear him.

During this time, a book called the Book of Sports was re-published. This book allowed certain sports and games on Sundays. Fairclough was often called to court for not supporting it. But he found ways to avoid going. During the First English Civil War, he didn't take a strong side with the Presbyterians. He was asked to join a group of important religious leaders in 1643. This group was called the Westminster Assembly. But he chose not to attend. He also refused a job as the head of Trinity College, Cambridge.

Later Life and Challenges

In 1662, a new law required ministers to take an oath. Fairclough could not agree to this oath. So, he had to leave his job. He lived for a few years with two of his sons, Richard and Samuel. He also lived with his two sons-in-law. They had all lost their jobs too. They lived in an old house called Sculpins in Finchingfield, Essex. It became like a small college. The father and sons took turns preaching to the family.

Later, they all moved to different places. Fairclough lived with his youngest son in Kennett, Cambridgeshire. Then he lived with his daughters in Heveningham, Suffolk, and Stowmarket. He passed away in Stowmarket on December 14, 1677. He was 84 years old. He was buried near the church.

His Writings

Samuel Fairclough published several works. These were mostly sermons he had given. Some of his published works include:

• ‘The Troublers troubled, or Achan condemned and executed. A sermon … Apr. 4, 1641,’ London, 1641.
• ‘The Prisoners Praises for their deliverance from their long imprisonment in Colchester, on a day of publique thanksgiving, set apart for that purpose by the Gentlemen of the Committee of Essex, … surprised by the enemie at Chelmesford. In a sermon … Ps. cxlix. 6–8, preached at Rumford Septemb. 28, 1648,’ London, 1650.
• ‘Ἅγιοι ἄξιοι, or the Saints worthinesse and the worlds worthlessnesse, … declared in a sermon [on Heb. xi. 38] … at the funeral of … Sr Nathaniel Barnardiston,’ London, 1653.
• ‘The Pastor's Legacy,’ London, 1663.

A small portrait of him by F. H. van Hove can be found in Clarke's ‘Lives’ (1683), page 153b.

His Family

His second son, also named Samuel Fairclough (1625?–1691), was also a minister. He studied at Caius College, Cambridge. He later became a rector in Houghton Conquest, Bedfordshire. But he also had to leave his job in 1662. In 1672, he was allowed to teach as a Congregational minister in Chippenham, Cambridgeshire. He died on December 31, 1691, at age 66. He was buried in Heveningham, Suffolk. His funeral sermon was given by Nathaniel Parkhurst. There are memorials for him and his wife, Frances Folkes, in Heveningham Church. He also published some writings, including a poem and an account of Mrs. Anne Barnardiston's life.