William Marsh (priest) facts for kids

William Marsh (1775–1864) was an important British priest. He worked for the Church of England in the 1800s. He also wrote many religious books and papers. His daughter, Catherine Marsh, who became a famous writer, was born in Colchester where he was a vicar.

William Marsh's Life

Early Years and Big Decisions

William Marsh was born on July 20, 1775. He was the third son of Catherine and Colonel Sir Charles Marsh. He grew up in Reading, England. He went to the local Grammar school there.

One day, something big happened that changed his life. He saw a young man suddenly die at a dance. This made William think deeply about life. He decided not to become a soldier, which was his original plan. Instead, he chose to become a priest.

He went to St Edmund Hall, Oxford university in 1797. He studied hard and earned several degrees. In 1800, he became a priest. He quickly became known as a very good speaker. People liked his sermons about evangelical ideas.

Working in the Church

In 1801, William Marsh was given the church of Nettlebed in Oxfordshire. A year later, his father helped him get two more churches. These were Basildon and Ashampstead in Berkshire. He gave up the Nettlebed church but kept helping at St. Lawrence for free.

A famous priest named Charles Simeon visited Basildon in 1807. He and William Marsh became good friends. They wrote letters to each other often. In 1809, Marsh tried to become the vicar of St. James's in Brighton. But the main vicar there did not agree. So, Marsh had to leave after a few months.

In 1814, Charles Simeon helped him again. Marsh became the vicar of St. Peter's in Colchester. He and Simeon were very interested in helping Jewish people. In 1818, they even traveled to the Netherlands to learn more about Jewish communities there.

In 1829, William Marsh became unwell. He had to leave Colchester. He then moved to Birmingham and became the rector of St. Thomas church. People in Birmingham called him 'Millennial Marsh'. This was because he often preached about the future and the end times.

By 1839, he left Birmingham. He became the priest at St. Mary's in Leamington.

Later Life and Family

From 1848, William Marsh was an honorary canon at Worcester. This was a special title. From 1860 until he died, he was the rector of Beddington, Surrey. He gave many, many sermons throughout his life.

He was a friendly person. He got along well with people from all different religious groups. He passed away on August 24, 1864, at the Beddington rectory.

William Marsh was married three times. His first wife was Maria Tilson. She passed away in 1833. His second wife was Lady Louisa Cadogan. She died in 1843. His third wife was Louisa Horatia Powys.

He had five children. His fourth child, Catherine Marsh, lived with him. She later wrote a book about his life. She also became a successful author herself before her father passed away. His grandson was Mackenzie Dalzell Chalmers.

William Marsh's Writings

William Marsh wrote many books, sermons, and speeches. Here are some of his published works:

• A Short Catechism on the Collects, Colchester, 1821.
• Select Passages from the Sermons and Conversations of a Clergyman, 1823.
• The Criterion. By J. Douglas, revised and abridged, 1824.
• A few Plain Thoughts on Prophecy, Colchester, 1840.
• The Jews, or the Voice of the New Testament concerning them, Leamington, 1841.
• Justification, or a Short Easy Method of ascertaining the Scriptural View of that important Doctrine, 1842.
• Passages from Letters by a Clergyman on Jewish Prophetical and Scriptural Subjects, 1845.
• The Church of Rome in the Days of St. Paul, lectures, 1853.
• Invitation to United Prayer for the Outpouring of the Holy Spirit, 1854. Similar invitations were issued in 1857, 1859, 1862, and 1863.
• The Right Choice, or the Difference between Worldly Diversions and Rational Recreations, 1857.
• The Duty and Privilege of Prayer, 1859.
• Eighty-sixth Birthday. Address on Spiritual Prosperity, 1861.
• An Earnest Exhortation to Christians to Pray for the Pope, 1864.
• A Brief Exposition of St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans, 1865.