Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Jekyll, Thomas (1646-1698)
JEKYLL, THOMAS (1646–1698), divine, born on 16 July 1646 in the parish of St. Stephen, Walbrook, London, was the eldest son of John Jekyll, dealer. He entered Merchant Taylors' School in 1652 (Register, ed. Robinson, i. 212), was admitted a commoner of Trinity College, Oxford, on 4 Sept. 1663, and graduated B.A. in 1667, and M.A. in 1670 (Wood, Fasti Oxon., ed. Bliss, ii. 297, 319). By 1674 he was vicar of Rowde, Wiltshire, by 1680 he had been presented by the Haberdashers' Company to Mr. Jones's lectureship at Newland, Gloucestershire, and by 1681 he was minister of the New Church in St. Margaret, Westminster. During the Roman catholic revival under James II he instituted a free school in connection with the New Church for the instruction of fifty poor children in the doctrines of the church of England and general knowledge. In 1694 he proceeded D.D. as a member of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge (Graduati Cantabr. 1659–1823, p. 260). He died in October 1698, and was buried on the 7th in the New Church (Luttrell, Relation, 1857, iv. 436), when a funeral sermon was preached by his old friend John Williams, bishop of Chichester. There is an inscription to his memory written by himself. He left a widow, Elizabeth, and three sons and five daughters (will P. C. C. 216, Lort).
By desire of a patron Jekyll was accustomed when residing at Rowde to preach twice a year at Bristol. He incurred the enmity of an influential clergyman in that city, and on attempting to preach there on 31 Jan. 1675 he was mobbed, taken before the mayor, and accused of infamous crimes. To vindicate his reputation he published the sermons which he intended to have delivered as ‘Peace and Love recommended and persuaded,’ 4to, London, 1675. At Newland he gave dire offence by his sermon preached on fast day, 22 Dec. 1680, entitled ‘Popery a great Mystery of Iniquity,’ 4to, London, 1681, which he printed for the sake of such secure protestants ‘that will hardly believe there is a popish plot, or that ever it should take effect.’
Jekyll also published: 1. ‘True Religion makes the best Loyalty,’ 4to, London, 1682, a sermon prepared for the Duke of Monmouth and his followers, who intended to meet at St. Michael, Cornhill, on 21 April 1682, afterwards delivered at the New Church on Restoration day, 29 May following. 2. ‘A brief and plain Exposition of the Church Catechism (Prayers and Graces for children),’ 8vo, London, 1690 (another edit. 1696), composed for the use of his school.
[Wood's Athenæ Oxon. (Bliss), iv. 682–3.]