Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Twells, Leonard
TWELLS, LEONARD, D.D. (d. 1742), divine, received his education at Jesus College, Cambridge, whence he graduated B.A. in 1704 (Graduati Cantabr.) In 1722 he was presented to the vicarage of St. Mary's, Marlborough, Wiltshire (Waylen, Hist. of Marlborough, p. 506). He took the degree of M.A. at Oxford by diploma, 7 Dec. 1733, and was created D.D. in that university, 7 July 1740 (Foster, Alumni Oxon.) In 1737 he was presented to the united rectories of St. Matthew, Friday Street, and St. Peter, Cheapside, London. He was also a prebendary of St. Paul's, and one of the lecturers at St. Dunstan's-in-the-West. He died at Islington on 19 Feb. 1741–2, leaving a large family very destitute.
His works are: 1. ‘A Critical Examination of the late new Text and Version of the New Testament, wherein the editor [William Mace]'s corrupt text, false version, and fallacious notes are detected and censur'd,’ 3 parts, London, 1731–2, 8vo. 2. ‘A Vindication (and a Supplement to the Vindication) of the Gospel of St. Matthew, against a late tract entitled A Dissertation or inquiry concerning the canonical authority of the Gospel according to St. Matthew,’ 2 pts. London, 1735, 8vo. 3. ‘A Second Vindication of the Gospel of St. Matthew,’ London, 1735, 8vo. 4. ‘An Answer to the Enquiry into the meaning of Demoniacks in the New Testament,’ London, 1737, 8vo. 5. ‘An Answer to the Further Enquiry into the meaning of Demoniacks in the New Testament [by Arthur Ashley Sykes], in a second letter to the author,’ London, 1738, 8vo. 6. An edition, published by subscription, of ‘The Theological Works of Dr. Pocock. To which is prefixed an account of his life and writings,’ London, 1740, fol. 7. ‘Twenty-four Sermons preached … at the lecture founded by the Hon. R. Boyle, and eight Sermons preached … at the lecture founded by the Lady Moyer,’ 2 vols. London, 1743, 8vo; 2nd edit. 1755.
[Addit. MSS. 5820 f. 169, 5882 f. 65; Gent. Mag, 1742 p. 107, 1867 i. 209; Lewis's Islington, p. 454; Malcolm's Londinium Redivivum, iv. 487; Nichols's Bibl. Topographica Britannica, iii. 189; Nichols's Illustr. of Literature; Nichols's Lit. Anecd. i. 465–72, ii. 25, iii. 98, vi. 454; Notes and Queries, 2nd ser. xi. 123; Memoirs of Dr. Stukeley, i. 333.]