Men of Kent and Kentishmen/Henry Jacob
Henry Jacob
INDEPENDENT MINISTER,
Perhaps of the same stock as the preceding, was a native of Kent, and educated at St. Mary's Hall, Oxford. On taking Orders he was made Precentor of Corpus Christi College, and presented to the living of Cheriton. In 1604, he published "Reasons . . . . . . proving the necessity of reforming our churches in England." To gave himself from the consequences which might have resulted from the propagation of such unorthodox opinions, he fled to Holland, and there became acquainted with John Robinson, which led to his conversion to the principles of the Brownists, since known as Independency. On his return to England, he established a church on the model of those in Holland, which may be considered the first congregational church set up in England. Of this church he became pastor, and so continued till 1624, when he went over to Virginia, where he died soon after. He was the author of several theological works, an account of which, as well as his life, may be found in "Woods' Athenæ Oxon." by Bliss, (q. v.)
[See also "Biographia Britannica," and "Neals' History of the Puritans."]