Hampton Court conference in 1604. Henry was early left an orphan; his parents were buried in the same coffin on 4 Feb. 1642. He was educated by his eldest brother, Robert, who succeeded as rector of Caldicote. On 10 May 1644 he was admitted at St. John's College, Cambridge, but owing to the civil war his studies were intermitted till 10 May 1645. He graduated B.A. 2 Feb. 1648, M.A. 1 July 1651. On 24 Sept. 1647 he became schoolmaster at Congleton, Cheshire, and soon began to preach. He was already married when, on 22 Aug. 1648, he received presbyterian ordination at Sandbach, Cheshire. He had a prospect of settlement at Alvanley Chapel, in the parish of Frodsham, Cheshire; but in October 1648 he received a unanimous call to the perpetual curacy of Goostrey, Cheshire, through the interest of his wife's cousin, Henry Manwaring of Kermincham, in whose house he subsequently lived. He entered on his duties at Goostrey on 23 Nov. 1648, but Manwaring's interest soon obtained for him the rectory of Gawsworth, Cheshire, to which he removed on 8 April 1650. He visited Manchester for the first time on 19 Sept. 1651, and found some of his mother's relatives. On 25 Dec. he subscribed the 'engagement' of fidelity to the existing government, much against the grain, for he was always a royalist. He had already taken the 'league and covenant.' He was closely associated with the religious work of John Machin (1624-1664) [q.v.] In October 1653 he joined with Adam Martindale [q. v.] in the establishment of a clerical union for Cheshire on the model of Baxter's Worcestershire agreement.
On the death of Richard Hollinworth [q. v.], Newcome was elected (5 Dec. 1656) one of the preachers at the collegiate church of Manchester. After much hesitation he settled in Manchester on 23 April 1657. His ministry was exceedingly popular. He became a member of the first presbyterian classis of Lancashire, attending for the first time on 12 May 1657. He sat as delegate in the Lancashire provincial assembly in 1658 and 1659. His presbyterianism was not of a severe type; and he entered warmly into the abortive proposals for an accommodation with independents formulated at Manchester on 13 July 1659.
Newcome was deeply involved in the preparations for a royalist rising (5 Aug. 1659) under George Booth, first lord Delamer [q.v.] After the rout at Northwich (29 Aug.), Lilburne put Henry Root (1590?-1669) [q.v.] the independent into Newcome's pulpit (25 Aug.), and he expected to be deposed, but his ministrations were only interrupted for one Sunday. As early as 6 May 1660 he publicly prayed for the king 'by periphrasis.' He conducted a religious service as preliminary to the proclamation of the king at Manchester on Saturday, 12 May. His thanksgiving sermon (24 May) produced a great impression. It was published with the title 'Usurpation Defeated and David Restored.'
The Restoration was fatal to his preferment. The constitution (1635) of Manchester collegiate church, which had been subverted in 1645, was restored, and three new fellows were installed (17 Sept. 1660). Great efforts were made to retain Newcome. A petition from 444 parishioners was backed by a testimonial signed among others by Sir George Booth and Henry Bridgeman [q. v.] On 21 Sept. Charles II added his name to the list from which fellows were to be chosen, but it was too late. The new fellows all had other preferments, so Newcome continued to preach as their deputy; his last sermon in the collegiate church was on 31 Aug. 1662, the Sunday after the coming into force of the Uniformity Act. Suggestions were made that he should receive episcopal ordination privately, but this was a point on which he would not give way.
He remained in Manchester till the Five Miles Act came into force (25 March 1666), and then removed to Ellenbrook, in Worsley parish, Lancashire. At this time he travelled about a good deal, making three visits to London. In June 1670 he visited Dublin, and received a call (25 July) to succeed Edward Baynes at Wine Tavern Street meeting house, which he declined. On 15 Oct. 1670 he returned to Manchester, preached in private houses, and was fined for so doing. He took out a licence (21 April) under the indulgence of 1672, and preached publicly, first in his own house, and then in a licensed barn (at Cold House, near Shudehill) after evening church hours. These services were interrupted in 1674 and discontinued in 1676, but he remained in Manchester, performing such private ministrations as he could. In February 1677 he was offered a chaplaincy to the widowed Countess of Donegall; he stayed five weeks at her house in London, but declined the situation. On the appearance (4 April 1687) of James's declaration for liberty of conscience, he preached publicly, first in a vacant house, then (from 12 June) in Thomas Stockton's barn, which was speedily enlarged, and opened (31 July) for worship 'in the public time.' He took his turn monthly at Hilton's lecture at Bolton, Lancashire. On 7 Aug. John Chorlton [q. v.] was engaged as his assistant.
