Page:Men of Kent and Kentishmen.djvu/93

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AND KENTISHMEN.
79

Feversham, and devoted himself to the study of the natural history and antiquities of the neighbourhood. His services in this respect were recognised by his election as a Fellow of the Antiquarian Society in 1755. He republished the old play of "Arden of Feversham" in 1770, with a preface, in which he gave "some reasons for its being the earliest dramatic work of Shakespeare." He also published a "History of the Town and Port of Feversham," and "An account of the more perfect plants growing spontaneously about Feversham, with a select view of the Fossils of Sheppy." He died in 1788.

[See "Gentleman's Magazine" 1788.]

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