Collins, Brian Bury (1776-1781)

Comments

VENN
Adm. sizar (age 17) at ST JOHN'S, Feb. 8, 1771. S. of John, painter, deceased [and Elizabeth Jane Bury]. B. at St Michael's, Stamford, Lincs. ' Matric. Michs. 1771; Scholar, 1775; B.A. 1776; M.A. 1780. Ord. deacon (Lincoln) Mar. 3, 1776; C. of Rauceby and Cranwell, Lincs. At first refused by several bishops for priest's orders owing to his ‘field preaching’ in the cause of the Wesleys; subsequently ord. priest (Chester) Oct. 21, 1781 (his title being given him by David Simpson). C. of Christ Church, Macclesfield, 1781-c. 82. Preached in Yorkshire and London in Wesley's and Lady Huntingdon's chapels. Concerning him, John Wesley wrote to his brother Charles, ‘Mr Collins is not under my direction–nor am I at all accountable for any steps he takes’ (June 8, 1780). (For further references see L. Tyerman's Life and Times of John Wesley.) Married Miss Sarah Windsor, Sept. 21, 1780. Inherited the estate of his maternal uncle, Thomas Irwin Bury, who died at Linwood Grange, Blankney, Lincs., July 3, 1799. Described in his uncle's will as the Rev. B. B. Collins, of Bath, ‘well known in the neighbourhood of Leeds as a preacher.’ Assumed, by Royal Licence, Dec. 20, 1799, the surname and arms of Bury only; then described as of Linwood Grange, Lincs., and of Bath, Somerset. Friendly with Venn, Lady Huntingdon and David Simpson. His ministry much appreciated by Hester Anne Roe and others. Probably died soon after Mar. 1, 1807, the date of death of his only son, W. B. Bury. See the correspondence of the Rev. Bryan Bury Collins, M.A., by Mr A. M. Broadley, in Proceedings of the Wesley Historical Society, IX. (St John's Coll. Adm., IV; A. Leedes Hunt, David Simpson, 234.)

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