Fenton, James (1709-1767)

Comments

Not in Venn, Foster or Dublin alumni.

In Archdeaconry of Richmond Register of Orders (1709) he is recorded (7 July) as Curate of Lindale chapel, Cartmel parish. However, his only licence there was as schoolmaster, dated 2 June 1704.
The Diary and Letter Book of the Rev. Thomas Brockbank, 1671-1709, ed. R. Trappes-Lomax, Chetham Soc., new ser., vol. 89 (1930), 381-3:
On 16 May 1709 the Minister of Cartmel, Thomas Brockbank, wrote to William Lodge, Vicar of Dalton in Furness. Fenton desired to stand as a candidate for Walney Chapel and had sought Brockbank's recommendation of him to Lodge and the inhabitants of Walney: 'He has resided longer in this parish than I have, Reader and Schoolm[aste]r [of Lindale] Chappel, and is certainly a sober, good natured Person, and doubtless Schollar enough to serve that Cure & to teach the neighbouring Children' (381).

On 4 June 1709 he wrote to the Bishop of Chester: 'The bearer Mr Fenton has read prayers and taught school at Lindel Chappell in this parish about 6 yeares, & is now desirous to be ordained Deacon: I presume that Imployment requires orders, and will be a sufficient Title'. Recommending his character, he observes: 'He reads well, and might be usefull to baptize or visit upon occasion &c.' (382-3).

Evidence