Griffith, John (1796-1827)

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VENN
Adm. sizar at EMMANUEL, July 7, 1791. Of Carmarthenshire. S. of –, yeoman. B. Jan. 9, 1772, at Kidwelly, S. Wales. School, Carmarthen. ' Matric. Michs. 1791, as Griffiths; B.A. 1795; Scholar, 1796; M.A. 1798; B.D. 1805. Fellow, 1797-1809. Ord. deacon (Ely) Feb. 21, 1796; priest (Lincoln) May 23, 1798; C. of Girton, Cambs., 1796. Minor Canon of Ely, 1800-61. P.C. of St Mary's, Ely, Cambs., 1800-27. P.C. of Stuntney, 1827-61; V. of Fulbourn, 1827. Chaplain of the Bishop's gaol, at Ely, from 1815, in which capacity he had to attend prisoners, driven in a cart for execution at the gallows in Parnell pits. The five Littleport agrarian rioters were amongst their number. The Chaplain, ex officio, was presented with the rope after each hanging. Griffith left a collection to his housekeeper, who sold them for the cure of sore throats. Married Ann Phelps, widow (née Hughes), 1809. A remarkable personality and an esteemed preacher; long remembered for his rich store of anecdotes. The moving spirit in starting the first National School in Ely. Benefactor to Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge. Died Aug. 31, 1861, aged 89. Buried at St Mary's, Ely. M.I. (Kenelm H. Smith; Crockford; G. Mag., 1861, II. 452.)

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