Comments
VENN
Adm. sizar at ST JOHN'S, Apr. 17, 1761. [Only] s. of John, of [Heyside, near Shaw], Lancs. (and Hannah). B. [1741], at Royton, Lancs. Nephew of Benjamin (1745). School, Manchester Grammar. ' Matric. Michs. 1761; B.A. 1765; Chancellor's (Classical) medal, 1765; M.A. 1768. Adm. at the Middle Temple, May 4, 1761. Ord. deacon (Norwich, Litt. dim. from Lincoln) Mar. 3, 1765; priest (Lincoln, Litt. dim. from Chester) Dec. 22, 1765. V. of Eastham, Cheshire, 1766-97, and P.C. of Bromborough, 1767-97. R. of Handley, 1787-97. Preb. of Chester, 1783. Archdeacon of Chester, 1786-97. Although the value of Eastham was only £30 a year and that of Bromborough £13, previous incumbents had been unable to assert their rights or to enforce tithe payments, and had lived on charity or died insolvent. Having private means, Travis determined to vindicate these rights, and, single-handed, carried on the contest from court to court. After expending some £2000 on the struggle he succeeded in raising the value of the livings to over £100 a year. Resided at Eastham all his life. Married, 1766, Ann, dau. and co-beiress of James Stringfellow, Esq., of Whitfield, Derbyshire. Author, The Defence of the Three Heavenly Witnesses; Letters to Gibbon (which called forth Porson as an antagonist), etc. Died, s.p., Feb. 24, 1797, at Hampstead; buried there Mar. 6. M.I. in Chester cathedral. (Manchester Grammar Sch. Reg.; St John's Coll. Adm., III. 671; D.N.B.; Inns of Court.)