Biographical Sketch of Samuel Lee

The Rev. Samuel Lee was born in London, in 1 627; his father was an eminent citizen, greatly esteemed for his private virtues, and lived to a good old age. He appears to have been a man of considerable property. Samuel was educated at St. Paul’s School, under Dr. Gale, and then entered Wadham College, where he studied under the direction of Dr. Wilkins, afterwards the excellent Bishop of Chester. He made great attainments in knowledge and piety, and was so highly esteemed as to be chosen fellow of his college and proctor of the university. There can be no doubt entertained respecting his religion or literature, when it is stated that he served as proctor in 16uG, when Dr. Owen was Vice Chancellor.

In the following year he composed his Temple of Solomon, which he printed in folio, at the request and expense of the University. His reputation as a preacher led him to London, and he was inducted to the living of St. Botolph, the rectory of which was £355 per annum. Here he labored with usefulness and acceptance to his parish, till his ejectment in 1662, by the Bartholomew act. Mr. Lee was, in his view of Church discipline, a Congregationalist, but eminent for the display of charity and catholic spirit. After this trial we find him minister of an independent congregation, at Ncwington Green, near London. But the persecution of the Church party continuingj he determined to escape from the tender mercies of the cruel, and, in 1686, he embarked for New England, where he was received with attention and respect, and soon became pastor of the Church at Bristol, R. I., where he labored for three years, when, hearing of the glorious revolution of 168S, and wishing to enjoy its fruits, and obtain his valuable estate, he became so desirous to return, that he embarked with his family in midwinter. He sailed from Boston for England in the Dolphin, Capt. John Foy. The passage was very tedious, owing to the prevalence of easterly winds, and at length, on the coast of Ireland, they fell in with a French privateer. After a severe resistance, and when in great danger of sinking, they were compelled to surrender, and the Dolphin was carried as a prize to St. Maloes, in France.

52 B

lOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.

After

some detention, his wife and daughter and

iwo servants were sent to England

by the

iing’s order,

while he was retained

a prisoner. Grief a

the loss of his family,

and his

solitary condition in a strange land,

brought

on a fever.

of which he died in a

few days, aged 64.

Ti-