Rectors and Vicars
1228. John Romanus. His legitimacy was doubtful, and he had to obtain a papal dispensation before holding the benefice. He was Canon and first Sub-Dean of York Minster, and afterwards Treasurer and Archdeacon of Richmond. He was the father of the Archbishop of York of the same name. He died in 1256 at an advanced age. It is not known who was his successor in the rectory.
1309. John Truesdale, as rector, laid the foundation of the present church.
Henry de Hemmyngburgh, afterwards Sub-Dean of Lincoln.
1316. Mr. John Barett.
1362. William de Sandford.
John Strensal, rector in 1378 and 1381.
1408. Richard Fleming, afterwards Bishop of Lincoln and Archbishop-designate of York.
1425. John Ickworth.
1431. Richard Layot.
1448. John Marshall.
1462. Roger Cheshire.
1482. William Smyth, the first vicar, presented by the Knights of St. John. All the rectors had been presented by St. Mary’s Abbey. He was prebendary of Heyther in Lincoln Cathedral. He was buried in Boston Church, but his brass, mentioned by Colonel Holles and by Browne Willis, is not now visible.
1505. William Gunays, died at Boston.
1505. Robert Wylburfos, died at Boston.
1512. John Tynemouth, Bishop of Argos, buried in Boston Church.
1524. John Mabledon, D.D., a brother of the Order of St. John. He resigned on a pension of £6, 13s. 4d. per annum.
1536. Brian Sandford, probably an opponent of the changes which had already begun when he was instituted. In 1552, when the church was being spoiled of its plate and furniture, the Corporation order communication to be had with Vicar Sandford for surrendering his benefice.
1554. Robert Richardson, whose tenure of office just coincided with the reign of Queen Mary. He would be the first of eighteen vicars presented by the Corporation of Boston.
1559. William Fiske, preferred to Moulton vicarage.
1561. William Holland.
1583. Lewis Evans.
1584. James Worshippe, M.A., formerly Mayor’s Chaplain.
1592. William Armstead.
1594. Samuel Wright, B.D.; he resigned.
1599. Thomas Wooll, M.A., a Nonconformist. He was presented at the Archdeacon’s visitation in 1606 “that he weareth not the surplice; it hath been tendered to him, and he sitteth upon it.” He was preferred in 1612 to the rectory of Skirbeck.
1612. John Cotton, M.A.: after twenty years of nonconformity he found it necessary to resign his benefice, and flee to America to avoid prosecution. In compliment to him and other refugees the settlement of Trimountain had its name changed to Boston. He died there in 1652.
1633. Anthony Tuckney, D.D., a Nonconformist, Mayor’s Chaplain from 1629, Master of Emmanuel College in 1644, Trinity College in 1653, and Regius Professor of Divinity in 1655 at Cambridge, and therefore non-resident. From 1651 the Corporation paid Banks Anderson (who had since 1643 been minister at Holbeach) £70 per annum to minister in the church; but as he was an antipædobaptist, a separate minister had to be hired to administer holy baptism. Anderson was one of the elders summoned by Cromwell to his Independent Convention at the Savoy in 1658. About the time of his arrival in Boston, a great witch-hunting campaign took place. On the Restoration he formed an Independent congregation; he died in 1668, and was buried in the church. Tuckney resigned his vicarage in 1660, and his other preferments in 1662. He died in 1670.
1660. Obadiah Howe, D.D., a Puritan, previously successively in charge of Stickney and Gedney. His brass is in the chapel.
1683. Henry Morland, M.A., previously Lecturer. He died at Boston.
1702. Edward Kelsall, M.A., previously Master of the Grammar School. He died at Boston.
1719. Samuel Coddington, M.A., also previously Master of the Grammar School. He died at Boston.
1732. John Rigby, M.A., also previously Master of the Grammar School. He died at Boston.
1746. John Calthrop, M.A., also Vicar of Kirkton, and a prebendary of Lincoln Cathedral. He represented the clergy of the diocese in Convocation. He was buried at Gosberton, of which place he was a native.
1785. Samuel Partridge, M.A. He also held the rectory of the south mediety of Leverton till 1797, and was also Vicar of Wigtoft and of Quadring.
1817. Bartholomew Goe, B.A.
1838. John Furness Ogle, M.A., collated by the Bishop of Lincoln under the provisions of the Municipal Reform Act, 1835. He died at Boston.
1851. George Beatson Blenkin, M.A., a prebendary of Lincoln Cathedral, under whom the church was restored. He died at Boston.
1892. John Stephenson, M.A., a prebendary of Lincoln Cathedral. He resigned.
1905. Reginald Thomas Heygate, M.A., a prebendary of Lincoln Cathedral.