John Angier

John Angier (1605–1677) was an English nonconformist minister.

Angier was from Dedham, in Essex, where he was baptised 8 October 1605. At his own desire was brought up to be a preacher. At the age of twelve he was a grave child; but during his stay at Cambridge University as an undergraduate of Emmanuel College 'he fell off to vain company and loose practices.' He took his B.A. degree in 1625/6. His father subsequently died while he was from home, and whilst staying at his mother's house he came under the influence of John Rogers, of Dedham, one of the most forceful of the puritan preachers.

Angier liveded for some time with Rogers, and afterwards with a Mr. Witham. He is next found boarding, studying, and sometimes preaching, at the house of John Cotton, of Boston, Lincolnshire, which was frequented by puritan ministers. Here he met Ellen Winstanley, a native of Wigan, the niece of Mrs. Cotton, and married her at Boston church 16 April 1628. After the birth of his first son he planned with other ministers to go to New England; but he made a journey into Lancashire to his wife's relations. He preached a sermon at Bolton, and one of the hearers made him promise to preach at Ringley chapel. In spite of his fainting in the pulpit on this occasion, the Ringley people were determined to have Angier as their pastor, and in September 1630 he accepted their call, and settled with them. Ecclesiastically his case was unusual. By the interest of Cotton he was ordained by Lewis Bayly, bishop of Bangor, but without subscription; and he remained a nonconformist to the Anglican ceremonies to the end of his days.

Angier's diocesan was John Bridgeman, bishop of Chester, who dealt with him mildly and was rebuked by William Laud. He was, however, suspended from Ringley after about eighteen months' service. Denton chapelry was at this time vacant by the suspension of its puritan minister, and the choice of the people was directed towards Angier, who settled with them in 1632, and remained their pastor, with some interruptions caused by the troubles of the time, for more than forty-five years. He was twice excommunicated, and his congregation often were disturbed by the ruling powers. It was thought that he had some hand in a book reflecting on Laud, which was discovered at ; but in his diary he professed his innocence of it. Angier escaped serious persecution.

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