Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Palmer, John (1729?-1790)

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941021Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 43 — Palmer, John (1729?-1790)1895Alexander Gordon

PALMER, JOHN (1729?–1790), unitarian divine, was born about 1729 in Southwark, where his father was an undertaker. His parents were independents, and he was educated for the ministry, in that body, under David Jennings, D.D. [q. v.] In 1755 he became assistant to John Allen M.D. (d. 31 Dec. 1774, aged 72), presbyterian minister at New Broad Street, London. On Allen's removal (1759) to Worcester, Palmer became pastor. The congregation declined, and ceased in 1772 to contribute to the presbyterian fund. On the expiry of the lease of the meeting-house (1780) the congregation was dissolved, and Palmer left the ministry. He was a man of ability and learning; his defence of free-will against Priestley shows power. His religious views coincided with those of his friend, Caleb Fleming D.D. [q. v.] From 1768 he was a trustee of Dr. Daniel Williams's foundations. After 1780 he lived in retirement at Islington, where he died on 26 June 1790, aged 61. He married a lady of considerable wealth.

He published, in addition to funeral sermons for George II (1760) and Caleb Fleming (1779), and a funeral oration for Timothy Laugher (1769): 1. 'Prayers for the use of Families,' &c, 1773, 8vo; 2nd edit. 1785, 8vo. 2. 'Free Thoughts on the Inconsistency; of conforming to any Religious Test as a Condition of Toleration,' &c., 1779, 8vo. 3. 'Observations in Defence of the Liberty of Man as a Moral Agent,' &c., 1779, 8vo. 4. 'An Appendix to the Observations,' &c, 1780, 8vo. 5. 'A Summary View of the Grounds of Christian Baptism,' &c., 1788, 8vo (defence of infant baptism). He edited (1766, 4to) the posthumous commentaries of John Alexander (1736–1765) [q. v.]

[Wilson's Dissenting Churches of London, 1808. ii. 227 sq.; Rutt's Memoirs of Priestley, 1831–2. i. 328 sq., ii. 72, 538; Jeremy's Presbyterian Fund, 1885, pp. 2, 161.]

A. G.