Evangelical Anglican, the vicar of Melton Mowbray, Leics. from 1773 to 1820. In his early years he was hostile to the Methodist preachers and attended one of John Wesley's open-air services armed with stones, but was converted and became friendly towards both dissenters and Methodists. 'There is work for us all to do; you are employed in sweeping on one side of the street, and I on the other. Let us do all the good we can.' Charles Wesley met him in London in May 1760. He began holding services in the outlying hamlets in his parish and in 1775 met some of the preachers in Nottingham on their way to the Conference in Leeds. He sent his greetings to Wesley by them, with an invitation to visit him in Melton Mowbray, which Wesley was never able to accept. But in August 1776 Wesley wrote encouragingly: ' Although you do not immediately see the fruit of your labour, this is no reason for being discouraged.'