Atterbury, Lewis

Atterbury, Lewis father of Bishop Atterbury, was born about the year 1681. He was the son of Francis Atterbury, rector, of Milton, Northamptonshire, who, among other ministers, subscribed the Solemn League and Covenant in 1648. Lewis was entered a student of Christ Church, Oxford, in 1647, took the degree of bachelor of arts February 23, 1649, and was created M.A. by a dispensation from Oliver Cromwell March 1, 1651. He was one of those who submitted to the authority of the visitors appointed by the Parliament. In 1654 he became rector of Great or Broad Rissington, in Gloucestershire, and, after the Restoration, took a presentation for that benefice under the great seal, and was instituted again, to confirm his title to it. On the 11th of September, 1657, he was admitted rector of Middleton or Middleton Keynes, in Bucks, and at the return of Charles II took the same prudent method to corroborate his title to this living. July 25, 1660, he was made chaplain extraordinary to Henry, duke of Gloucester, and on the 1st of December, in the same year, was created doctor in divinity. Returning from London, whither the lawsuits he was frequently involved in had brought him, he was drowned near his own house in the beginning of December, 1693. He published three occasional sermons, the titles of which may be seen in Wood's Athen. Oxon. vol. 2, col. 911. — New Genesis Biog. Dict. 1, 377.