Besley, John

Besley, John an English Congregational minister, was born at Barnstaple, Dec. 3, 1796. At an early age he removed to Exeter, where he was for some years chorister in the cathedral. He next went to Bristol, where he became connected with a business house. Here he was converted and gave himself to various forms of Christian labor, especially to preaching in cottages and visiting the sick. He soon began a regular course of ministerial preparation, with his brother, the foregoing. At the close of his studies Mr. Besley received a call from the Church at Wincanton. Here he was ordained, and spent five years of earnest labor. He vext removed to Buntingford, where he labored for thirty-six years. At the close of this period, because of personal and family afflictions, he resigned his charge and returned to his native county, where he labored as often as opportunities and health would permit, and died June 26, 1877. See (Lond.) Cong. Year-book, 1878, Sp. 306.