John Hervey

Born at Hardingstone, near Northampton in 1714, Hervey was educated at the grammar school there and at Lincoln College, where he came under the influence of John Wesley.

Ultimately however, while retaining his regard for the men of the Holy Club and his sympathy with their religious aims, he adopted a thoroughly Calvinist creed, and resolved to remain within the Anglican Church.

Having taken orders in 1737, he held several curacies and in 1752 succeeded his father in the family livings of Weston Flavell and Collingtree in Northamptonshire.