No sketch of Madeley would be complete which did not include a copious
notice of Mr. Fletcher. So many “Lives” of Mr. Fletcher have, however
been written, and are so readily attainable, that we need not enter into
those details appertaining to his parentage, birth, youth, education,
etc., which belong properly to the biographer who writes a book; and we
shall content ourselves therefore with a summary of such matters, in
order the more fully to bring out those traits of character which
distinguished him whilst vicar of this parish.
Jean Guilhaume de la Flechere, to give his proper Swiss name, was born at
Nyon, fifteen miles from Geneva, in the year 1729. He received his
education first in his native town, and then at Geneva, at which latter
place he distinguished himself by his abilities, his thirst for
knowledge, and intense application to study. His biographers relate
boyish incidents and hairbreadth escapes, communicated by himself. His
father before marriage was an officer in the French army, and afterwards
in that of his own country, and young Fletcher on arriving at maturity
resolved to enter the army too, but in consequence of some
disappointments he came to London to learn the English language, and
having done so he obtained a situation as tutor in the family of Mr.
Hill, M.P. for Shrewsbury, who resided at Tern Hall, near Atcham. He was
ordained 1757, and occasionally preached at Atcham, Wroxeter, and the
Abbey church at Shrewsbury, and at St. Alkmunds.
Two years after he was ordained, he was in the habit of occasionally
coming to preach at Madeley, and the year following, through the
influence of Mr. Hill, he was appointed vicar, having chosen it in
preference to a smaller parish with a larger income. Mr. Chambray, the
then vicar, gladly accepting the living Mr. Fletcher declined, thereby
making way for him. One of Mr. Fletcher’s pupils died, the other became
M P. for Shrewsbury; afterwards he represented the county, and finally
was made a peer, under the title of Baron Berwick of Attingham, the name
the house now bears. He appears to have received his appointment to
Madeley in March, 1759.