Hugh Todd

Hugh Todd (c.1657–1728) was an English cleric and academic, known also as an antiquarian and author. Life Born at Blencow, Cumberland, about 1658, he was son of Thomas Todd, rector of Hutton in the Forest , who was ejected by parliamentary sequestrators and imprisoned at Carlisle. On 29 March 1672 he matriculated at The Queen's College, Oxford, graduating B.A. On 4 July 1677, and becoming taberdar of the college. In the following year, on 23 December, he was elected a fellow of University College. He proceeded M.A. on 2 July 1679, and accumulated the degrees of B.D. and D.D. on 12 December 1692. In 1684 Todd became vicar of Kirkland in Cumberland, but resigned the charge on being installed a prebendary of the see of Carlisle on 4 October 1685. In 1685 he was collated to the vicarage of Stanwix in the same county, which he resigned in 1688, on becoming rector of Arthuret, presented by Richard Graham, 1st Viscount Preston. In 1699 he was also appointed vicar of Penrith. In 1702 William Nicolson became bishop of Carlisle. From early in his episcopate he clashed with Todd, who was uncompromising. After several minor disputes, in one of which Todd made his curate a churchwarden, Todd, with the dean Francis Atterbury, undertook to defend the chapter against the bishop, who exhibited articles of inquiry against them. Todd denied the right of visitation to the bishop, declaring that it belonged to the crown. For this conduct he was first suspended and then excommunicated by Nicolson, but continued to officiate in his parish as priest, ignoring the bishop's action.