William Assheton

William Assheton (1641–1711) was an English cleric, a prolific writer and life assurance pioneer. Early life Assheton was born at Middleton, Lancashire, in the year 1641. His father, who was rector of the parish, was one of the ancient knightly family of the place. After a preliminary education at a private country school he entered Brasenose 3 July 1658, where he is said by Anthony Wood to have had a presbyterian tutor, and to have been an attendant at the religious meetings held at the house of Elizabeth Hampton, a laundress. He gained a fellowship of his college in 1663, when he was B.A. Clerical life Having entered holy orders and taken his master's degree, he became a frequent preacher. James Butler, 1st Duke of Ormonde, who was chancellor of the university, appointed him chaplain, and in that capacity he served both in England and Ireland. He gained the degree of D.D. in 1673; next month he had the prebend of Knaresborough in the church of York. The interest of his patron procured him the livings of St. Antholin's, London, and Beckenham, Kent, where he settled in 1676. Later life A few years before his death he was asked to become master of his college, but was too infirm to accept. He died at Beckenham in September 1711, and was buried in the chancel of that church.