KINGSBRIDGE 73 



Several of the ejected ministers sought refuge in Kings- 

 bridge, among whom was the Rev. John Hicks. He was 

 born in 1633, at Moorhouse, Kir kly wick, near Thirsk, in 

 Yorkshire. He became minister of Stoke Damerel, Devon- 

 shire, which being in the gift of the crown, he was obliged 

 to quit at the restoration of King Charles, when he re- 

 moved to Saltash, in Cornwall, but at the passing of the 

 Bartholomew Act of 1662, he gave up his benefice, and 

 came, with his wife and children, to Kingsbridge. 



Here he held religious meetings, and took all opportunity 

 that offered for preaching; but for many years he met 

 with great persecution, especially from Justice Beare, and 

 he was harassed by the Bishop's Court ; but his great spirit 

 carried him through with cheerfulness. He seems to have 

 been generous, frank, and daring to a fault; and for some 

 things he suffered, he had reason to blame himself. On 

 one occasion, when a warrant was out against him from 

 the Kingsbridge justices, for preaching, and two messengers 

 came to take him in charge, he answered their abusive 

 words by lifting his cane and thrashing them soundly. 

 After this, he determined to reach the ear of the King; 

 and took his horse, and rode to London. By means of 

 one whom he well knew, and who was then a favourite 

 at court, he was introduced to the King's presence, and 

 laid before him the state of things at Kingsbridge. The 

 king told him he had abused his ministers and the justices 

 of the peace. He replied, "Oppression, may it please 

 your Majesty, makes a wise man mad. The justices, 

 beyond all law, have very much wronged your Majesty's 

 loyal subjects, the Nonconformists, in the west." He 

 instanced several particulars, and spoke with such presence 

 of mind and ingenuity, that the King heard him with 



