Knightwick Rectory, painted by, Rev'd James Stillingfleet, M.A.

The Chapel at Knightwick - painted by, Rev'd James Stillingfleet, M.A.

Knightwick Rectory, painted by, Rev'd James Stillingfleet, M.A.

The Chapel at Knightwick - painted by, Rev'd James Stillingfleet, M.A.


Rev. James Stillingfleet figures curiously in the Diocesan Register, as twice Rector of Knightwick. In 1780 he resigned in favour of Richard Kilvert, a youthful cousin of Bishop Hurd, who had been brought into the diocese as his kinsman’s private chaplain, and for whom no suitable parochial preferment was at the moment available; but for whom, as supplementary to one (if obtainable) the Bishop had secured a Prebendal Stall in the Cathedral. Seven years later (in 1793) on the much more lucrative Rectory of Alvechurch falling vacant, Kilvert moved there and Stillingfleet resumed Knightwick.

James Stillingfleet was baptised on 3 October 1729 at St Peter's, Worcester, the son of James Stillingfleet and Anne Fyshe. He was educated at Wadham College, Oxford, matriculating on 20 January 1747/8, aged 18. He graduated B.A. in 1751. He graduated M.A. from Merton College, Oxford in 1754.
James married Katherine Mackworth (the daughter of Herbert Mackworth and Juliana Digby) on 15 August 1767 at St. Marylebone, London, England, by Licence. They had three sons.

He was Prebendary of Worcester (1772); Rector of Knightwick and Dodenham; and vicar of St. Martin, Worcester.

James was listed as a supporter of the Society for Promoting Religious Knowledge among the poor in the 1779 report which the charity published. The report recorded him as Rev James Stillingfleet, College Green, Worcester and that he had been a supporter since 1765.

His wife Katherine died in 1782.

His second marriage was to Elizabeth Hale (the daughter of William Hale and Elizabeth Farnaby). They had three daughters.

His Last Will and Testament was dated 9 February 1816

Reverend James Stillingfleet died on 6 July 1817 and was buried on 15 July 1817 at Worcester Cathedral, Worcester, Worcestershire, England.

In the 88th year of his age, the Rev. James Stillingfleet, 45 years prebend of Worcester Cathedral.
His Will was proved on 30 September 1817 at London by the oath of his widow Elizabeth Stillingfleet, the sole Executrix.


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