Revd Richard Beadon (1737 - 1824 (aged 87))

April 21. At his house in The Circus, Bath, aged 87, the Rt. Rev. Father in God Richard Beadon, D.D. Lord Bishop of Bath Wells. This prelate was a native of Somersetshire, and was educated at Tiverton, whence he removed to St. John’s College, Cambridge. He was nearly related to the wife of Dr. John Newcome, Master of St. John’s, a very learned and excellent woman, who is noticed in the “Literary Anecdotes,” vol. vii. p.286. Dr. Newcome, who died in 1765, appointed him one of his executors, and left him a considerable part of his fortune. In 1758 he stood high among the Wranglers for his Degree, and was also a successful candidate for one of the prizes for the best dissertation in Latin prose. Having proceeded B.A. in 1738, and M.A. 1761, he became a Fellow of St. John’s College, and was appointed Orator of his University.

He was presented to the Rectory of Stanford Rivers in Essex; and in 1775 appointed Archdeacon of London. He took the Degrees of B.D. 1769, and D.D. 1780. In 1781, he was elected Master of Jesus College, which he resigned in 1789. The present Duke of Gloucester having been sent to Cambridge, and entrusted to Dr. Beadon’s peculiar care, his conduct secured the Royal favour, and paved the way to his subsequent high eminence in the church. His first dignity was that of Archdeacon of London; was nominated in 1789 to the See of Gloucester; and in 1802 was translated to that of Bath and Wells. He printed a Fast Sermon, preached before the House of Lords, April 19, 1793, 4to.

On the 30th April the Bishop’s remains were conveyed to Wells. The body lay in state at the Palace four hours. At three o’clock the funeral procession moved to the Cathedral in grand state. Major Beadon (sic), the late Bishop’s son, was the chief mourner. The Rev. Archdeacon Trevelyan read the ceremony; and some of Handel’s best pieces were performed. The throne and pulpit were covered with fine cloth and crape; a mourning mantle surmounted the throne. A solemn dirge was performed over the grave to great effect. The solemnity of the occasion was increased by the tolling of the great bell of the Cathedral (muffled) and by all the shops being closed. In Bath, where the memory of his lordship will be cherished with lasting affection, the bells of the churches were tolled at intervals during the day, and on Sunday in the pulpits, &c. of the different churches exhibited emblems of mourning.

Richard Beadon was born and baptized on the 15th April 1737, at Pinkworthy, Devon, the son of Richard and Mary Beadon. He was educated at Blundell’s School and St John’s College, Cambridge. He married Rachel Gooch and they had one son (Captain) Richard Beadon, who was born in Stanford Rivers on the 2nd August 1779.

He was rector of Stanford Rivers from 1775 until 1802. He became a Doctor of Divinity in 1780.

The following newspaper items relate to his career with the church.

The Right Hon. Lord Hyde, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, has presented the Rev. Mr. Beadon, Public Orator of Cambridge University, to the valuable living of Stanford Rivers, in the County of Essex.

From the Salisbury and Winchester Journal 10th July 1775.

Beadon was Archdeacon of London, from 1775–1789

Friday last, a dispensation passed the great seal to the Rev. R. Beadon, B.D. enabling him to hold the rectory of Little Burstead, in this county, together with the rectory of Stanford Rivers, in the same county, worth £520 per annum.

From the Ipswich Journal 9th September 1775

Chelmsford October 6th 1775.
Yesterday passed the great seal, a dispensation to the Rev. Rich. Beadon, B.D. enabling him to hold together with the rectory of Stanford Rivers, the rectory of Orsett, both in this county, worth £750 per ann.

From the Ipswich Journal 7th October 1775.

The Rev. Richard Beadon, D.D. late fellow of St John’s college and public orator of the University of Cambridge is appointed by the Bishop of Ely, to the Mastership of Jesus College, in the room of the Rev. Dr. Caryl.

From the Newcastle Courant 7th July 1781

The King has been pleased to order a Congé d’élire to pass the Great Seal empowering the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Gloucester to cleft a Bishop of that See, void by the translation of the Right Reverend Father in God Samuel, late Bishop thereof, to the See of St. Asaph; and his Majesty has also been pleased, by his Royal Sign Manual, to recommend the Rev. Richard Beadon, Doctor in Divinity, to be chosen, by the said Dean and Chapter, Bishop of the said see of Gloucester .
From the Derby Mercury 28th May 1789

Dr. Beadon, the new Bishop of Gloucester, will retain, by commendum, the rectories of Stanford Rivers and Orsett, which he holds in Essex, value £800 per annum.

From the Stamford Mercury 29th May 1789.

Beadon remained Bishop Gloucester until 1802, when he was translated to the see of Bath and Wells, 1802. He died at Bath on the 21st April 1824, and is buried in Gloucester Cathedral.

He was kindly and hospitable to his clergy and his neighbours. For the last few years of his life he was rendered incapable of discharging his episcopal duties by the infirmities of age. He did not neglect the opportunities which his bishopric afforded him of forwarding the interests of his family. He made his son Richard the chancellor of the diocese, and when the rich episcopal manor of Wiveliscombe fell in also granted it to him on a lease for three lives.

His only published works are two sermons, one preached before the House of Lords on a public fast-day, 19th April 1798, and the other before the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel.