Revd Benjamin Pratt, A.M

The cover of the Journal shows an oil painting of a clerical gentleman. The painting is in Greensted church (not on display) and on the reverse it has the hand written inscription,

‘The Reverend Benjamin Pratt, A.M., Founder of the Living of Greensted.’

There is no indication how the painting came to be in the church and the mystery deepens as there is no record of a Benjamin Pratt having been the priest at Greensted.

A search on the name revealed that the British Museum have an engraving of the Reverend Benjamin Pratt in its collection (see overleaf). The inscription below the image states that the said Revd. Mr. Benjamin Pratt was:

‘Late Chaplain to the most Noble His Grace George, Duke of Northumberland.

Comparison of the engraving and the painting confirm that they are of the same person.

What the connection is still a mystery.

In the June edition of the Journal we had an article about the mystery painting of the Revd. Benjamin Pratt in Greensted church. I am grateful to Michael Leach for providing the following information which seems to explain the mystery and the connection between St Andrew’s and the said Revd. Pratt.

The Essex Victoria County History (volume 4, page 60-1), provides an explanation. ‘Founder of the living of Greensted’ must refer to the advowson, which passed through many hands, including “Nathan Lacy, rector 1661-1700, (who) married a second wife Mary. After his death, Mary Lacy, widow, presented. Soon after this the advowson was bought by Benjamin Pratt, curate of St Botolph’s, Aldgate, about 1708-15.

By his will, dated 1714, Pratt bequeathed the advowson in trust to the Bishop of London, with the provision that at each presentation the curate of St Botolph’s was to have first refusal. The patronage has subsequently remained with the bishop, subject to this provision.”

There’s probably more somewhere about Benjamin Pratt who obviously had a powerful patron in George, duke of Northumberland – and presumably had adequate means, if he purchased the advowson as a mere curate elsewhere. The duke was the youngest son of Charles II by Barbara Villiers, mistress of the king. He collected a number of titles – baron of Pontefract 1674, viscount of Falmouth and earl of Northumberland 1674, and duke of Northumberland in 1683. He was appointed lord of the bedchamber to James II. John Evelyn the diarist described him as ‘of all his majesty’s children, the most accomplished and worth the knowing.’ Other appointments included Lieutenant General of Berkshire in 1710 and Privy Councillor in 1713.

Copac reveals that Benjamin Pratt published a number of sermons (including some that he preached in Dublin) and was probably an alumnus of Merton College, Oxford. I imagine that he would only have visited Greensted fleetingly, if at all. I wonder why his portrait found its way to the church – perhaps via the bishop of London in gratitude for the generous bequest.