Henry, Philip

Philip Henry (1631-1696) was a non-conformist minister, ordained a Presbyterian, who struggled to bring himself to conform to the Book of Common Prayer and in the end conscience would not let him, despite the trials that ensued from this decision. He was ejected from his curacy in Worthenbury, and frequently summoned to assizes on various charges. He was a gifted preacher, committed to the parish system, and kept a diary from 1657 that gives an insight into the life of a dissenting minister. He was father of Matthew Henry, another non-conformist minister, and Sarah Savage, a diarist and commentator on the political events of the 17th century.