Deuel Pead
Deuel Pead was a 17th-century preacher and religious writer originally from England, whose life and work spanned both the American colonies and England. After serving in the British navy in 1671, Pead immigrated to Maryland in 1682 and quickly became the minister of Christ Church in Virginia, where he served for seven years. Known for his plainspoken sermons filled with engaging metaphors and anecdotes, he gained a reputation for advocating loyalty to British rule during a time of colonial unrest. His ability to connect with audiences of all backgrounds made his sermons popular, and many were published in periodicals such as the William and Mary Quarterly. In 1691, he returned to England, taking on the role of minister at St. James Church in London. There, he delivered his notable sermon, "The Protestant King Protected: The Popish Kings Detected and Defeated," which celebrated British royalty and was particularly well-received following an assassination attempt on King William III. Pead continued to serve in both St. James Church and Newland St. Lawrence in Essex until his death in 1727. His life reflects the intertwining of religious and political discourse during a transformative period in history.
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Deuel Pead
Nonfiction Writer
- Born: c. seventeenth century
- Died: 1727
Biography
Deuel Pead, a seventeenth century preacher and religious writer, was born in England. Little is known about his early life. In 1671, he served in the British navy. Pead immigrated to the American colonies in 1682, settling in Maryland. The following year he accepted a post as the minister of Christ Church in Middlesex County, Virginia, remaining in that position for seven years. While serving as a minister in Virginia, Pead became known for his sermons, which advocated loyalty to British rule at a time when many colonial citizens were contemplating emancipation from England. Pead’s sermons attracted large crowds because his presentations were plainspoken and infused with metaphors and anecdotes which appealed to all classes of people. Many of Pead’s sermons were printed and appeared in periodicals of the time such as William and Mary Quarterly.
In 1691, Pead returned to England and was appointed minister of St. James Church in London. There he delivered one of his best-known sermons titled The Protestant King Protected: The Popish Kings Detected and Defeated (1696). This sermon, preached in front of a multitude of people gathered at St. James Church, was filled with praise for British royalty. It was especially popular because it was delivered on a day of public thanksgiving after a failed assassination attempt upon King William III. While maintaining his position as minister of St. James Church, Pead was given the rectorship of Newland St. Lawrence, Essex. Pead remained in these two positions until his death in 1727.