Thomas Scott

Thomas Scott (1747–1821) was born in Lincolnshire, England. He worked on his father’s farm but he also studied Greek and Latin. In 1772, he sought to be ordained and he became the curate of Stoke Goldington and Weston Underwood. In the late 1770’s he embraced the gospel and took over the Olney pulpit in 1781. In 1785, he became the Lecturer of Lock Hospital in London, where he was a favorite preacher of William Wilberforce, Henry Thornton, and Hannah More. In 1803, he moved to Aston Sandford, Buckinghamshire. He is known for founding the Lock Asylum, the Church Missionary Society and his Commentary for the “Family Bible.”

Curiosmtih features:
Illustrative Notes on The Pilgrim's Progress.
The Force of Truth.

Father – John Scott, a farmer.
Mother – Mary Wayet, of Boston.
Wife – Jane Kell. Died in 1790.
Second wife – Egerton.

Children:

• Anne, died at 4.
• John – Educated at Magdalene College, Cambridge. His father’s biographer. Vicar of North Ferriby and Minister of St. Mary’s, Hull.
• A son that died in infancy.
• Thomas – Educated at Queen’s College, Cambridge. Became minister of Gawcott, Bucks.
• A son who died early.
• Benjamin – A son born in London. Educated at Queen’s College, Cambridge and was a vicar.
• Elizabeth – A daughter born in London. Married in 1811.

Friends:

• John Newton – longtime friend and spiritual guide.
• William Carey – he highly valued Thomas Scott’s preaching.
• John Pearson – surgeon at Lock Hospital and long-time friend.
• William Wilberforce – attended his preaching and made Lock Hospital chapel his regular church.
• Edward J. Eliot – attended his preaching.
• Henry Thornton – attended his preaching.
• Hannah More – attended his preaching.
• Ambrose Serle – attended his preaching.
• Lord and Lady Dartmouth – attended his preaching.
• Henry Venn - he highly valued Thomas Scott’s preaching.
• Charles Simeon – good friend.
• William Cowper – helped revise Force of Truth.

Timeline of his life:
1747 – Thomas Scot was born.
1772 – He sought to be ordained and he became the curate of Stoke Goldington and Weston Underwood.
1774 – He married Jane Kell.
1775 – He was the curate of Ravenstone and Weston Underwood.
1777 – Seeking out truth in books and  the influence of John Newton brought about a new spiritual birth in evangelical doctrine.
1779 – He published “The Force of Truth.”
1781 – Thomas Scott begins curacy of Olney.
1785 – He became the Lecturer of Lock Hospital in London.
1888 – He began his Bible commentary or Scott’s “Family Bible.”
1790 – He was the afternoon lecturer at St. Mildred’s on Bread Street.
1790 – His first wife died.
1791 – Married his second wife Egerton.
1801 – He gave up his Sunday morning Lectureship at St. Margaret’s, Lothbury.
1801 – He became rector of Aston Sandford, Buckinghamshire.
1803 – He moved to Aston Sandford, Buckinghamshire.
1807 – It was conveyed to him a D. D. degree from Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Reference:
The Life of Thomas Scott by Downer, A. C. and Oxon, M. A.