Ferrar Nicholas

Ferrar, Nicholas (1592-1637), a religious enthusiast, was educated at Clare Hall, Cambridge, of which society he became fellow in 1610. He then studied medicine for five years upon the Continent, and afterwards set up as a merchant in London. In 1624 he was returned to Parliament, and the next year he- established a religious community at Little Gidding in Huntingdonshire, taking deacon's orders in 1626. The little community of 30 was made up of himself, his brother, his brother-in-law, and their families. Their work of bookbinding was combined with many services and much prayer. Charles I. visited them in 1633, and again in 1642. The fellowship was broken up by the Puritans. An account of the community will be found in John Inylesant.