John Saffery

John Saffery (1763-1825) was an active supporter of the BMS and popular hymn writer. He served as pastor of the Baptist church at Brown Street, Salisbury, 1790-1825, succeeding Henry Phillips (1720-1789). He was originally from Portsea. His first wife was Elizabeth Horsey, daughter of Joseph Horsey, Baptist minister at Portsea. After her death in 1798, he married Maria Grace Andrews (1772-1858), poet, novelist, and hymn writer, the following year. Saffery was succeeded at Brown Street by his son, Philip (see entry below). See G. A Moore and R. J. Huckle, Salisbury Baptist Church 1655-2000 (Salisbury: n.p., 2000), 21-27; Brian Talbot, “John Saffery (1763-1825),” in The British Particular Baptists, ed. Michael A. G. Haykin, 5 vols. (Springfield, MO: Particular Baptist Press, 1998-2019), 3:43-83.