Samuel Fuller

Samuel Fuller or Fulwar (1635–1700), was Dean of Lincoln. Life Fuller was the second son of the Rev. John Fuller, vicar of Stebbing, Essex, who died minister of St Martin's, Ironmonger Lane, in the city of London, and Dorcas, his wife, was born at Stebbing, and baptised 16 July 1635. He was educated at St John's College, Cambridge, taking his degree of B.A. in 1654, M.A. 1658 (M.A. Oxon. 1663), B.D. 1665, D.D. 1679. He was elected fellow of St John's 25 March 1656–7. Kennett tells us that he, together with his elder brother, Dr. Thomas Fuller, fellow of Christ's College and rector of Navenby, Lincolnshire, and Willingale-Doe, Essex, received holy orders before the Restoration from their uncle, Dr Thomas Fulwar (called Fuller by Wood, Fasti Oxon. ii. 29), successively bishop of Ardfert 1641, and archbishop of Cashel 1660–1661. The third brother, Francis, also ordained by his uncle, is described by Kennett as 'an uneasy man,’ never staying long in one place, and died a presbyterian minister. Samuel Fuller became vicar of Elmdon, Essex, 8 August 1663, and resigned the charge in 1668–1669 on receiving the rectory of Tinwell, Rutland, from his patron the Earl of Exeter. William Fuller, bishop of Lincoln, appointed him one of his chaplains, Kennett says, 'for his name's sake,’ and on 25 March 1670 gave him the chancellorship of his cathedral. The next year, 26 June, he became rector of Knaptoft, Leicestershire, and on the death of Dean Brevint was elected dean of Lincoln 6 December 1695. He had previously been appointed chaplain in ordinary to the king. Kennett informs us that Fuller obtained the deanery 'through the interest of the lay lords, who loved him for his hospitality and his wit.' The king, William III, refused for a time to appoint one whose qualifications were rather those of a boon companion than of an ecclesiastic, but at last yielded to importunity. The Exeter family were Fuller's powerful patrons, he having learnt 'how to accommodate himself to the genius of that house.'