Life
?1635-1685; Baptist nonconformist; b. Brinny nr. Cork; parents
Catholics; educated by benevolent landlord; employed as clerk to pilchard
fisherman who persuaded him to convert bringing him into so much obloquy
that he moved to England; dg. of Baptist minister and did translations
for a living; wrote the Plea for the Non-Conformist (1683) a part
of which was construed as libel, resulting in his imprisonment in Newgate,
where his wife and children died of starvation and then, finally him too;
also issued A Narrative of the Sufferings of T.D. (1684); the Plea
was frequently reprinted, one edition bearing a preface by Defoe, scourging
Dissenters for their meanness in not paying the £67 for his release. (1685).
written during imprisonment. [CAB] DIW.
Princess Grace Irish Library (Monaco)