Background
Ford was born on 13 September 1797 at Long Melford in Suffolk, where his father, the Review David Ford, was congregational minister.
Ford was born on 13 September 1797 at Long Melford in Suffolk, where his father, the Review David Ford, was congregational minister.
In 1816 he entered Wymondley College, and in 1821 became congregational minister at Lymington in Hampshire. During the twenty years of his residence in this town he published seven books of psalm and hymn tunes harmonised for four voices. A chorus for five voices—‘Blessings for ever on the Lamb’ (1825?).
A song, ‘The Negro Slave’ (1825).
‘Progressive Exercises for the Voice, with illustrative examples’ (1826). ‘Observations on Psalmody’ (1828?).
And in 1829 the ‘Rudiments of Music,’ the eleventh thousand of which was issued with the author"s final revisions in 1843. Besides these musical productions Ford also published a sermon on John xi.
Other essays of a similar kind were entitled ‘Chorazin.
Or an Appeal to the Child of many Prayers,’ 1841. ‘Damascus; or Conversion in relation to the Grace of God and the Agency of Manitoba,’ 1842. ‘Laodicea; or Religious Declension,’ 1844.
And ‘Alarm in Zion.
Or a few Thoughts on the Present State of Religion,’ 1847. In 1841 Ford accepted an appointment from the Congregational Union to visit the stations of the Home Missionary Society, and in 1843 took the oversight of a newly formed church in Manchester. Here he remained till 1858, when he retired from stated service as a resident minister.
He, however, still continued to preach to other congregations in various parts of the country till 1874, when cataract, beginning to affect his vision, compelled him to desist.
He died at Bedford 23 October 1875 at the age of seventy-eight.