Background
Jervis was born in Ipswich on 13 January 1748. He was the son of William Jervis (d 24 March 1797, aged 72), minister of the presbyterian congregation in Saint Nicholas Street, Ipswich.
Jervis was born in Ipswich on 13 January 1748. He was the son of William Jervis (d 24 March 1797, aged 72), minister of the presbyterian congregation in Saint Nicholas Street, Ipswich.
He was educated for the ministry in London at Wellclose Square, under David Jennings, and at Hoxton, under Savage, Andrew Kippis, and Rees.
In 1771-1772 he shared with James Perry Bartlett the charge of the congregations at Lympstone and Topsham, Devon. Here he associated with Joseph Priestley, who was Shelburne"s librarian till 1780. He was elected a trustee of Doctor Daniel Williams"s foundations in 1786.
On the death of Kippis he was elected his successor (1796) at Princes Street, Westminster.
Up to this time his views were low Arian, and it is doubtful whether they underwent any further development. In the summer of 1808 he succeeded William Wood as minister of the unitarian congregation at Mill Hill, Leeds.
He resigned this charge, and left the active ministry in 1818. Returning to London, he was re-elected to Doctor Williams"s trust in 1823.
His closing years were spent in literary leisure.
He died at Brompton Grove on 31 August 1833, and was buried in the churchyard of Fryerning, Essex. John Jervis (1752–1820), younger brother of the above, was born at Ipswich in 1752. He was a fellow of the Linnean Society, and a mineralogist.