Background
Turner was born at Blackwater Farm, near Saint Albans, on 1 March 1710.
Turner was born at Blackwater Farm, near Saint Albans, on 1 March 1710.
He kept a boarding-school at Hemel Hempstead. His pupils there included William Kenrick and Hugh Smith. At the same time he made a reputation as an occasional preacher in Baptist chapels.
In 1741 he was chosen pastor of the Baptist church in Reading, Berkshire.
He moved in 1748 to Abingdon, and held the pastorate there until his death on 5 September 1798. He was buried in the Baptist cemetery at Abingdon.
Turner received the honorary degree of Master of Arts
Turner was twice married: first, to Anne Fanch, by whom he had two sons, who both predeceased him. Secondly, to Mistress Lucas, a widow, of Reading, by whom he had no issue.