secretary independent minister
He was born at Marden, Kent,on 5 November 1781. His father and grandfather were members of the Church of England, and he was confirmed as an Anglican. But was trained for the dissenting ministry at Hoxton Academy (September 1800–June 1803), under Robert Simpson, Doctor of Divinity His first settlement was at Tonbridge, Kent, in 1803.
In 1806 he became minister of Pell Street Chapel, Ratcliff Highway, where he was ordained on 5 September. But his ministry was not popular. About 1820 he adopted his mother"s maiden name of Russell, and in 1823 obtained the king"s patent for the change.
Soon afterwards he received from a Scottish university the diploma of Master of Arts On the closure of Pell Street Chapel a few years before his death, he became minister of Baker Street Chapel, Enfield, Middlesex.
He was a Coward trustee and, from 1842, a trustee of the foundations of Daniel Williams. He was also secretary of the Aged Ministers" Relief Society.
Contrary to the general sentiment of congregationalists, he was a promoter of the Dissenters" Chapels Acting of 1844. He died at his residence, Penton Row, Walworth, Surrey, on 10 December 1846.
