Nathanael Salmon

Nathanael Salmon was born on 22 March 1675 at Meppershall Rectory, Bedfordshire, the eldest son of Thomas Salmon, the Rector, and his wife Katherine Bradshaw. He was educated at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge (LLB, 1695).[1]

Salmon was ordained a priest in 1699, but refused to swear allegiance to Queen Anne in 1702 and thereby reject the son of King James II. He resigned as a curate and worked for a time as a physician. He rejected the offer of a parish in Suffolk, although it paid a stipend of £140 a year.[1]

Salmon wrote a number of books on local history, collecting folklore and detailing local customs, and he "could turn a pungent phrase."[1] He travelled extensively in England, carefully observing landscape and recording what he was told of the folklore, as well as current life and conditions. His histories are considered inaccurate, but he usefully published much manuscript material.[1]

Salmon died in London on 2 April 1742,[2] leaving three daughters.[3] He is said to have been buried in St Dunstan's Church, but it is not known which St Dunstan's is meant.[1]

• The History of Hertfordshire, describing the county and its ancient monuments, particularly the Roman, Richardson, London, 1728.
• A New Survey of England, wherein the Defects of Camden are supplied &c, 11 parts, 1728–1729.
• The Lives of the English Bishops from the Restauration to the Revolution, 1731–1733.
• Antiquities of Surrey, collected from the most ancient records, London, 1736.
• The History and Antiquities of Essex, 1740.[4]

• Henry Chauncy

• Leach, Michael (2016). "Nathaniel Salmon (1675–1742), historian of Hertfordshire, Surrey and Essex". Essex Journal. 4th ser. 7: 224–29.