Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Grose, John (1758-1821)
GROSE, JOHN (1758–1821), divine, baptised on 26 Feb. 1758 at Richmond, Surrey, was the eldest son of John Henry Grose [q. v.] of Richmond, by his wife, Sarah Smalley, daughter of John Browning, wool-stapler, of Barnaby Street, Southwark (Richmond Register). The name in the register is spelt, as originally, 'Grosse.' Grose matriculated at St. Mary Hall, Oxford, on 29 May 1783, but did not graduate (Foster, Alumni Oxon. 1715-1886, p. 572). He afterwards received the degree of M.A. He took orders and obtained at various times several small preferments in the church. He was minister of the Tower; lecturer of St. Olave, Southwark; curate of the united parishes of St. Margaret Pattens and St. Gabriel, Fenchurch Street; Wednesday evening lecturer of St. Antholin, Budge Lane; rector of Netteswell, Essex; and lecturer of St. Benet, Gracechurch Street. He was also chaplain to the Countess Dowager of Mexborough. He died at the rectory, Little Tower Street, London, in 1821, his estate being administered to on 14 March of that year by his widow, Anna Carter Eugenia Grose (Administration Act Book, P. C. C., 1821). He was twice married: his first wife, Anne, died in 1787 (Gent. Mag. 1787, pt. ii. p. 837). Besides various sermons, issued singly and in volumes, he published by subscription in 1782 a volume entitled 'Ethics, Rational and Theological, with cursory Reflections on the General Principles of Deism,' vo, London (ib. 1782, p. 442), consisting chiefly of essays which had previously appeared in different periodicals. On 4 May 1780 Grose was elected F.S.A. (Gough, Chronological List of Soc. Antiq. 1798, p. 33).
[Lists of Society of Antiquaries.]