Mordecai Cary - Early Years

Early Years

Mordecai Cary was born in London on 7 August 1687 and baptized eight days later at St Faith-under-St.Pauls' He was the eldest son of John Carrey, citizen and cook, of Ivy Lane, who married Jane Cheese on 15 June 1684 at Temple Church. His grandfather was William Cary, gunsmith, of Tower Hill. He was educated at the bluecoat charity school, Christ's Hospital, entering on 13 July 1695. On the 7th May 1705 he received a scholarship to Trinity College, Cambridge and was admitted 19 May 1705 at age 17, from which he received his B.A. 1708/9, Fellow, 1711, M.A. 1712.

In 1709, Dr Richard Bentley, classical scholar and Master of Trinity College, Cambridge, applied to the board of Christ's College for Mordecai to travel abroad under the tutelage of older graduate, Mr James Jurin (1684–1750), as being "the best way for their improvement and rising in the world". Mordecai was subsequently granted ₤29.16.8. at his setting out in 1709. They travelled to Leyden, one of the most important centres for the study of medicine and natural Philosophy during the eighteenth century to attend the lectures of Hermann Boerhaave. Mordecai and Jurin became lifelong friends.

On 23 May 1714 Mordecai was ordained deacon in London.