BECHER, JOHN THOMAS, eldest son of Michael Becher, Cork, Ireland, and Catherine French; bapt. 23 Dec 1769; adm. 13 Jan 1783; KS 1784; elected to Christ Church, Oxford 1788, matr. 22 May 1788, Westminster Student 23 Dec 1788 - 23 Oct 1802 (void, expiry year of grace as V. Rampton and Midsomer Norton); BA 1792; MA 1795; adm. Lincoln’s Inn 21 Apr 1788; ordained deacon 15 Jul 1792 (York), priest 1794 (Carlisle, lit. dim. from York); Perpetual Curate of Thurgarton and Hoveringham, Notts., from 13 Dec 1799; Vicar of Rampton, Notts., and Midsomer Norton, Somerset, 11 Mar 1802 (but year of grace from 3 Nov 1801); Prebendary and Vicar-General of Southwell, Notts., from 22 Jan 1818; Vicar of Farnsfield, Notts., 1827 (still 1829); Rector of Barnborough, Yorks., from 1830; Chairman of Quarter Sessions, North Notts., 1806-36; devoted himself to local administration and took a great interest in the social condition of the people; author, The Anti-Pauper System, 1830, and other works on social economy; m. 6 Jan 1802 Mary, dau. of Rev. William Becher, Rector of Cole Orton, Leics., and Prebendary of Southwell; d. 3 Jan 1848. DNB.