jessey attended the university of cambridge from 1618–24; he was at st. john's college, cambridge in 1622, b. a. (1623). he was ordained as an anglican priest in 1627. he was vicar of assington, or simply resident in the family of brampton gurdon and then visited new england. he was vicar of aughton, east riding of yorkshire from 1633; but was deprived of his living in 1634. he was then supported by sir matthew boynton, who found him places to preach.