[1][2] In 1797 Jerram took holy orders, and served his first curacy at Long Sutton, Lincolnshire; the parish had had a succession of non-resident vicar.
The neighbouring clergy included John Pugh, vicar of Rauceby, at whose house Jerram took part in the discussion which led to the foundation of the Church Missionary Society.
At Chobham, as at Long Sutton, he prepared private pupils for university, and acquired a reputation as a tutor.
Accepted after a while at Chobham, Jerram became a magistrate and became involved in the administration of the Poor Laws, about which he had concerns as leading to pauperism.
[1] About 1824 Jerram left Chobham for St John's Chapel, Bedford Row, though retaining the living.
Charles Richard Sumner as incoming Bishop of Winchester made him a rural dean, and in April 1834 presented him to the rectory of Witney, Oxfordshire; he held it for the rest of his life and his son succeeded him at Chobham.