He was the sixth son of John Fothergill and his wife Margaret, well-to-do Quakers of considerable means at Carr End, Wensleydale, Yorkshire.
In 1745, his ministerial journeys were much interrupted by the Jacobite rebellion, and from that time till 1750, when he was present at the yearly meeting of the Irish quakers, he chiefly laboured near his residence.
He was part of a circle that encouraged tax resistance, which was at that time a very controversial stand among English Friends, but which, partially through his efforts on his return, became more acceptable.
On his return to England he organised a subscription for the relief of the poverty occasioned by the scarcity of employment round Warrington during the winter of 1756, and resumed his ministerial work until his incessant labours caused a severe illness.
From this time till his death he was unable to take any active part in the affairs of the Society of Friends, and his later years were passed in great suffering.