Flamsteed's father always maintained that it was because of his son's ill health that he opposed his studying but Flamsteed, in his correspondence in later life, suggested that his father may have had other motives.
Flamsteed's ama laging pinananatili na ito ay dahil sa kanyang mga anak ng masama sa kalusugan na siya kabaligtaran ng kanyang pag-aaral ngunit Flamsteed, sa kanyang mga sulat sa mamaya sa buhay, iminungkahi na ang kanyang ama ay maaaring ay nagkaroon na ng iba pang motives.