PINXTON & SOUTH NORMANTON: HISTORY GROUP

FINAL PART - THE MAN WHO MADE PINXTONTHE REVEREND D’ EWES COKE - A MAN OF MYSTERY

D’ Ewes Coke was ordained as a Priest in December 1771. He straight away appointed himself as Rector of Pinxton having inherited the ‘advowson’ to do so. According to the history of South Normanton St Michael and All Angels Church history by The Reverend Evans (1935) he was also ordained as Rector of South Normanton in the same year. The ‘living’ having been purchased for him by his future father-inlaw George Heywood of Brimington Hall, from the Revels of Camfield Hall.

As previously stated he was Rector of both Parishes for forty years.

A search of both Parish Registers shows that he rarely officiated at formal Baptist, Marriages, or Burial Services during the first two years of his incumbency and not at all for the rest of his period as Rector.

WHY WAS THIS? Further mystery is added because there is evidence he did deliver sermon’s at ordinary Sunday services.

D ‘Ewes’ mother had died when he was ten when his father resigned his commission in the army and left the country to seek his fortune. He never returned to Pinxton dying in Kensington in London on his return, leaving twelve-year-old D’ Ewes an orphan.

In later years Reverend Coke was to confide in his youngest son, John about his life under the roof of Robert Lillyman. An account of this was left by John to his nephew’s son who wrote the ‘Official History of the Cokes’ of Trusley’, published circa. 1880.

‘My father’s guardian ..... having been bred to the Law had acquired a degree of confidence and boldness . . .. which joined with a strong intellect a stern temper, and an authoritative manner caused him to be much respect among the population. My father, from his own account was harshly treated under the roof of his guardian.’

Quoting further from ‘the History’ , it says ‘D’Ewes died at Bath on Good Friday, 12th April 1881. He had been many years troubled by an asthmatic affliction and had lost his sight, which he first injured by etching on copper, of which he was extremely fond, and at which he was a very clever artist. ..... the sense of hearing .... was dull in consequence of a blow on the head ....’

Christian services for Baptisms, Marriages and Burials require the reading of a given legal form of words. This must surely be the reason for the absence of his officiating at formal services.

The obvious conclusion to be drawn was that he could well remember the stories from the Bible which he would recite with gusto at normal Church services, he was unable to conduct special services.

Next Time How John Coke missed the chance of going down in history as being the man behind the world’s oldest railway.