D'Ewes Coke
Encyclopedia
The Reverend D'Ewes Coke (1747 - 12 April 1811) was rector
of Pinxton
and South Normanton
in Derbyshire
, a colliery owner and philanthropist
.
He married Hannah, heiress of George Heywood of Brimington
.
in 1747, the only son of George Coke (1725–1759) of Kirkby Hall, Nottinghamshire, and of his wife Elizabeth, daughter of the Reverend Seth Ellis. George Coke was himself the son of another D'Ewes Coke (died 1751), of Suckley
, and of his first wife, Frances Coke, daughter and co-heiress of William Coke of Trusley
, and was the only one of their three children to survive childhood. Coke's father died in 1759, when his son was only about twelve.
The name D'Ewes came from Coke's great-grandmother Elizabeth d'Ewes, who was the mother of the first D'Ewes Coke. A daughter of Sir Willoughby d'Ewes, 2nd Baronet, of Stowlangtoft Hall, Suffolk
, she was the wife of Coke's great-grandfather Heigham Coke of Suckley. Her grandfather was Sir Simonds d'Ewes, 1st Baronet.
Coke's own family can be traced back to the 15th century and includes such notable figures as George Coke
, a Bishop of Hereford
just before the English Civil War
, and Sir John Coke
, Secretary of State
to King Charles I
.
Coke's family owned collieries in Pinxton
, where Coke later paid for a school and a schoolmaster's residence to be erected.
Coke was a cousin of Daniel Coke
(1745–1825), a barrister
and member of parliament
.
and St John's College
, Cambridge
, where he was admitted a pensioner on 13 October 1764, his father being named as George Coke, Colonel of the 3rd Dragoons
, of Kirkby Hall, Nottinghamshire.
Entering the ministry
of the Church of England
in 1770, Coke was ordained a deacon
on September 23 of that year and priest
on December 15, 1771, both in the Diocese of Coventry and Lichfield, and held the rector
ies of Pinxton and South Normanton
, Derbyshire, from 1771 to 1811.
He married Hannah, daughter of George Heywood (died 1818) of Brimington Hall, Nottinghamshire, where Coke spent his later years. They had three sons, the eldest being another D'Ewes Coke (1774–1856), who was Coke's heir and became a barrister. The second son also went into the law and became Sir William Coke (1776–1818), a judge in Ceylon. Coke's third son was John Coke DL
(died 1841), who served as High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire
in 1830. John Coke was also instrumental in founding the Pinxton China factory
, on land rented from his father. All three sons played a role in the establishment of the Mansfield and Pinxton Railway
, which opened in 1819.
The family portrait on this page by Joseph Wright of Derby
was painted about 1782, just after Coke and his wife had inherited Brookhill Hall, near Pinxton
. It shows them with Coke's cousin Daniel Coke
at a table in the open air, under a large tree. The focus of the composition, and apparently the object of discussion, is a sheet of paper held by Daniel Coke, which may relate to the unseen landscape. Wright places D'Ewes Coke at the apex of a triangle, with his gaze towards his wife, while the other two look away from the small group. The meaning of the painting has been lost. Coke became a member of Derby Philosophical Society
which was formed when Erasmus Darwin
moved to Derby.
Coke died at Bath on April 12, 1811, and was buried at Pinxton.
, Coke established an educational charity
at Pinxton, leaving five pounds a year from the profits of his collieries to buy books for poor children. In 1846, the books were generally given to children attending an unendowed school.
Rector
The word rector has a number of different meanings; it is widely used to refer to an academic, religious or political administrator...
of Pinxton
Pinxton
Pinxton is a village on the eastern boundary of Derbyshire in the Bolsover district, England.In Anglo-Saxon times it was a small agricultural community, thought to have been recorded in the Domesday Book as "Esnotrewic." It is also thought that it was known as "Snodeswic," given by Wulfric Spott to...
and South Normanton
South Normanton
South Normanton is a medium-sized ex-mining village two miles east of Alfreton, Derbyshire and is approximately 155 metres above sea level at one of the highest points, near St...
in Derbyshire
Derbyshire
Derbyshire is a county in the East Midlands of England. A substantial portion of the Peak District National Park lies within Derbyshire. The northern part of Derbyshire overlaps with the Pennines, a famous chain of hills and mountains. The county contains within its boundary of approx...
, a colliery owner and philanthropist
Philanthropist
A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
.
He married Hannah, heiress of George Heywood of Brimington
Brimington
Brimington is a civil parish within the borough of Chesterfield in north-east Derbyshire, England. The town of Staveley is to the east, and Hollingwood is nearby...
.
Background
Coke was born at Mansfield WoodhouseMansfield Woodhouse
Mansfield Woodhouse is a large village about 2 kilometres north of Mansfield itself, in Nottinghamshire, England. With a history dating back before the Romans, it is still noteworthy for its stone built town centre...
in 1747, the only son of George Coke (1725–1759) of Kirkby Hall, Nottinghamshire, and of his wife Elizabeth, daughter of the Reverend Seth Ellis. George Coke was himself the son of another D'Ewes Coke (died 1751), of Suckley
Suckley
Suckley is a village and civil parish in the Malvern Hills District in the county of Worcestershire, England, close to the border with Herefordshire...
, and of his first wife, Frances Coke, daughter and co-heiress of William Coke of Trusley
Trusley
Trusley is a parish and small village in South Derbyshire.The manor was given to Henry de Ferrers together with many villages in Derbyshire for his contribution to the Norman Conquest. More recently the hall and manor house have been the homes of the Coke family...
, and was the only one of their three children to survive childhood. Coke's father died in 1759, when his son was only about twelve.
The name D'Ewes came from Coke's great-grandmother Elizabeth d'Ewes, who was the mother of the first D'Ewes Coke. A daughter of Sir Willoughby d'Ewes, 2nd Baronet, of Stowlangtoft Hall, Suffolk
Suffolk
Suffolk is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in East Anglia, England. It has borders with Norfolk to the north, Cambridgeshire to the west and Essex to the south. The North Sea lies to the east...
, she was the wife of Coke's great-grandfather Heigham Coke of Suckley. Her grandfather was Sir Simonds d'Ewes, 1st Baronet.
Coke's own family can be traced back to the 15th century and includes such notable figures as George Coke
George Coke
George Coke was successively the Bishop of Bristol and Hereford. After the battle of Naseby in 1645, Hereford was taken and Coke was arrested and taken to London. He avoided charges of High Treason in January 1646 and died in Gloucestershire that year.-Biography:Coke was the son of Richard and...
, a Bishop of Hereford
Bishop of Hereford
The Bishop of Hereford is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Hereford in the Province of Canterbury.The see is in the City of Hereford where the seat is located at the Cathedral Church of Saint Mary and Saint Ethelbert which was founded as a cathedral in 676.The Bishop's residence is...
just before the English Civil War
English Civil War
The English Civil War was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians and Royalists...
, and Sir John Coke
John Coke
Sir John Coke was an English politician.Coke, the son of Richard and Mary Coke of Trusley, Derbyshire, was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge...
, Secretary of State
Secretary of State
Secretary of State or State Secretary is a commonly used title for a senior or mid-level post in governments around the world. The role varies between countries, and in some cases there are multiple Secretaries of State in the Government....
to King Charles I
Charles I of England
Charles I was King of England, King of Scotland, and King of Ireland from 27 March 1625 until his execution in 1649. Charles engaged in a struggle for power with the Parliament of England, attempting to obtain royal revenue whilst Parliament sought to curb his Royal prerogative which Charles...
.
Coke's family owned collieries in Pinxton
Pinxton
Pinxton is a village on the eastern boundary of Derbyshire in the Bolsover district, England.In Anglo-Saxon times it was a small agricultural community, thought to have been recorded in the Domesday Book as "Esnotrewic." It is also thought that it was known as "Snodeswic," given by Wulfric Spott to...
, where Coke later paid for a school and a schoolmaster's residence to be erected.
Coke was a cousin of Daniel Coke
Daniel Coke
Daniel Parker Coke , was an English barrister and member of parliament.-Early life:Coke was the only son of Thomas Coke , a barrister, and his wife, Matilda Goodwin . He belonged to an old Derbyshire family, the Cokes of Trusley...
(1745–1825), a barrister
Barrister
A barrister is a member of one of the two classes of lawyer found in many common law jurisdictions with split legal professions. Barristers specialise in courtroom advocacy, drafting legal pleadings and giving expert legal opinions...
and member of parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
.
Life and family
Coke was educated at Repton SchoolRepton School
Repton School, founded in 1557, is a co-educational English independent school for both day and boarding pupils, in the British public school tradition, located in the village of Repton, in Derbyshire, in the Midlands area of England...
and St John's College
St John's College, Cambridge
St John's College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. The college's alumni include nine Nobel Prize winners, six Prime Ministers, three archbishops, at least two princes, and three Saints....
, Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
, where he was admitted a pensioner on 13 October 1764, his father being named as George Coke, Colonel of the 3rd Dragoons
3rd The King's Own Hussars
The 3rd Hussars was a cavalry regiment in the British Army, first raised in 1685. It saw service for three centuries, before being amalgamated into The Queen's Own Hussars in 1958.-The Glorious Revolution:...
, of Kirkby Hall, Nottinghamshire.
Entering the ministry
Anglican ministry
The Anglican ministry is both the leadership and agency of Christian service in the Anglican Communion. "Ministry" commonly refers to the office of ordained clergy: the threefold order of bishops, priests and deacons. More accurately, Anglican ministry includes many laypeople who devote themselves...
of the Church of England
Church of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
in 1770, Coke was ordained a deacon
Deacon
Deacon is a ministry in the Christian Church that is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions...
on September 23 of that year and priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
on December 15, 1771, both in the Diocese of Coventry and Lichfield, and held the rector
Rector
The word rector has a number of different meanings; it is widely used to refer to an academic, religious or political administrator...
ies of Pinxton and South Normanton
South Normanton
South Normanton is a medium-sized ex-mining village two miles east of Alfreton, Derbyshire and is approximately 155 metres above sea level at one of the highest points, near St...
, Derbyshire, from 1771 to 1811.
He married Hannah, daughter of George Heywood (died 1818) of Brimington Hall, Nottinghamshire, where Coke spent his later years. They had three sons, the eldest being another D'Ewes Coke (1774–1856), who was Coke's heir and became a barrister. The second son also went into the law and became Sir William Coke (1776–1818), a judge in Ceylon. Coke's third son was John Coke DL
Deputy Lieutenant
In the United Kingdom, a Deputy Lieutenant is one of several deputies to the Lord Lieutenant of a lieutenancy area; an English ceremonial county, Welsh preserved county, Scottish lieutenancy area, or Northern Irish county borough or county....
(died 1841), who served as High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire
High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire
’The High Sheriff is the oldest secular office under the Crown. Formerly the High Sheriff was the principal law enforcement officer in the county but over the centuries most of the responsibilities associated with the post have been transferred elsewhere or are now defunct, so that its functions...
in 1830. John Coke was also instrumental in founding the Pinxton China factory
Pinxton Porcelain
Pinxton Porcelain was a porcelain works created by John Coke and William Billingsley in Pinxton in Derbyshire, England.-Biography:Pinxton Porcelain was founded on land rented from the Reverend D'Ewes Coke's third son who went into business with the businesman and porcelain painter William...
, on land rented from his father. All three sons played a role in the establishment of the Mansfield and Pinxton Railway
Mansfield and Pinxton Railway
The Mansfield and Pinxton Railway was an early horse-drawn railway company in the United Kingdom, constructed in 1819 to transport coal between Mansfield and the head of the Pinxton branch of the Cromford Canal and thence by the Erewash Valley and the Trent to Leicester...
, which opened in 1819.
The family portrait on this page by Joseph Wright of Derby
Joseph Wright of Derby
Joseph Wright , styled Wright of Derby, was an English landscape and portrait painter. He has been acclaimed as "the first professional painter to express the spirit of the Industrial Revolution"....
was painted about 1782, just after Coke and his wife had inherited Brookhill Hall, near Pinxton
Pinxton
Pinxton is a village on the eastern boundary of Derbyshire in the Bolsover district, England.In Anglo-Saxon times it was a small agricultural community, thought to have been recorded in the Domesday Book as "Esnotrewic." It is also thought that it was known as "Snodeswic," given by Wulfric Spott to...
. It shows them with Coke's cousin Daniel Coke
Daniel Coke
Daniel Parker Coke , was an English barrister and member of parliament.-Early life:Coke was the only son of Thomas Coke , a barrister, and his wife, Matilda Goodwin . He belonged to an old Derbyshire family, the Cokes of Trusley...
at a table in the open air, under a large tree. The focus of the composition, and apparently the object of discussion, is a sheet of paper held by Daniel Coke, which may relate to the unseen landscape. Wright places D'Ewes Coke at the apex of a triangle, with his gaze towards his wife, while the other two look away from the small group. The meaning of the painting has been lost. Coke became a member of Derby Philosophical Society
Derby Philosophical Society
The Derby Philosophical Society was a club for gentleman in Derby founded in 1783 by Erasmus Darwin. The club had many notable members and also offered the first institutional library in Derby that was available to some section of the public.-History:...
which was formed when Erasmus Darwin
Erasmus Darwin
Erasmus Darwin was an English physician who turned down George III's invitation to be a physician to the King. One of the key thinkers of the Midlands Enlightenment, he was also a natural philosopher, physiologist, slave trade abolitionist,inventor and poet...
moved to Derby.
Coke died at Bath on April 12, 1811, and was buried at Pinxton.
Legacy
In his WillWill (law)
A will or testament is a legal declaration by which a person, the testator, names one or more persons to manage his/her estate and provides for the transfer of his/her property at death...
, Coke established an educational charity
Charitable organization
A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...
at Pinxton, leaving five pounds a year from the profits of his collieries to buy books for poor children. In 1846, the books were generally given to children attending an unendowed school.