Transcript

of

Matthew Arnold’s Royal Descent

Devon & Cornwall Notes and Queries vol. VI, (January 1910 to October 1911), pp. 111-2.

by

M.P. Coode

Prepared by Michael Steer

Matthew Arnold (24 December 1822 - 15 April 1888) was an English poet and cultural critic who worked as an inspector of schools. He was the son of Thomas Arnold, the famed headmaster of Rugby School, and brother to both Tom Arnold, literary professor, and William Delafield Arnold, novelist and colonial administrator. The article, from a copy of a rare and much sought-after journal can be downloaded from the Internet Archive. Google has sponsored the digitisation of books from several libraries. These books, on which copyright has expired, are available for free educational and research use, both as individual books and as full collections to aid researchers.

Note 114. MATTHEW ARNOLD'S ROYAL DESCENT (V., par. 32, p. 47). - 1. Elizabeth, wife of Revd. John Vinicombe, was the daughter of Revd. Charles Ford, a Priest Vicar of Exeter Cathedral - vide slab on floor of south transept of Cathedral. A full copy of the inscription on this slab is given in Polwhele's History of Devon (1797), Vol. II., I. Diocese of Exeter, page 32.

2. George, a son of Mr. Chas. Ford, was baptised 24 Deer., 1673. John, another son, on 2nd Feb., 1676. Elizabeth, daughter, on 21 Feb., 1678, and Mary, daughter, on 25 Feb., 1682.

The floor slab mentions all these except George, and also gives a son, Charles, whose baptism is not recorded in the Cathedral Register.

If George was the son of Revd. Chas. Ford, as seems probable, the latter could hardly be the man who married Margaret Coningham in Aug., 1674.

3. In regard to this marriage record it may be noticed that there are three marriages interposed between 22nd April and 2nd June, of 1674, v i z., one of Decr., one without date, and Margaret Coningham's of August. The register thus becomes unreliable. But even if these marriages belong to 1673 the birth of George in Dcer., 1673, is not explainable.

As regards date, therefore, the alleged Chudleigh marriage of Nov. 1671 is more likely.

4. It might assist this investigation - if the locality of the alleged Dorothy Chudleigh marriage were stated.
                    M.P.Coode