John Galton MA (Oxon) (1578 - 1662)

Descendants

Died 23 May 1662 at age 84 in East Lulworth, Dorset, England

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Biography

The Rev John Galton MA was educated at University College, Oxford (BA 24 Nov 1601, MA 31 Jan 1605/6). He was later Chaplain of New College, Oxford, and became vicar of East Lulworth, Wool and Coombe Keynes in Dorset, as well as Chaplain to the Dowager Viscountess Howard of Bindon.

His father Hubert's will reveals that Francis was his third son, leaving John and Samuel Galton of East Lulworth as the only candidates for his first and second sons. Edward, his fourth son, became vicar of Coombe Keynes and Wool after him, as well as Rector of Wareham, before moving to Northamptonshire.

There is an obituary to the Rev John Galton MA in Latin in the East Lulworth Parish Register, which reads: "John Galton, Master of Arts and onetime chaplain at the college of the Blessed Virgin (commonly called New College) Oxford. A man of integrity who led an exemplary life. Minister at the church of East Lulworth for fifty-three years and for above thirty years the chaplain of Combe Keynes and Wool. Born 20 February 1578 (presumably 1579 as date calculated using 25 March as New Year’s Day), died 23 May 1662. Buried in the chancel of the parish church 3 July [presumably 1662]."

In e-mail correspondence of 11 January 2022, Jennifer Thorp, Archivist of New College, Oxford confirmed:

" Every Oxford college was slightly different. In this college the chaplains were not fellows, due to the peculiarity of our Foundation Statutes (late-14th century). New College Fellows under the original statutes were simply scholars who had successfully completed two years of membership after matriculation (i.e. before they got their degrees) because all that a fellowship here entitled them to was accommodation in college and certain emoluments or living expenses. They had no teaching or research responsibilities and were exempt from the university's public examinations until the much-needed reforms of the 19th century. The chaplains were not housed in fellows chambers here but had a series of rooms under the Hall (in the two undercrofts), partly shared with the boy choristers until 1726 when a new Chamber for the chaplains 'was fitted up over the Kitchen Stairs' after their old accommodation was found to be 'damp and unwholsesome' (Warden Biggs' notebook of Orders & resolutions 1721-1735, ref. NCA 3527). This in itself suggests that if any chaplain was married, his wife and family resided outside the college but I would be surprised if any of our chapel staff were allowed to marry, and our fellows certainly were not (when they married they had to resign their fellowship) until the 1870s. The duties of those chaplains by the early 1600s who were not Precentor or Sacristan were, presumably, still as in the Founder's day (see extract from rubric 45 of the Founder's Statutes below):

'In order that the Divine Office be celebrated each and every day in our College Chapel and that a full, complete and truly devout service of praise be made to God, we will, ordain, and state that in addition to the Warden and seventy Scholars and Fellows abovementioned, there should be thirteen (being sufficiently educated, moral, and of good conversation) who shall act as acolytes and serve in the Chapel at these Offices each every day as is their due; and that of these thirteen ten shall be Priests and three Chaplains: those who are priests and clerks shall be of good voice and well-trained in the arts of singing and preaching. Those who are priests and chaplains shall have control of the Chapel and shall be bound to lead and instruct all other Fellows and Scholars in singing, chanting, and reading, and shall lead the singing and reading as is suitable.'

In time the number of chaplains rose to ten"

In a separate e-mail of the same date, Jennifer Thorp confirmed: "For the first part of the seventeenth century we have Long Books for Sept 1603- to Aug 1604 (NCA 4189); Sept 1604 to March 1605, i.e. first two terms only (NCA 4190); Sept 1606 to August 1607 all four terms (NCA 4191). He is named in all of these three volumes for each term that survives. We also have the Long Book for Sept 1612 to Aug 1613 (NCA4192) in which he is not mentioned."

These records infer that the Rev John Galton MA left his post as Chaplain of New College, Oxford to marry and start his family, which also explains his move to become vicar of East Lulworth (1610).

The Rev John Galton, MA, is the nine times great grandfather of Mark Lindley-Highfield of Ballumbie Castle.

Sources

• Oxford University Alumni [Alumni Oxonienses], 1500-1886, vol.2 1500-1714, p.544
• Clergy of the Church of England Database (CCEd), (John GALLON) Dispensation of 29/4/1611, Faculty Office grant - 27, 4, 1611. Gallon - 'preacher of God's word', BL, Add. MS 39533 (Dispensation Rolls), Vicar of Coombe Keynes. Also Vicar of East Lulworth and Chaplain to Gracie, Viscountess Dowager de Bindon.
• Obituary. England. East Lulworth, Dorset. 1662. GALTON, Rev John. DHC ref: PE-ELU/RE/1/1. www.ancestry.co.uk : accessed 06 January 2022.
• Client reports of Valerie Brenton, Qualified Genealogist, to Mark Lindley-Highfield of Ballumbie Castle, January 2022 and March 2022
• E-mail correspondence of Jennifer Throrp, Archivist of New College, Oxford, to Mark Lindley-Highfield of Ballumbie Castle, of 11 January 2022 (2 e-mails).