My Genealogy Home Page:Information about Thomas Stoughton
Reverend Thomas Stoughton (b. Abt. 1557, d. Bef. 02 Apr 1612)
Notes for Thomas Stoughton:
Reverend Thomas Stoughton
of
Naughton and Coggeshall Parishes
“Thomas Stoughton, only child of Francis and Agnes his wife must have been a very small child at the time of his Father’s death, for he did not matriculate at Cambridge (from Trinity) until 1573. He received his B.A. degree from Queens College in 1577, was made a Fellow of the College in 1579 and became Master of Arts in 1580, “in the Bishop’s Chapel within his Manor of Bugden.” He was ordained deacon and priest at Lincoln February 13, 1581-82. In July 1586 he was installed Rector at Naughton near Ipswich in Suffolk and remained there until July 1594 under the patronage of John Moore, following the previous Rector, Richard Tamplin upon his retirement.”
“The church at Naughton, still standing dates from the early past Norman period and was obviously built by the Normans upon a Saxon foundation. The Tower lacks buttresses, a style of architecture preferred by the Normans, but the font within the church displays markings which are plainly Saxon. An unbroken record of the Rectors has been kept from Ran de Cockfield in 1300 to the present day.”
“Early in his career the Reverend Thomas became attracted towards the Presbyterian movement which came into some prominence about the middle of Elizabeth’s reign. Though the activities of its members seldom progressed beyond discussion, their doctrines were unacceptable to the authorities and many clergymen suffered deprivation of their livings for professing them. This Presbyterian movement was not the foundation of the later Presbyterian movement of the Civil War times, but actually the starting point of the Congregationalists who later found a home in New England. the editor of the Minute Book of the Dedham Classis states that “the movement was made possible and as far as it succeeded, successful owing to the support of the gentry such as Lord Rich.” It was Lord Rich who in December, 1600 presented Thomas Stoughton to the living of Coggeshall in Essex, of which he was deprived because of his opinions in 1606.”
Coggeshall is within five miles of Stisted. It was a haven for Flemish Weavers seeking refuge from the intermittent persecution of the Protestants in the Netherlands. The people, originally of Coggeshall, were known as “Paycocks” and were sheep farmers who turned to cloth merchanting, upon the influx of the Flemish. They precipitated the
prosperity of the town, in the 16th century by the introduction of their distinctive and
improved cloth techniques. This was to the material advantage of the whole region. “Coggeshall Whites” became one of the highest quality cloths in England.
The general reputation of Coggeshall, however, was less flattering. The epithet “Coggeshall Job”, implied something ludicrously inept. The story oft told is of the day when the town clock chimed only eleven strokes at noon. But it was rumored the Lexden town clock (at Colchester, not far away) had currently struck twelve at eleven o’clock. So Coggeshall sent a deputation with a pony and trap to bring back the missing stroke. It is also hear-say that this yarn had its origin in jealousy.
As one proceeds up Church Street, with its many ancient buildings, the picturesque Woolpack Inn and the Parish Church of St. Peter-ad-Vincula will be seen. The church, it would be noted, is an unusual perpendicular structure, as it is a parallelogram without chancel or apse. Much of it has been rebuilt after it was bombed in W.W.II. There is a monument to the Paycocks inside. The church and Inn make an attractive stopping place, but our main concern is with Reverend Thomas Stoughton, Rector at St. Peters from 1600-1606. He is said to have been sharply inclined towards the Presbyterianism of the early Tudor period. This theology advocated a radical questioning of the current Ecclesiastical affairs. The beliefs here were diagramatically in opposition to the Authoritarian church management, which was influenced by John Knox in Scotland and so obnoxious to good Puritans later on. (e.g. his writing: “A Treatise Against Poperie”)
“In the minute book of the Dedham Classis we find frequent mention of Thomas Stoughton, beginning with Oct. 22, 1582, when he was chosen one of thirteen persons for the assembly. He signed his name ‘Thomas Stoughton.’ On March 4, 1582-83 “the place of the next meeting appointed at Barfold at Mr. Stoctons.” At a meeting in Boxford “Mr. Chapman, Mr. Stocton and Mr. Morse crave the judgment of some Godly
men in Cambridge touching the Sabbath.” The state of the question is this: first that there is a Sabbath; second, it is not a whole and natural day; third that we be not bound with the same rest that was with the Jews.” Upon what trivial questions men argued and yet, they were questions which rocked the foundations of society and proved to be anything but trivial. Men often forfeited their freedom, even their lives when they dared to question the accepted interpretation of the Bible ! How we rejoice and have profited because they were thinking men and had the courage to stand for their convictions regardless of the consequences to themselves. Thomas Stoughton was one of those resolute men who suffered great privations because of his opinions on the burning issues of that turbulent period of English history.”
“We find Rev. Thomas appointed as moderator, speaker and to conferences with other ministers, even papists, on many occasions. He frequently asked advice about
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his dealing with members of his parish or relating to his own personal affairs in connection with the church. It is notable how frequently, in those religiously disturbed times, no answer is given and no action taken upon his requests. Any spoken word or definite action might bring censure from the Bishops with direful results, as Thomas Stoughton experienced later. So it is apparent in this minute book of the Dedham Classis that the people feared to take a stand. To illustrate: At Coggeshall, Sept. 7, 1584 with Mr. Stocton moderator we find, “Mr. Stocton moved weather he might safely in conscience preach, being requested there unto, he being yet no minister. It was not dealt in.” On Feb. 7, 1584 at an extraordinary meeting held in Dedham, Mr. Andrews wanted to depart from Wenham to be a teacher. “Mr. Stocton was against his departure and said further that he might not go from being a pastor, which was a higher calling, to be a teacher, which was inferior.” but to this reason some brethren answered that in these disordered times, they thought it might be wherein every teacher doth for the people’s good extort.” No action. On August 2, 1585, at Coggeshall there appears a significant entry. “Mr. Stocton asked weather the contents before the chapters, (in the Bible) might be read, many of them being collected wrong.” Again, referred to further consideration. What heresy! He questioned the word of God as written! Even then, he was laying the foundation for being deprived of the living of Coggeshall !”
On Sept. 6, 1585, at Peldon: “Mr. Stocton moved the brethren to advise him what he might do in a matter where unto he was entreated and called by common consent, viz., to accept of a living. The brethren thought it very convenient he should accept the calling, if his affection stood with the people and that he might have a lawful calling to them and quietly pass through the Bishop’s hands.” This promotion, in Kent, evidently was canceled, for he was still attending meetings in Essex in Mar. 1586. Later, June 27, 1586, “Mr. Cricke required the brethren’s advice for Mr. Stocton accepting of Nawton living which they all agreed unto.” These calls of Thomas Stoughton seem to be one of the very few questions upon which a definite conclusion was reached. One wonders if the good men were glad to rid themselves of this man with a questioning mind and accepted with alacrity the opportunity to wish him God Speed in another parish.”
“Not a year had passed before our Thomas was in trouble at Naughton for we read: April 3, 1587 at Peldon “Mr. Cricke moved the brethren to give their advice weather Mr. Stocton should leave Nawton having been at so great charge and like to be more and none would bear any part with him and yet having tried his right it was feared he should not be at quiet. It was thought good he should move some to talk with Mr. More and if he would not defend his right and bear his charge, then to leave it. Some thought it hard to leave the people and make Mr. More begin suit afresh again.” But, even after the above “Mr. Stocton” continued to be a moderator, speaker, questioner and dissenter. After Dec. 2, 1588 we find no further reference to “Mr. Stocton” in the Minute Book of the Dedham Classis.”
“The Book of Induction’s among the muniments of the Archdeacon of Sudbury states that Thomas Stoughton was deprived of the living at Naughton, date not given, and
that Edward or Edmund Stubbin was presented as his successor July 29, 1594. This date
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and the fact that the baptism of Thomas, the son of the Rev. Thomas and Katherine, his wife is recorded in the Naughton Parish Register July 9, 1588 and the baptism of his son, John, January 23, 1592-93, may be a basis for the deduction that he continued to serve the parish until at least after the baptism of John.”
“The will of his Uncle Thomas Stoughton of St. Martin’s Parish, Canterbury shows that Thomas Stoughton, the minister of Suffolk, had two daughters before 1591, the date of the will. “The two daughters of my nephew Thomas Stoughton, minister, ?20 each at marriage.” Rev. Thomas’ son, Thomas was probably born very soon after institution at Naughton and John shortly before he was deprived of the living there. From this time until he was presented by Lord Rich to the living of Coggeshall in Essex on Dec. 12, 1600, we have no record. His son Israel was baptized at Coggeshall February 18, 1602-3, his wife Katherine being buried there the April following. In July 1605, Mar(y) Stoughton, who may have been his daughter, was married to John Manfield. He was deprived of the living of Coggeshall and his successor, Ralph Cudworth, was admitted on the presentation of Lord Rich, April 6, 1606. ”
“The reasons for his removal have not yet been learned but as with many another minister of the time, the grounds may have been nonconformity to the established Church of England. He may therefore never have held another pastorate.”
Thomas Stoughton seems to have questioned everything and everyone, as the minute book of the Dedham Classis (of which he was a vociferous member) shows. In 1586 he had received the living (The Ministry of the Church) at Naughton, Suffolk, not ten miles from Ipswich. But he was deprived, (fired) within the decade, presumably for his incautious, albeit courageous, nonconformity. He removed to Coggeshall and was presented to the living of St. Peters by Lord Sir Robert Rich, the Puritan First Earl of Warwick, on 12 December 1600. His son Israel was baptized here on 13 February 1581/82. His wife Katherine was buried there the following April. But even the Earl of Warwick could not shield Stoughton from his inquisitive tongue and Thomas, probably wisely, decided to pursue life elsewhere.
In 1606 Reverend Thomas Stoughton was finally silenced, at Coggeshall, when he was removed, most likely due to disagreements with the Authorities. He withdrew to Sandwich, Kent, where he was born and seems to have eked out a meager and impecunious existence, “from my poore lodging in the Poore Hospital called St. Bartholomew’s by Sandwich,” possibly as an underpaid chaplain.
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“It is uncertain where Rev. Thomas lived after the time of his deprivation. He for a while presumably carried on active ministerial work somewhere in the Eastern part of England. His name appears in 1606 with a group of ministers mentioned in the will of Timothy St. Nichols In 1610, Alice Wade, widow of Bildeston , Suffolk, left 20s by will to “Mr. Stoughton, a silenced preacher.” In 1615 his son (Rev.) John, in a letter not dated as to place, sends a message to his tutor at Emanuel College. from his father. Charles Evers of Grays Inn, London, willed Rev. Thomas of St. Bartholomews in Sandwich, Kent, 10 pounds in 1619. ”
“From his several Treatises now in the British Museum, additional facts regarding his thinking and place of living are revealed.”
1. “A General Treatise Against Poperie.” Brit. Mu. 3932. ba. 30. by Thomas Stoughton, Minister of the word. Dedicated “To the Right Honorable and Most truly religious Vertuous Lord, Robert Lord Rich.”
“Dated from Billerica in Essex, 7th of March 1597. Preface. “To the Christian Readers especially to my Worshipful and other loving friends in Kent, London, Essex, Suffolk and elsewhere.” Printed by John Legat, Printer to the Universitie of Cambridge 1598.”
2. “The Dignitie of God’s Children.” Brit. Mu. 3227. a.a. 5. Printed by Thomas Harland for Thomas Man the Younger at his shop at Flowre de Luce and Crowne in Paul’s Church yard 1610.
3. “To the Nobility and Gentry of Great Britain.” Written from “Much Totham” in Essex, April 1610. Dedicated to “The Inhabitants of those places where at any time, especially last of all, I have had a settled Miniesterie.”
This contains many scriptural quotations and also from Peter Martyr, Calvin and Ecol am padius.
Much Totham is about six miles from Coggeshall.
4. “Two Profitable Treatises.” Brit. Mu. 4371. a.a. 27. Dedicated to the “Right Worshipful Master William Elwood, Maior and his twelve brethren the Jurats of his Maiesties Towne and Port of Sandwich in Kent.” Written from my chamber in the Hospital of St. Bartholomew’s by Sandwich Sept. 3, 1616.”
“Printed by Edward Griffin for Arthur Johnson at the sign of the White Horse, 1616.”
“This treatise reveals that he was in the hospital of St. Bartholomew’s,
Sandwich, in 1616 and that he was born and bred in Sandwich, Kent. “I am bold in two
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fold respect to present and to dedicate unto you; first because I was bred and born in your town; secondly because of the kindness’ that both here to fore and also of late I have received from you...instruments that God hath used for my relief.”
“There follows a very beautiful and tactful but searching exhortation to the suppression of the Ale Houses; mentioning as examples there-to “Those two most worthy Knights, Sir Thomas Middleton and Sir Thomas Hayes, late Lord Maiors of the Citie of London.” He also mentions that Elizabeth Wheatenhall of Ten(t)(d)erden in Kent “10 years old, brought up in the house of her Uncle Sir Henry Wheatenhall, East Peckham, could say the New Testament by heart..”
5. “The Christian Sacrifice as set Forth in Romans XII, 1,2,.” Brit. Mu. 4371.b.20.
“Printed by William Jones 1622 “with the Author’s postscript to his children as it were his last will and Testament unto them.”
“Dedicated to Robert Earle of Warwick and Baron Leitz and his most hopeful younge son & heir Robert, Lord Rich.”
“He thanks the Earle of Warwicke, now deceased, to whom he dedicated the first fruits of his labors about twenty four years past because of his Christian care of the Churches in Essex of which he was a patron. Also---” For the honorable favors of the Earle of Warwicke, now deceased, unto me a mere stranger unto him and unknown, but only by the commendatorie testimony of Mr. John Butler of Toby, Esquire, now at rest with the Lord.” There are many quotations from classical authors to grace this benediction.”
“As though this were his last word to his children he wrote:
“Deare Children
I am now going the way of all the earth and by age am ready to leave this world.”
He bequeaths to his children his “Christian Sacrifice” as also my three former Treatises.
1. Against Poperie, published 1598.
2. Dignitie of God’s Children, published 1610.
3. David’s Love for the Word of God, published 1616
He states that God’s mercies to him were greater then to his own father in that:
1. “I have lived twice his age and twelve years more.
2. Whereas he had one child, myself alone, God hath given me twelve children whereof I have yet seven living besides children of some of my children.
3. I have lived all the time of my knowledge under the Gospel.
4. I am a minister of the Gospel.
5. That ye my children are not mine by nature, but God’s by grace.
6. That God hath blessed my ministerie to the winning of souls.
I might ad that whereof Paul boasteth but herein I am sparing that I may in no waies seeme to disgrace any or any waies to insult over them. I hate a high mind in others and therefore far be it from me to bewray the same in myself. God hath the glory of it all.”
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“Let none of you be grieved that I have left you nothing of my inheritance in Kent neither of my lands since, that I purchased in Suffolk as also in Essex, all being gone and the price of them spent; not riotously or otherwise lewdly, but by other means. Though in body ye be scattered one from another, comfort one another, help one another that ye may strengthen one another in the Lord.”
“At the time of his first known residence in St. Bartholomew’s, 1616 his eldest son Thomas was twenty eight years of age, married, with one child; John. His second son, after having been entered sizar (limited means) at Emanuel College, was continuing his education as a Fellow and Israel, his youngest child, was 13 years of age. In later years these men “occupied positions of influence and trust and were men of good means” and were so regarded in 1630 at the time of the Puritan emigration to New England.”
“How and why the Rev. Thomas became a resident of the St. Bartholomew’s is not revealed in the records as found to date. The question has arisen weather having spent his children’s inheritance, as charity, for the good of others and being a non-conformist, which excluded him from appointment as a curate, vicar or rector to a church, he may have been appointed as a chaplain to St. Bartholomew’s for the double purpose of administering to people there where his non-conformist ideas would cause little if any discomfort or embarrassment to the Bishops and where he would have a semblance of care.”
As one draws inspiration from the treasures of Coggeshall, a thought should be spared for the indomitable spirit of its former Rector along with his fervent rhetoric, pointed questions and direct manner. Indeed, we should also think about the achievements of his sons, in the New World. They, who had nothing to inherit but his disposition and his will.
Thomas had spent his inheritance on the good of others, helping those in more
desperate need then himself. It should be noted here that no evidence was found that any of his children ever felt any ill will toward their father, due to a lack of inheritance or
because of any neglect. Indeed they had great feelings of affection for him and emulated him in their own lives.
Children of Thomas Stoughton and Katherine Montepesson are:
- +Elizabeth Stoughton, b. Abt. 1590, England, d. Abt. 1647, Ipswich MA3375.
- John Stoughton, d. date unknown.
- Judith Stoughton, d. date unknown.
- Anne Stoughton, b. Abt. 1591, d. date unknown.
- Thomas Stoughton, b. Bet. 1592 - 1593, d. date unknown.
- +Israel Stoughton, b. 18 Feb 1602, Coggeshall, Essex, England, d. 1645, Lincoln, England.