John Darrell of Retford
John Darrell (1621-1665) was a member of the Denman-Darrell family of Retford, Nottinghamshire and a philanthropist.
Personal life
John Darrell was born into a prominent family in Horkstow, Lincolnshire, being baptised there on 26 June 1621. He was the youngest son of Edward Darrell (1582-1627) and Barbara (nee Denman) (b 1582/3), who was the sister of Anne Denman (b 1586). He had older brothers Thomas (b 1607), Bryan (1610) and Edward (1613), all of whom died young. His cousin was Frances Hyde, Countess of Clarendon.[1]
Darrell matriculated from Lincoln College, Oxford, on 24 November 1637 at the age of 16 and gained a BA degree on 3 July 1641, later qualifying as a Doctor of Medicine (MD). According to Edwin Wilmshurst (1908), by 1659 he was the sole survivor of the Darrell family and in possession of the West Retford Estate, making him a wealthy landowner, squire and magistrate.[1]
Death
As the sole surviving member of his family, and with no issue, John Darrell carried out the wishes of his father Edward Darrell and set up a trust in his 1664 will to provide an almshouse for the benefit of the people of Retford. This was to become Trinity Hospital Retford. It is said his father Edward Darrell wanted to endow an almshouse because "He had the misfortune, quite by mistake, to kill a man, and it was his wish and intention to do something in expiation."[1]
Darrell is buried in a vault in West Retford Church. When the church was restored in 1864, £200 was donated by the Brethren and Master of Trinity Hospital for a stained glass window dedicated to his memory. It represents Our Lord as the Good Physician, healing the blind. The dedication says: "To the Glory of God, and in Remembrance of John Darrel, MD, obit March 8, 1665. He was the Founder of the Hospital of the Holy and Undivided Trinity in West Retford: also of a Scholarship in Exeter College, Oxford."
Ancestry
- John Darrell (1621-1665) was the youngest son of Barbara and Edward, he died without issue
- Barbara Darrell (nee Denman) (1582-1654) daughter of Francis and Anne, m Edward Darrell (1582-1627) eldest son of Sir Thomas Darel and was mother of Thomas Darrell (b 1607), Bryan Darrell (b 1610), Edward Darrell (b 1613) and John (b 1621)
- Francis Denman (1531-1599) m Anne Denman (nee Blount) and had two surviving daughters Barbara and Anne Denman
- Nicholas of East Retford (d 1557) who was owner of Newall Grange and Alderman of the City of Hull m2 Lady Anne Hercy (later Dalyson) daughter of Humphrey Hercy and sister of John Hercy. Anne inherited the Manor of West Retford from her brother. Their sons were William (d 1568) no issue; Francis Denman (1531-1599); Thomas, had issue; Edmund (d 1561) without issue.
- John of Retford m Isabel daughter of John Mountney
- John m Katherine daughter of Sir Bryan Sandford
- Rev Thomas Denman (1432-1516) m Isabella (nee Hercy) of Grove daughter of Hugh Hercy
- John of Tinslowe m Jane, daughter of Henry Fauconberg
- William Denman m Joane (nee Bolynbrook)
Reference works
- The History of the Old Hall of the Manor of West Retford, Edwin Wilmshurst, 1908
- A Godly Inheritance: The History of the Hospital of the Holy and Undivided Trinity, West Retford and of the Denman Family, Jean M. Nicholson, 1 September 2010
- HERCY, John (by 1499-1570), of Grove, Notts, History of Parliament Online
Reference list
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Edwin Wilmshurst (1908). The History of the Old Hall of the Manor of West Retford. Search this book on
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