Comments
VCH Lancs. 6.42: Of Cowell or Cowhill in Rishton, Lancs. At first he 'could not peaceably enjoy the vicarage', evidently because of the opposition of his deprived predecessor Henry Norcross who also retained the communion cup. He continued at Ribchester throughout the civil war, though not a member of the presbyterian classis. He continued to minister 'until violently ejected from his pulpit in 1649 while denouncing the execution of Charles I'. VCH does, however, provide a rather contradictory account, also noting that in 1646 his stipend had been increased by £40 per annum, and as late as May 1649 it was ordered that his arrears be paid. But in June the increase was suspended on account of accusations of 'notorious misdemeanours'. In 1650 the Commonwealth Church Survey recorded that he had been assembled the Lancashire Provincial Assembly of divines. Deprivation followed, and he retired to Cowhill where he died in 1657.