COLMAN, Roger (c.1623-60), of Gornhay, Tiverton, Devon.

Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1660-1690, ed. B.D. Henning, 1983
Available from Boydell and Brewer

Constituency

Dates

14 July - 6 Nov. 1660

Family and Education

b. c.1623, 1st s. of Francis Colman of Gornhay by Bridget, da. of Lewis Cruwys of Cruwys Morchard. educ. Exeter, Oxf. matric. 9 Apr. 1641, aged 18. m. Elizabeth, da. of William Drewe of Broadhembury Grange, 1s. 4da. suc. fa. 1650.2

Offices Held

Commr. for assessment, Devon 1657.

Biography

Colman’s first known ancestor, a Tiverton merchant, died in 1553. The family bought one-eighth of the manor, which had been divided among the coheirs of the Courtenay Earls of Devon, and established themselves among the minor gentry; they recorded their pedigree at the heralds’ visitation of 1620, though they still employed apprentices as late as 1674. Neither Colman himself nor any of the family is known to have taken part in the Civil War.3

Colman was returned for Tiverton at a by-election in 1660. He made no speeches, but was named to the committee for the Dunkirk establishment on 1 Sept. Nothing is known of his politics, but his appointment to a local commission under the Protectorate suggests that he may have followed the Presbyterian opposition line of his colleague Robert Shapcote and his predecessor Thomas Bampfield. His will, dated 27 Oct. 1660, was proved at Exeter on 10 November.4

Ref Volumes: 1660-1690

Authors: M. W. Helms / John. P. Ferris

Notes

  • 1. New writ.
  • 2. Vivian, Vis. Devon, 221, 257, 862.
  • 3. M. Dunsford, Hist. Mems Tiverton, 325; Lysons, Devon, 511.
  • 4. Rylands Lib. Eng. mss 299, 209, f. 539.