Information on two 19th century clergymen

[arthurk]

I see there's a gap in James's record from 1858-1867, so perhaps his appointment in Shrewsbury was never reported to Cambridge. Those with access to Crockford might be able to tell us more; copies for that period might also include the names of the patrons of the livings concerned.

I've now managed to check the 1874 Crockford myself, and it helps to fill the gaps by showing the following appointments for James:

1850 - Curate of St Mark, Wolverhampton
1853 - Perpetual Curate of Stockingford, Nuneaton
1860 - Curate of Astley, Salop
1861 - Missionary(?) Curate of a district in St Chad, Shrewsbury
(no date given) - Curate of Badby with Newnham, Northants
1867-8 - Rector of Chillenden, Kent
1868-present - Rector of Stowe-Maries, Diocese of Rochester

Looking on at the 1885 edition where both Colings appear, the patron of each parish is given as part of the current incumbent's entry. For Richard, who had been in Chillenden since 1869, the patron is Rev. J. Coling. For James, still in Stowe-Maries, the patron is "present Rector". So it looks as though James owned the patronage of both parishes and nominated himself first to Chillenden and then to Stow-Maries; and nominated Richard to Chillenden as well. This does suggest very strongly that James and Richard were somehow related.

Patronage was (still is?) something that could be bequeathed and inherited, and I believe also bought. Further research would be needed to find out how James came to be patron of these two parishes.

[Top-of-the-hill]

  I saw in one of the press reports that James was patron of Stow Maries, but I didn't know he was patron of Chillenden. 2 nice quiet little livings?
  Richard was definitely James' son, I have just spent a couple of hours sorting out my random notes and filling in the gaps. ( I have a little more now from your last post.) Richard moved to Stow Maries when his father died.
  Thanks again.

[arthurk]

1908 Crockford shows Richard as having been at Stowe-Maries since 1888, and as with James, the patron is "present Rector".

The probate index for James in 1888 confirms that Richard James was his son, but there still seems to me to be something a little unusual. You said above:

   "Richard James Coling is in the same college list in 1862  ( described as s of James, linen-draper of Chipping Norton)."
  Anthony - that is quite odd,as in 1861, James was a curate in Shrewsbury; grandfather Richard was the draper, died 1846.

Richard's baptism gives his father as James, linen draper, and James went to Cambridge in 1846 and was ordained in 1850. What strikes me as odd is that a married man in his late 20s would go to university at that time - I thought they were still the preserve of younger single men.

[Gadget]

Richard James' baptism in 1844 gives his mother as Sarah D'Oyly. I haven't yet found a marriage between James and Sarah.

[Gadget]

Marriage by Licence, 8 June 1867, Poole, Dorset
James Coling, Rector of Chillendon and Sarah Mary Brayne

Add - witnesses were V Griffin and  H F Griffin

[Top-of-the-hill]

   That is his second marriage.
 1843 Q3 he married Sarah Mary Doyly Heynes, Chipping Norton.

  The only baptism record I have found does not mention father's occupation?

[Top-of-the-hill]

  When James was born, he was registered as a Baptist, went to Stepney College, studying divinity (1841) and was baptised Banbury 1846, presumably a requirement for Cambridge. (And ordination!)

   On the subject of patrons of the livings, press reports of the Chillenden appointments say 1867 and 68 that it is the Lord Chancellors living.

[Gadget]

   That is his second marriage.
 1843 Q3 he married Sarah Mary Doyly Heynes, Chipping Norton.

  The only baptism record I have found does not mention father's occupation?

It's from transcriptions of this record set

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSNT-S23C?mode=g

Chipping Norton
England Births & Baptisms 1538-1975

Add - the marriage should be there too.

[arthurk]

   That is his second marriage.
 1843 Q3 he married Sarah Mary Doyly Heynes, Chipping Norton.

  The only baptism record I have found does not mention father's occupation?

It's at Chipping Norton, 10 Jul 1844 (images at Ancestry):
Richard James s of James & Sarah D'oyly Coling of Chipping Norton - Linen Draper

Interesting what you've found about James's background, and his baptism in 1846.

I've had a look in the 1868 Crockford as well now, and in the appendix it records James's appointment to Chillenden. As you say, it says the Lord Chancellor was Patron, so presumably James acquired the rights at some point while he was there. It appears he already owned the patronage of Stow Maries, as he is listed against his predecessor there (Harvey Atkyns Browne).