Notes on the Coward Family was compiled by the late Hylton Bayntun-Coward in 1977 to raise money for the Restoration of Wells Cathedral. It is reproduced here with the permission of his son, Edward Bayntun-Coward.

These notes have been published to raise money for the restoration of Wells Cathedral, for which £1,300,000 is required. I have written to every Coward in the England and Wales telephone directories, 893 in all. I am producing 200 copies so that I can fulfil later orders.

I am grateful to those who have sent me further information which I have included in the Notes, in particular the letter from the Windsor Herald. I have been interested to hear that some Cowards believe the family originated in the Lake District: I imagine that families with our name might have risen wherever there were herds of cows!

The list of subscribers is divided into those who live, or whose families lived, in the Somerset area, those who live in the Lake District or the north or whose families did and, finally, the others. This arrangement will permit those interested in their family history to contact the others in their area.

I shall be glad to hear of any other records of the family so that a supplement could be produced later, but please don't ask me for further information yet as this is all I know!

H. B-C.
April 1977

1731 July  14 Mary dau. of Edward and Mary Coward, priv. bap., and publicly admitted 19 July.
1732 Jan.  18 Ann dau. of Edward Coward and Mary his w.; born 29 Dec. preceding
1734 Aug.  28 Sarah dau. of Edward and Mary Coward; born Aug. 1

1681 Jan.  23 John Coward and Jane Ward, both of Ditcheat
1704 May   15 John Coward and Mary Spencer, both of Witham Friary
1706 Dec.  16 Samuel Coward and Jane Coward, both of Witham Friary

1665 May   14 Capt. Francis Coward
1665 June   4 Thomas s. of Capt. Francis Coward
1669 Dec.  20 Mrs. Ann Blower, in ye Lady Chapel
1693 Mar.  13 Mrs. Catherine Coward, widow
1736 April 23 Sarah Coward
1742 Oct.  31 Edward Coward and Sarah his dau.
1777 Sept. 10 Mr. John Coward

1633 Sept. 26 Francis s. of Mr. Thomas Coward
1634 July  19 William s. of Mr. William Coward
1636 April  4 Christopher s. of Mr. Edward and Catherine Coward

1638 Sept.  6 William s. of Mr. Thomas and Jane Coward
1640 Feb.  24 John s. of Mr. William and Katherine Coward
1642 Sept. 29 Francis s. of Mr. William and Katherine Coward
1644 Aug.  23 Katherine dau. of Mr. William and Katherine Coward
1652 April 20 Mary dau. of John Coward and Priscilla his w., of Harters Hill 3
1653 Mar.   3 Francis s. of Mr. Francis Coward, of East Wells
1666 April 16 William s. of Mr. William and Mrs. Bridget Coward
1668 Feb.  28 Catherine dau. of Mr. William and Mrs. Bridget Coward
1733 April 24 William s. of William Coward, of Sadler Street, born 20 Ap., priv. bap., brought to Church May 25
1734 June  17 Samuel s. of Mr. William Coward, of Sadler Street, born May 17, priv. bap., and brought to Church
1735 May   16 John s. of William Coward, born and priv. bap., of Sadler Street
1736 May    5 John s. of Mr. William Coward, of Sadler Street, born 4 May, priv. bap., brought to Church May 28
1738 Sept. 13 Elizabeth dau. of Mr. William Coward, born and priv. bap., brought to Church 20 Nov.
1739 Aug.  16 Jane dau. of Mr. John Coward, of Sadler Street, born and priv. bap.

1656 April  7 Mr. William Coward and Mrs. Sarah Woodyatts
1676 Jan.  17 Robert Coward and Mary Hellier, both of Street; by licence

1617 Nov.   6 Katherine Coward
1620 Jan.  22 Mr. Thomas Coward
1652 April 24 Mary dau. of John and Priscilla Coward, of Harters Hill
1654 Mar.  25 Francis s. of Mr. Francis Coward, of East Wells
1664 Aug.  24 Mr. William Coward, "then Mayor"
1670 Mar.  21 Mrs. Catherine Coward, widow
1677 Aug.  25 Mr. George Coward
1701 Aug.  12 Edward Coward, gent
1705 April 12 William Coward, Sergeant at Law and Recorder of this City, from Chamberlain Street
1724 April 28 Madam Coward, widow, brought from London

In St. Cuthbert's Church a floorslab is inscribed to the memory of George Coward, gent., who died 24 Aug. 1677. Another is for Thomas Coward, gent., who died 18 Jan. 1640. Round the edge of the latter is cut "John Whittington, gent.;" the other side with the remainder of the inscription is covered. There are also two mural tablets,the remains of what were handsome mural monuments, one inscribed for Bridget, wife of William Coward, Esq., Recorder of Wells, and only daughter of Thomas Hall of Bradford in Wiltshire, and Lady Catherine his wife, daughter of Sir Edward Seymour of Bury Pomery, co. Devon, Bart.; she died 22 March 1682, aged 43, Among some other fragments of stonework is a shield in a boldly cut bordure with a cherubin's head at the top, originally coloured and gilt, of which but little remains, having these arms, Or, two bars sa. charged with three roses of the first, two and one, Coward; imp. Sa., Three battle-axes erect arg., garnished or, Hall.

The other tablet has a Latin inscription commemorating William Coward, Esq., of Lincoln's Inn, Recorder and M. P. for Wells, who died 8 April 1705, the monument being erected by his son William Coward. Another shield, much like the former in style, has these arms, Per pale of three: 1, Coward, as before; 2, Hall, as before; 3, Paly of six arg. and az., a bend gu.

The above William Coward, Esq., married secondly Lady Philippa Annesley, daughter of Arthur, Earl of Annesley, and relict of Charles, third Lord Mohun; her burial is recorded in 1724.

Among the parish papers of St. Cuthbert, signed and sealed by Justices of the Peace, we find Thomas Coward, jun., J. P., on 4 April 1758 using this coat, (Arg.), two bars (vert) betw. nine martlets (gu.); Crest, A boar's head erased; being those of his mother Grace, daughter and coheir of Thomas Moore of Hawkechurch, co. Dorset and Spargrove, co. Somerset. In 1703 (Sept. 25) William Coward seals with his proper coat and crest viz., two bars charged with three roses. Crest, A demi-greyhound (sa.), betw. the paws a stag's head caboshed (arg., attired or).

Thomas Roberts of Wells, gent., named in the will of Francis Coward above as husband of his dau. Jane, made his will 1 April 1688, which was proved 23 June 1688 by Jane his widow, who was to have with other lands the manors of Shepton Mallet and Wells. He names his brothers Phineas Bowles, Capt. Charles Collier, and Mrs. William Sandes. His sister's son Thomas Harman; brother Rev. Nathaniel Roberts; and cousin Nicholas Sanford.

Thomas Coward of Wells, Somerset, gent. Will dated 4 June 1662. Being sick makes his will, and desires to be buried in the Lady Chapel in the Cathedral Church of Wells, near his father and mother as conveniently can be done. To the poor of the old almhouse 40s; aunt Blower a ring; brother Francis Coward's wife and children; to brother Francis Coward all his lands except his
wife's jointure, he paying to Mrs. Hicks £500; to cousin Timothy Revell £150; to brother Francis Coward two rings, one with Dr. Ryvett's arms on one side and a skull and crossbones on the other; brother Peirce and "my sister his wife;" uncle William James; uncle Arthur Phillipps; cousin Thomas Heath; brother Samuel Heath. Proved at Wells 4 Feb. 1662. Seal (Arg.), on a chev. gu. three martlets or, a chief of the second charged with a cannon dismounted of the third. This is really the coat of Leigh, whose heiress married Coward. (See "Visitation of Somerset, 1623," Harl. Soc., vol. xi., p. 30.)

Francis Coward of Wells. Will dated 6 May 1665; proved 24 March 1655. To be bur. in the Lady Chapel of the Cathedral Church of Wells. Brother-in-law Dr. William Piers; kinsman Mr. Timothy Revett; wife Elizabeth; daughters Jane and Mary, both under twenty-four; Catherine widow of deceased brother Thomas Coward; son Thomas Coward; dau. Jane w. of Thomas Roberts of Wells and Mary w. of William Sands. (Vide "Somerset Wills" by Rev. F. Brown.)

In the Church of St. Lawrence, Winchester, were recently the remains of a handsome mural monument for Thomas Coward, who married Grace, daughter and coheir of Thomas Moore of Hawkechurch, Dorset, and Spargrove, Somerset; among the debris of this monument others in the tower are the following shields: the coat of Leigh or Coward, as appended to the will of Thomas Coward above cited; also, Arg., a cross eng. betw. twelve billets gu., Heath; also, Gu., a lion ramp. per fess indent erm. and erminois, Stokes; and, Az., a chev. betw. three pears pendant or, Orchard. The coat of Leigh seems to have been occasionally used by Coward in place of their proper coat, namely, Or, on two bars sa. three roses, two and one, of the first. This last is cut on one of the battlements of Ditcheat Church with the date 1667, and these initials, C. C., for Christopher Coward of Ditcheat.

Unfortunately there are no old monuments at West Pennard, with John Coward of which place the Visitation pedigree commences, the nearest approach being a floorslab on which can just be traced a shield with helmet and mantling, but the charges on the shield the inscription are quite gone.

The following relate to the Cowards at Ditcheat: -

Henry Coward of Ditcheat, husbandman. Will dated 26 September 1664; proved 20 April 1665. Names son Thomas; son Henry and his son John; dau. Edith; dau. Mary; son-in-law William Dover; Thomas son of Thomas Coward, testator's son, and his other children; Francis son of testator's son Henry Coward; Mary and other children of testators daughter Edith; children of dau. Mary; sister Amy Bayley; godson William Bayley; children of testator's brother and sister; John Coward of Ditcheat, linenweaver, and Francis Jennings of Allington, overseers; wife executrix; Elizabeth wife of son Thomas Coward.

John Coward of Ditcheat, yeoman. Will dated 5 July 1681; proved at Wells 23 March 1681. Names dau. Ann Coward; dau. Hannah Coward; dau. Mary Mason. Lands in Ditcheat.

Christopher Coward of Ditcheat. Will dated 25 Jan. 1698; proved at Wells 13 June 1699. Names wife Mary Coward; brother William Coward and his sons; sister Grace wife of poor brother Edward Coward; sister Catherine Lite, widow; poor sister Reldon of Milborne Port. Seal, (Arg.), on a mount an oak-tree (ppr.), surmounted by a fess (az.) charged with three crescents (of the first). Over the shield the leters A. W. The arms on the shield are probably Watson or Watts.

Henry Coward of Ditcheat. Will dated 13 Feb. 1677; proved at Wells 6 March 1693. To be buried in the churchyard at Ditcheat. Names wife Joane; son John Coward at the age of 20 years; dau. Ann; dau. Elizabeth; son Henry; dau. Frances; brother-in-law John Maby; brother-in-law Robert Clother.

Richard Coward of Kowtoune in parish of West Pennard, yeoman. Will dated 28 Sept. 1678; proved at Wells in 1679. Names dau. Margaret Lewis, widow; John Ash son of Margaret Lewis and my grandchild; a grandchild Richard Lewis; grandchild Edward Lewis; John, Richard and Morris Cozens sons of Morris Cozens of Queen Camel, and Frances and Christian daus. of the same;
brother-in-law Morris Cozens of Queen Camel; wife Frances Coward.

Frances Coward, widow, of West Pennard. Will dated 7 Aug. 10 Q. Ann, 1711; proved at Wells 1714. Names two kinsmen Morris and Nicholas Cussens, sons of Morris and Elizabeth Cussens of Queen Camel; kinswoman Frances Read, wife of Henry Read; two kinsmen Henry and Edmund, sons of Henry and Frances Read; John son of John and Mary Cussens, and Frances and Mary Cussens daus.of the same; kinswoman Christian Ede of Queen Camel, late wife of Robert Ede dec., their brothers John, Robert, and Richard Ede, and her daus. Elizabeth and Frances Ede; son-in-law Richard Coward; kinsman John Coussens; John Coward the elder of West Pennard. Inv. dated 21 Aug. 1714, £212 2s. 6d.

Tristram Coward of Street. Will dated 14 Sept. 1591, 23 Eliz.; proved at Wells 28 Nov. 1591. To be buried in the churchyard of Street. Names five of Andrew Coward's youngest children, viz., Edward, Bess, Robert, Catherine, and Joan Coward; sister Julian and her three children; godsons Robert, Christopher, and Thomas Robins, and Thomas Walter; Margaret wife of Andrew Coward. Small bequests to the poor of Street and Glastonbury.

John Coward the elder of West Pennard, husbandman. Will dated 17 Jan. 29 Q. Eliz.; proved at Wells 13 Jan. 1597. Buried at West Pennard. Names son John Coward, son William Coward; dau. Alice Coward; sister-in-law Alice Wookey.

Humphry Coward of St. John's, Glastonbury. Will dated 24 Dec. 1628; proved at Wells 14 Jan. 1628. Names son Peter Coward and his children; dau. Alice Cuffe and her children; son Henry Coward "all mv books, with the bed and its furniture on which I lye in my parlour." Residue in trust to Humphry Grinsteed of Balsbarowe (Baltonsborough, an adjoining parish), and Nicholas Mapson of Glastonbury for Humphrey Coward, testator's son.

John Coward the younger, late of Street, husbandman, deceased 27 Aug. 1647; proved at Wells 4 March 1647. His will nuncupative stated to John Coward in the presence of witnesses. Names his children John, Robert, Agnes, Elizabeth, William, Tristram, and Mary; Alice Coward wife of the testator.

Robert Coward of Street, husbandman. Will dated 30 May 1648; proved at Wells 9 Aug. 1648. Names six children of Alice Coward of Street, widow; three children of John Joanes of Street; three children of John Man of Bradley (West Bradley, an adjacent parish); William Pavy of Mark, son of my sister; sister Jillan; sister Susan; sister Rebecca Pavie of Mark. Witnesses, Thomas Crooke, clerk, and Richard Edwardes.

Walter Coward of Brewton, yeoman. Will dated 5 June 11 Q. Anne, 1712; proved at Wells 12 July 1721. Names brother Arthur Coward; sister Alice Coward; wife Martha Coward.

Tristram Coward of Glastonbury, husbandman. Will dated 6 March 10 K. George, 1723; proved at Wells 31 Jan. 1724. Mentions his eldest dau. Elizabeth Worm; eldest son Tristram Coward dau. Alice Coward; son John Coward; wife Alice Coward; younger son James Coward, residuary legatee and executor, under age; trustees, Robert Mountstevens and John Vincent of Glastonbury. Seal of arms, A chev. betw. three birds' heads couped. Crest, A head as in the arms. ? Hartop or Ley.

The burial place of the old Wells family of Coward is in the south transept, and in the adjoining chapel, often called "Coward's Chapel." This had been previously the resting place of another old Wells family, the Leighs, connected with the Cowards; John Coward (living 1589), having married Catherine, dau. of Thomas Leigh. There are two altar-tombs against the south wall of the transept, bearing the following memorials: -

"Here resteth the body of Thomas Leigh, gent., who dece'd the 13th day of November A'o D'i 1551."

"Here likewise resteth the body of Alice, the wife of Thomas Leigh, gent., . . . June, 27, 1606."

No arms appear on these tombs, but they were, ar. on a chev. gu. three martlets; on a chief of the second, a culverin dismounted. Crest, a demihound sa. holding a stag's head ar. attired.

"Here lyeth the body of Mrs. Catherine Coward, widow, who was buried March the 21st, 1670."

". . . the body of John Whitin, gentilm . . . . (obliterated).

"Here lyeth the body of George Coward, gent., who died, August the 24, Anno Dom. 1677."

(The preceding three are from stones in the floor)

"Disce, viator, quanti viri cineres hic inscius premas. Reliquiae sunt clarissimi viri Gulielmi Coward, armigeri: quem frustra jam revocat patria consultissimum juris Eirenarcham; quem desiderat Hospitium Lincolniense servientem ad legem, cum primis venerandum; quem repetit Curia Parliamentaria toties Civium. Wellensium suffregiis cooptatum Burgensum, et sibi jamdudum notum, Ecclesiae Anglicanae vindicem inexpugnabilem, quem et civitas Wellesnsis aegrius tulit abreptum, municipem optimum, nunquam commissura ut defuncti Recordatoris sui memoria intercidat, Obiit Apr. 8, An'o D'ni 1705 Aetatis suae 71."

"Marmor hoc statuendum curavit Gulielmi' filius, parentis desideratissimi memoriae sacrum."

Arms: Or, 2 bars sa. charged with 3 roses gu. (Coward); impaled with sa., 3 battle axes ar., handled, or (Hall); and paly of six, or, and az., over all a bend gu."

Near the above was another large mural monument, inscribed with a Latin epitaph, to the memory of Bridget, wife of the said William Coward, and only daughter of Thomas Hall, of Bradford, Wilts., K. B. by Catherine, dau. of Sir Edw. Seymour, of Berry Pomeroy, Devon. She died 22 Mar. 1682, aged 43.

Arms: Coward impaling Hall.

Extract from a letter from:
A. COLIN COLE, Esq., B.C.L., M.A., F.S.A.
Windsor Herald of Arms,
The College of Arms,
Queen Victoria Street,
London E.C.4

Telephone: 01-248 1188

22 November, 1971

TO:

H. O. Coward, Esq.,

Address omitted to preserve privacy.

In the Visitation of the county of Somerset carried out by the Heralds in 1623, a three generation pedigree in the surname of Coward was officially registered. This pedigree is headed by one John Coward of West Pennard in Somerset who by his wife Catherine Leigh had a son Thomas Coward of Wells in Somerset. This last Thomas married Mary Watkins and by her had sons Thomas aged 23 in 1623 and William aged 22. No Armorial Bearings were allowed to this family at the time of this Visitation.

However the above Catherine Leigh was the daughter and co-heiress of one Thomas Leigh of Wells to whom Armorial Bearings were granted by Robert Cooke Clarenceux King of Arms in 1573. These same Arms are identical with those mentioned in your letter of 8 November and may be blazoned as follows:-Argent on a chevron Gules three martlets Argent on a chief Gules a chamber piece Gold and for the Crest a demi-greyhound Sable holding between the fore-legs a stags head caboshed Argent attired Gold. A chamber piece is an unmounted cannon. You will appreciate that these Arms properly pertain to the above family of Leigh and are not the Armorial Bearings of Coward into which family Catherine Leigh married.

At the later Visitation of Somerset carried out in 1672, a further pedigree of the Coward family was formally registered. This pedigree shows that of the two sons of Thomas Coward and his wife Mary Watkins, Thomas the elder, married a daughter of Dr. James, Chancellor to the Bishop of Bath and Wells, and William the younger, married Katherine Dodington. This last-mentioned couple had sons William Coward of Wells, Christopher, Edward, Francis and George. Of these, William married Bridget the daughter of Sir Thomas Hall and by her had a son William aged 6 in 1672. Again there was no entry of Armorial Bearings for this family at this time.

A further pedigree entered in the 18th Century shows that the William who married Bridget Hall was the representative in Parliament for Wells and died in 1705 aged 71. His son William was also the representative in Parliament for Wells and died in 1716, leaving an only daughter Bridget. William Coward who died in 1705 had a second wife Philippa the daughter of Arthur Anneslay, Earl of Anglesea by whom he had a son James, who in turn had a daughter who married a Mr. Sandys of Ireland.

On 1 May 1789, the above family of Coward was rendered armigerous when a grant of a Shield of Arms was made to Rachael Walter, the daughter of Bridget Hamilton, which Bridget was the only daughter of that William Coward who died in 1716. These Arms may be blazoned as follows:-Gold on a bar Sable three cinquefoils two and one Argent. No grant of a Crest was made. The above Shield of Arms was granted to be borne and used by the descendants of the Thomas Coward mentioned in the 1623 Visitation of Somerset and who married Mary Watkins.

On 21 August 1819 a grant of Armorial Bearings was made to George Fletcher Coward of Jamaica and of Grosvenor Place in the county of Middlesex. These Arms, to be borne and used by him and his descendants, may be blazoned as follows:-Ermine two bars Sable each charged with two cinquefoils Argent in the chief centre point and in base a pineapple proper, and for the Crest:-A demi bay horse proper charged on the shoulder with a cinquefoil Argent and holding between the forelegs a sugar plant proper. A pedigree of this family of Coward entered at the time of the above grant of Arms shows that George Fletcher Coward was the only child of one John Coward of Jamaica and in turn had sons George Scott Coward born in 1801 and Walter Scott Coward born in 1812. I find that two further pedigrees of persons of the surname of Coward were entered in the 18th century. In neither instance however, was any entitlememt to Armorial
Bearings established.

The first pedigree is headed by one Thomas Coward of Winchester who died in 1727 and whose son Thomas Coward of Spargrove in the county of Somerset had sons Thomas, William and John, the latter being of Wadham College, Oxford in 1741.

The second pedigree is headed by Edward Coward of Frome in Somerset who had sons John living in Turin in 1772 aged about 77, Edward and William. Edward Coward had a son John living in London in 1772 without issue. William Coward had sons Samuel and John, the latter having a son John aged 8 in 1772.

Collinson's History of Somerset 3 volumes, 1791:

Spargrove is now the estate and seat of Thomas Coward, Esq. On the south side of the Church of St. Mary is an elegant mural monument of white, grey and Sienna marble inscribed: "Underneath lie the remains of Thomas Coward, Esq., and Mary his wife, of Spargrove in this county, who through a long life (if human life can be called long) practised those virtues which made them beloved when living, and lamented now dead. She died October 6, anno salutis 1766, aetat. 76; he May 7, 1773, aet. 86. Though strictly just, yet he was always inclined to pardon; though fond of ancient hospitality, yet not profuse; though mild, affable and courteous, yet honest and sincere. Both endeavoured to the best of their abilities, as parents, friends and Christians, to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with their God." Arms, Argent, on a chevron gules three martlets of the field, on a Chief of the second a chamber-piece or, Coward; impaling sable two bars argent, on a chief of the first a griffin or. (Presumably father and son were both named Thomas).

Collinson also records that Leonard Coward was Mayor of Bath in 1782, 1787, 1789 (vol. 1 p. 26-27). There is a memorial to him in Bath Abbey near the south-west door.
 

Woodforde in his "Diary of a Country Parson" writes on May 22nd 1773: "Mr. Coward's Family of Spargrove was at Batcombe Church, with many other good families".

A footnote states: Thomas Coward, Esq. Sherriff of Somerset in 1771.

Cary's Book of Roads, 1806 notes: "Spargrove Manor, J. Coward, Esq. Two miles left of Bruton".

There is a memorial stone to the same family in the Parish Church of Yately in Hampshire.

Burke's HISTORY OF THE LANDED GENTRY, 1837

In the details of William Beckford of Fonthill and Lansdown, refers to his grandmother Bridget, daughter and sole heir of William Coward, Esq., M. P. for Wells, descended from the Protector SOMERSET; through him, by the illustrious and historical lines of Wentworth, Clifford, Percy and Mortimer, from Lionel Plantagenet of Antwerp, Duke of Clarence, third son of Edward III, and through the lines of Champernowne, Norreys, Fiennes and Bourchier, from Thomas Plantagenet of Woddstock, Duke of Gloucester, youngest son of the same Monarch. Through her great-great-grandfather, Sir Thomas Hall of Bradford, Wiltshire, whom she said BRIDGET COWARD
represented as sole heir general, she was descended from the noble and illustrious house of Latimer.

From the Concise Dictionary of National Biography: -

James Coward, 1824 - 1880, was a chorister at Westminster Abbey3 organist at Lambeth and
other churches and of the Crystal Palace. He composed Glees, Songs and other music.

William Coward, 1657(-) - 1725, Physician, published Medical Tracts, Deistical
Pamphlets, and Didactic Poems. William Coward, died 1738, London Merchant and Jamaica planter, provided funds for the non-conformists.
 

From WHO WAS WHO?: -

Sir Cecil Allen Coward Kt., cr. 1928, the senior partner in Coward, Chance & Co., Solicitors,
born 1845, died 1938, member of many Royal Commissions.

Sir (John Charles) Lewis Coward, Kt., cr. 1918, K. C., M. A., Cam., Recorder of Folkestone
1886 -1921, Chairman of many committees, born 1852, died 1930.

Thomas Alfred Coward, M. Sc., F. Z. S., F. E. S., Author and Journalist, published many
important books on birds, born 1867, died 1933.

Sir Henry Coward Kt., cr. 1926, M. A., Mus. Doc. Oxon., origially a cutler, then a school
master, then musician and composer, born 1849, died 1944.

Sir Noel Coward Kt., cr. 1970, Actor, author, playwright, songwriter, born 1899, died
1973.
 

From WHO'S WHO?: -

David John Coward, C. M. G., 1965, O. B. E. 1962 Solicitor, Naval Officer, senior colonial
Civil Servant, born 1917.