Henry Nicholson Ellacombe Hon. Canon of Bristol, Vicar of Bitton and Rural Dean, 1822-1916 a Memoir

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1919. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER III HENRY NICHOLSON ELLACOMBE THE outline which has been given of the life and activities of the old vicar of Bitton throws some light on the character, tastes, and interests of Henry Nicholson Ellacombe, his son, the memory of whose life is a source of unfading joy to all those whose privilege it was to be admitted to his friendship. It has unfortunately been extremely difficult to ascertain particulars of the Canon's early life. He outlived all his early contemporaries, and the memories of his later friends, so far as they are concerned with him, do not go back much more than forty years. As a matter of fact, Canon Ellacombe's life was centred almost wholly in Bitton parish, Bitton church, and in his vicarage and garden. Full of interest and beauty as was his life, it was not eventful in the ordinary sense of the term. He was born at Bitton on February 18, 1822, and lived there quietly with his half-brother and sisters. In fact, with the exception of the year he was a curate in Derbyshire, Bitton was always his home. His early education was no doubt received from his father, who, by way of augmenting his income, used to take pupils at the vicarage, and later he was sent to Bath Grammar School, where he was taught by Dr. Pears. In 1840 he went up to Oriel 40 College, Oxford, his father's college, where he graduated in 1844. At Oxford his acquaintances among the senior and junior members appear to have been remarkable. Among various relics from those stirring days he preserved a letter, written by himself from Oriel in 1841 to his father, relating how the condemnatory judgment which followed the publication of Tract XC, on being posted in the College Hall, was forthwith torn down. Like his father he was strongly influenced by the Oxford movement, and may...