OVINGTON, John. Melsonby, Yorkshire bapt. 5.3.1653 — ?.6.1731. Rev. English Priest and Traveller. Son of James and Mary Ovington, a family of yeoman-farmers. Studies at Trinity College, Dublin from 1671, B.A. 1675, M.A. 1678. Then at St. John’s College, Cambridge. His ordination and life in next years remein unknown. When James II was deposed (1688) he decided for exile and became the Chaplain of Surat in E.I.C. service. Remained there 1689-92. Then he returned to England and served as Chaplain of Queen Anne, finally 1701-31 Rector of St.Margaret’s in Lee, Kent. D.D. 1701 Dublin. Probably unmarried.
In his book “Ovington describes the Mughal influence, the religious and cultural particularities of the Hindus and the Parses, and finally speculates on the status of the fakir, a Muslim hermit. …and the organization and procedures of the English manufacture in Surat” (Wikipedia).
Publications: A Voyage to Surat in the year 1689, giving a large account of that city and its inhabitants and of the English factory there. 606 p. L. 1696, French translation 1725; modern ed. by H. G. Rawlinson. 20+313 p. Oxford 1929.
– An essay upon the nature and qualities of tea. 39 p. L. 1699; published sermons.
Sources: Rawlinson’s introduction; Wikipedia (no information beyond his Indian travel).
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