OVINGTON, John. Melsonby, Yorkshire bapt. 5.3.1653 — ?.6.1731. Rev. English Priest and Traveller. Son of James and Mary O., 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.

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 tr. 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.