Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Gumble, Thomas

757276Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 23 — Gumble, Thomas1890Gordon Goodwin

GUMBLE, THOMAS, D.D. (d. 1676), biographer, for some time vicar of Chipping Wycombe, Bucks (cf. Lamb MSS. Aug. 972, p. 79; Price, the King's Restauration, p. 35) was appointed chaplain to Monck, then in Scotland, at the end of 1655 (Gumble, Life of Monck, p. 92 ). Monck, finding him an excellent man of business, entrusted him with many delicate commissions. On 4 Jan. 1659–60 he was despatched from Newcastle-upon-Tyne to London with Monck's letters to the parliament and city (ib. pp. 202–3; Price, Life of Monck, p. 77). On his arrival (12 Jan.) parliament ordered 100l. to be given him (Whitelocke, Memorials, p. 693), and recommended him (26 Jan.) for the first vacant fellowship at Eton (Cal. State Papers, Dom., 1659–60). In 1661 he was made D.D. of Cambridge by royal mandate, and on 6 July of the same year was collated to the twelfth prebendal stall in Winchester Cathedral (Le Neve, Fasti, ed. Hardy, iii. 43). On 21 May 1663 he received the rectory of East Lavant, Sussex (Cal. State Papers, Dom., 1663–4, pp. 57, 146). Much to his regret, ill-health prevented him from performing his duty as chaplain of the Royal Charles during the conflict with the Dutch in February 1666 (ib. 1665–6, p. 262). He died in 1676, apparently unmarried, for his estate was administered to on 10 March 1676–7 by his brothers Stephen and John Gumble (Administration Act Book, P. C. C., 1677, f. 41). He is represented as an amiable and kindly man(cf. Cal. State Papers, Dom., 1667, p. 266). His only published work was a valuable 'Life of General Monck, Duke of Albemarle, &c., with Remarks upon his Actions,'8vo,London, 1671. A French translation (by Guy Miege) was issued at London in 1672. Some copies of the translation have a second additional title-page, printed at Cologne in 1712, when the work was sold to advance the cause of the Pretender.

[Cal. State Papers (Dom.), 1659–60, pp. 308, 324, 400, 592, 595, 1663–5, p. 554.]

G. G.

Dictionary of National Biography, Errata (1904), p.143
N.B.— f.e. stands for from end and l.l. for last line

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338 i 10 Gumble, Thomas: after biographer insert for some time vicar of Chipping Wycombe, Bucks (cf. Lamb MSS. Aug. 972, p. 79; Price, the King's Restauration, p. 35)