Rev. Samuel Hinds (later Bishop of Norwich)

Son of Abel Hinds (d. 1808) and his wife Elizabeth Thornhill Hinds nee Rock (1776-1853, q.v.). Educated at Charterhouse. Matriculated Queen's College, Oxford, 1811, BA 1815 and MA 1818; BD and DD 1831.

Married Eleanor Ann Clinckett (1800-1834) in Barbados in 1821. Ordained in 1822.

Principal of Codrington College and "early in life... connected as a missionary with the Society for the Conversion of Negroes".

Vicar of Yardley, Hertfordshire, 1834-1843, then vicar of Castleknock, Clonsilla and Millahidart in the diocese of Dublin 1843-1848.

Bishop of Norwich 1849-1857.

"In 1850 Hinds chaired the royal commission on Oxford University, being appointed by Lord John Russell (who had considered him for the regus chair of divinity in 1847). His chairmanship reflected both his liberal credentials and his competence. His commission's report, in 1852, provided an opportunity of a turning point in the history of the university, of which the latter only partially took advantage."

Married his second wife Sarah Emily c. 1856 (according to the 1871 census she was around 40 years his junior).

"Published many sermons, pamphlets, and books of a broad-church character on a variety of subjects... Hinds was a man of learning, ability, and engaging character. In politics he was a moderate Liberal, while he represented one of the most 'advanced' schools of thought on religious questions, especially during the last few years of his life."

In Yardley (or Ardeley) vicarage in 1841 with his mother Elizabeth Howell and half-sisters Agnes (q.v.) and Jane. In the household of his half-brother Hinds Howell (q.v.) at 61 Portland Place in 1851. Not identified in 1861 but at 40 Clarendon Road, London, in 1871. Died at 40 Clarendon Road, London, 07/02/1872. Buried in Kensal Green Cemetery.

In 1817 and 1820, Samuel Hinds owned one enslaved person, Toby, born c. 1781, described as a gardener in 1817 and a labourer in 1820. Eleanor Ann Clinckett, later to be the wife of Samuel Hinds, owned an enslaved girl, Jenny, born c. 1803, a waiting maid in 1817 and 1820. Jenny left the island at some point between 1826 and 1829, perhaps when Hinds himself left Barbados and took a position as vice-principal of St Alban Hall, Oxford, in 1827. Jenny returned to Barbados and died there before or during 1832. Toby died at some point between 1829 and 1832, age 20 [sic.].

The slave register entry for Samuel Hinds for 1823 has not been located. However, as well as Toby and Jenny he must have aquired another enslaved male called Samuel, who was born c. 1804.

By 1826 he had bought three more enslaved men: Tom age 37 (who had since died), Tombalin age 56 and Sandy age 52. Jenny had a son, John, born c. 1824.

Between 1829 and 1832, Toby and Jenny had died, Samuel had been sold to Doctor Haitte[?] and his Hinds' remaining enslaved people, Tombalin, Sandy and John, had been manumitted.

B. H. Blacker, ‘Hinds, Samuel (1793–1872)’, rev. H. C. G. Matthew, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004; online edn, Jan 2016 [http://0-www.oxforddnb.com.catalogue.libraries.london.ac.uk/view/article/13349, accessed 28 Aug 2017].

Quotes from Blacker.

Censuses online, 1841-1871.

See estate information, http://www.ucl.ac.uk/lbs/estate/view/19647.

We are grateful to Mark Dickinson for his assistance with compiling this entry.