John Mastin was an English topographer and Anglican clergyman. He is best known as the author of the earliest published history of the parish of Naseby.
Background and family
John Mastin was born at Epperstone on 30 September 1747, a son of William Mastin and his wife Ann Baguely. In 1772, John eloped with 16-year-old Mary Gurney and they married in Scotland, as her guardian did not approve of the match. The couple had seven children born between 1773 and 1791; their two sons died in infancy and only two of the children outlived their father.
Career
John was the son of a grazier and early in his life worked as a land-agent in Hertfordshire. He was unusual amongst Anglican clergy of the 18th century in that he did not hold a university degree; his academic preparation for ordination was solely by private tuition and study. He was ordained deacon on 21 September 1777 and appointed curate of Husbands Bosworth on the following day. Two years later, he was ordained priest. In 1783, John was presented as Vicar of Naseby, where he had already served as curate - a living that he held for the remainder of his life. In due course, he was appointed vicar of additional two parishes – Dunton Bassett and Cold Ashby. It is clear from his memoirs that for most of his life after ordination, John was actively involved in agricultural matters, and submitted essays to the Board of Agriculture.
Writings
In 1792, John published by subscription the first edition of “The History and Antiquities of Naseby, in the County of Northampton”. A second edition was published in 1818. As might be expected, the book records the Civil War battle that took place in the parish in 1645. Other material there includes an account of agricultural practices, references to contemporary residents and details of at least some of the memorials and tombstones that were then present in Naseby church and churchyard. In his later years, John compiled memoirs, the manuscript of which is deposited at Northamptonshire Record Office. As well as details of his life as a clergyman, this manuscript records at length the various land transactions and agricultural activities in which he actively participated until a few years before his death. The texts of both these works are included along with a learned introduction, annotations and a number of relevant appendices in the book titled “A Georgian Country Parson”.
Death
John died on 15 January 1829 and was buried at Naseby nine days later. Probate of his will was granted by the Archdeaconry Court of Northampton on 21 March 1829. John’s wife had died in 1811. They are both commemorated on a slate plaque which is fixed at the west end of the south wall inside Naseby church.
