Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Norman, John (1622-1669)
NORMAN, JOHN (1622–1669), presbyterian divine, born on 15 Dec. 1622, was son of Abraham Norman of Trusham, Devonshire, and matriculated on 16 March 1637-8 from Exeter College, Oxford, where he was servitor to the rector, Dr. Conant. He graduated B.A. on 21 Oct. 1641, and received presbyterian ordination. In 1647, upon the expulsion of George Wotton, he became presbyterian vicar of Bridgwater, and remained there until ejected by the Act of Uniformity in 1662. He was the bosom friend of Joseph Alleine [q. v.], the ejected vicar of Taunton, whose sister Elizabeth seems to have been his first wife. Norman was probably the 'Pylades' to whom Alleine, under the signature 'Orestes,' wrote a very remarkable 'Letter from Bath' on 12 Oct. 1668, smoothing over some 'jealous passages' which had occurred between the writer and his old friend and 'covenant Pylades' (Life of Alleine, 1822, p. 432, letter xxxvii.) Soon after his ejectment, Norman was brought before Judge Foster for preaching privately to his people, and was sentenced to a fine of 100l. and to imprisonment until the fine was paid. He lay in Ilchester gaol for eighteen months, when Sir Matthew Hale [q. v.], on circuit, compounded the fine at sixpence in the pound. After his release he preached in private. He had good natural abilities, was an acceptable preacher, and was much respected in 'all the western parts of the kingdom' (Calamy). His works include 'Cases of Conscience practically resolved.' London, 1673, 8vo, to which an account of him is prefixed by William Cooper; an ordination sermon, 'Christ's Commission Officer,' London, 1658, 12mo; 'Christ confessed' (written in prison); and 'Family Governors exhorted to Family Godliness.'
He died at Bridgwater, and was buried at St. Mary's on 9 Feb. 1668-9. His wife Elizabeth had died in 1664, and he seems to have married a second wife, who survived him A son, John, born in 1652, matriculated from Exeter College, Oxford (8 May 1669). Henry Norman, master of Longport grammar school from 1706 to 1730, may have been the minister's grandson.
[Norman's Cases of Conscience; Palmer's Nonconformist's Memorial, iii. 169; Stanford's Joseph Alleine, his Companions and Times, 1861, pp. 101, 243, 359; Foster's Alumni Oxon. 1500–1714; "Weaver's Somerset Incumbents, p. 318; Notes and Queries, 8th ser. v. 149, by Mr. John Kent.]