Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Hawes, Richard
HAWES, RICHARD (1603?–1668), puritan divine, was born in Norfolk in 1603 or 1604. He was educated at Ipswich school, and at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, where he graduated B.A. in 1623 and M.A. in 1627 (University Matriculation Register). His stepfather intended to have presented him to a living which he asserted was his, but which Lord-keeper Coventry claimed on behalf of the crown. For the sake of peace Hawes accepted the lord keeper's promise to appoint him to the next vacant living in his gift, and thereby offended his stepfather. He was eventually preferred by Coventry to the rectory of Humber, Herefordshire, from which he was soon transferred to that of Kentchurch in the same county. During the civil war he sympathised with the parliament; was suspected by the royalists of plotting against them; was taken to Hereford, and tried for his life by a royalist council of war. The prosecution having been discovered to be wholly malicious, he was dismissed. He was, however, subjected to much annoyance by the soldiery, and had his house frequently plundered (John Webb, Civil War in Herefordshire, ii. 23–4, 425). About 1659 he obtained from Sir Edward Harley the vicarage of Leintwardine, Herefordshire, but was ejected in 1662 on account of his nonconformity. Shortly after the Restoration he was charged with complicity in some anti-monarchical designs and threatened with ill-usage by Sir Henry Lingen, who, however, died before he could carry out his threats. Hawes during his last years lived with his daughter, who had married one Billingsley; first at Weobley, Herefordshire, then at Abergavenny, and latterly at Awre, Gloucestershire. On account of his moderate opinions he was occasionally allowed to preach in public without subscribing. He died in December 1668, in his sixty-fifth year.
[Authorities cited; Palmer's Nonconformist's Memorial, ii. 290–3.]