The Story of John Dunning Prickman

One of many Okehampton public figures who undertook their duties with pride and diligence…

A few years ago, Okehampton Town Council discovered in their archives photographs of a large number of mayors dating back to the 1880s. The council subsequently received a grant to re-condition and frame these photographs, accompanied by articles on each mayor. The task of writing these and bringing these notable figures to life was given to Okehampton historians, Hilary and Mike Wreford.

1. the early days, the town mayor was a most powerful man and as well as being elected to office was also Chief Magistrate of the Borough of Okehampton, combining immense power and authority in the two appointments. Today it may seem unbelievable, but as well as chairing the council and the bench, the mayor was responsible for bridges, street lighting, roads, rivers, pavements, water, sewage, licensing laws, planning, slaughter houses and just about everything else in the town - there was never a dull moment or time to rest!

All these mayors undertook their duties with pride and diligence and there were many fascinating tales to tell.  This is an account of the life of just one of these public figures:

John Dunning Prickman

Mayor of Okehampton 1890-91

Lawyer, antiquarian and sportsman  - also known as ‘The Dartmoor Coroner’

A Devonian by family and birth, John Prickman was born at Broadnymett, the son of Thomas Prickman, owner of the Broadnymett Estate in North Tawton. Articled with a Mr W Huggins of Exeter, he became a solicitor in 1878 and served two years as managing clerk with a firm of solicitors in Chester.

Returning to Devon, he moved to Savile House in Fore Street, Okehampton in 1880 and a few years later, entered into partnership with Arthur Felix Risdon, practising as Prickman and Risdon in Exeter and Okehampton.

For a short period John Prickman acted as deputy recorder of the borough of Okehampton and in 1891, by a practically unanimous vote of Devon County council, was appointed coroner of the Okehampton district. By 1894, on the death of George Pearse, he was appointed clerk to the Justices of the Petty Sessional Division of Okehampton - both these offices he held until he died.

His business, chiefly of a private and conveyancing character, by this time had grown to large proportions, with offices in Hatherleigh and North Tawton as well as Okehampton.

Among his many other appointments Prickman was agent at Okehampton for the Devon and Exeter Savings Bank, correspondent for North Tawton and Inwardleigh School Managers, clerk to Inwardleigh Parish Council, steward of the manors of Belstone and Gidleigh, steward of the Stafford Estates at Dolton and of the Luxmore Estates at Broadwoodwidger.

As a solicitor he was county coroner for Devon for the Okehampton district and Dartmoor Prison, clerk to the justices for the Hatherleigh Petty Sessional Area and to the Okehampton Town Justices as well as being clerk and legal advisor to the Okehampton Charity Trustees. Prickman acted for the Duchy Estate, on occasions for the War Office and Treasury. He was also a prominent Freemason.

Prickman had a great love of Dartmoor and of Okehampton and was a good friend to the Reverend Sabine Baring-Gould of Lewtrenchard, famous now for writing the hymn ‘Onward Christian Soldiers’, but also as a respected collector of folk music.

During his life Prickman researched a great deal of the history of Okehampton, providing the council at various times with much historical information lists, of mayors and much else, including photographs. He also completed a paper on the French prisoners of war in Okehampton for the Devonshire Association.

It might be felt that in such a busy life he would have little time for recreation but this was certainly not the case. He was always happy in the saddle, riding his horse Stocking along with his hound, Emperor, and he was secretary of the Mid Devon Hunt, as well as a follower of the Eggesford Hunt. He found time to write, contributing to The Field and other sporting journals. In his younger days, he played football and cricket for Okehampton and football for the county. For many years he was president of both the cricket and football clubs in the town and took interest in the formation of Okehampton Golf Club.

He even found time for politics. A staunch Conservative, he campaigned in vain for the ‘working classes’ to be allowed to play sport on a Sunday.

At the time of his death in March 1913 at the age of only 58, Okehampton had lost one of the best and multi-talented figures in public life in Devon.

The scarlet tunic of the Devon Regiment could be seen at his funeral procession, a reminder of John Prickman’s captaincy in the local company of the 4th Devon Local Volunteers.

Hilary and Mike Wreford

Okehampton Local History Society