John Clayton (minister)
John Clayton (1754–1843) was an English Independent minister. He became known for his conservative social views, after the Priestley Riots.
Early life
Clayton was born at Wood End Farm, Clayton, near Chorley, Lancashire, 5 October 1764, the only son of George Clayton, a bleacher; he had nine elder sisters. He was educated at Leyland grammar school, and was apprenticed to his brother-in-law, Boultbee, an apothecary in Manchester. At the end of four years he ran off, and made his way to the house of a married sister in London.[1]
Clayton was taken to hear the Rev.
Nonconformist
In 1793 Clayton was appointed one of the preachers at the merchants' lecture. He held similar posts at Fetter Lane, Holborn, and Hare Court, Aldersgate.[1]
Last years
About 1820 Clayton bought a small estate at Gaines in Essex, and in 1826 he resigned the charge of the Weigh-house, after a pastorate of 48 years. His wife died 11 January 1836, and he died 22 September 1843. He is buried in Bunhill Fields.[1]
Works
Clayton published:[1]
- The Snares of Prosperity, with an Essay upon Visitin, London, 1789.
- The Duty of Christians to Magistrates, London, 1791, a sermon which led to a controversy, and provoked Robert Hall's Christianity consistent with a Love of Freedom. The context was the Birmingham Riots of 1791, and Clayton was generally criticised by dissenters for neglecting civil rights.[2]
- The great Mercies of the Lord bestowed upon Britain, London, 1802.
- The Antidote of Fear; a Sermon, London, 1804.
- A Counter Statement relative to a late Withdrawment from a Dissenting Independent Church, London, 1804. This referred to one of his flock who had a taste for the theatre, and sometimes travelled on Sunday. The Rev. Richard Cecilis reported to have said: "Clayton, I have long respected you, but I have never before envied you. I own I do now envy you, because I hear that you have applied the discipline of the church to a man that rides in his coach."
Recognition
The
Family
Clayton married, in July 1779, Mary, the eldest daughter of George Flower and his wife Martha Fuller and the sister of both Benjamin Flower and Richard Flower. Three of his sons afterwards attained distinction in the congregational ministry, John Clayton, junior, George Clayton, and William Clayton.[1]
His brother-in-law Benjamin Flower brought an action against John Clayton, junior, who had circulated statements made by his father imputing to Flower
Notes
- ^ a b c d e f g h Stephen, Leslie, ed. (1887). . Dictionary of National Biography. Vol. 11. London: Smith, Elder & Co.
- ISBN 978-0-521-89365-7.
- Attribution
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Stephen, Leslie, ed. (1887). "Clayton, John (1754-1843)". Dictionary of National Biography. Vol. 11. London: Smith, Elder & Co.