Clayton, John (2)

Clayton, John (2), an English Independent, was born at Clayton, near Chorley, Lancashire, Oct. 5,1754. He was brought up in the Church of England, and studied for the medical profession. Coming to London, he heard the Rev. W. Romaine preach, which led to his resolve to study for the ministry, and he went to Trevecca College, where he had special facilities for making progress. He preached some time in Lady Huntingdon's Connection, then joined the; Independents; after reading Towgood's Letters. In 1778 he was ordained pastor at the Weighhouse, Little Eastcheap. He made for himself a high reputation; was one of the foremost ministers among the dissenters; one of the Merchants' Lecturers, and two of his sons followed him in that office. He preached sermons on various public occasions, which were printed, including those at the ordination of his sons, John and George. His sermon in 1791, against the Birmingham riots, was answered by the Rev. Robert Hall. Three of his sons became Independent ministers, and The Clayton, Family Memorials is the title of a volume by T. W. Aveling (Lond. 1867), which includes memoirs of the father and his three sons. The father died Sept. 23, 1843. See Wilson, Dissenting Churches, i, 201.