Clinton, Thomas

Clinton, Thomas, a pioneer preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church South, was born of Irish parents in Philadelphia, Pa., in January, 1793. He was left an orphan in infancy, but received a careful bringing up in the family of a generous Methodist. In 1800 he removed with his guardian to Charleston, S. C., where he was apprenticed to a brick-mason. In 1808 he was converted, and alter spending some time as exhorter and local preacher, he in 1820, united with the South Carolina Conference, and was sent to the missions on the Mississippi. Of the fifty-six years of his ministerial life, eighteen were spent on circuits, five on colored missions, four on districts, and twenty-nine as a superannuate, He died in St. Helena Parish, La., Oct. 28, 1875. Mr. Clinton was small in person; possessed a clear, full, manly voice; was a close student, and one of the foremost theologians of his conference. In his private life he was very exact and highly exemplary. See Minutes of Annual Conferences of the Jr. E. Church South, 1875, p. 201; Simpson, Cyclop. of Methodism, s.v.