Cotton, Thomas

Cotton, Thomas an English Presbyterian, born at Workby, near Rotherham, in 1653, was educated by four eminent tutors, and took his degree at Edinburgh University in 1677. Owing to the persecutions prevailing, Sunday service was long held in his father's house. He then travelled for three years with a gentleman on the Continent. On his return to London he was for a time a tutor, and chaplain to Lady Russell. He had a church in St. Giles parish for some years, but it suffered severely in the Sacheverel riots, in 1709, and he had to flee for safety. He was one of the non-subscribing members at the Salters' Hall synod, 1719. He died at Hampstead, in 1730, much loved and esteemed. He published one Sermon (1702). See Wilson, Dissenting Churches, 4:376.