Gratton, John

Gratton, John an eminent minister of the English Society of Friends, was born near Monyash, England, about 1641. He was converted at the age of ten, and first joined the Presbyterians; afterwards attended successively the service of the Church of England, then the meetings of the Independents, and later of the Anabaptists; about 1671 united with the Friends, and began to preach, travelling extensively throughout England, often persecuted by mobs, and from 1680 to 1686 imprisoned at Derby. While there he sometimes preached from the window to the people, wrote letters of encouragement to his brethren, and prepared a small volume, entitled The Prisoner's Vindication. In 1707 he disposed of his estate at Monyash, and, his health failing, travelled thereafter but little. He died January 9, 1711 or 1712. Among other things published by him was a Journal of his Life. See The Friend, 7:61.