Researching John Clayton

Clayton was born in Chesterfield, the son of Joseph Clayton and his wife Hannah. His father was founder of Clayton & Company, tanners and curriers, of Clayton Street Chesterfield. Clayton played for Derbyshire Colts and for Derbyshire in a miscellaneous match against Harrow Wanderers in the 1879 season. He played for Gentlemen of Derbyshire during a tour by Canada in 1880. He made his first-class debut for Derbyshire in the 1881 season when he scored a duck in his one and only innings before the match was rained off. He also played a miscellaneous match against Derbyshire Colts. Two years later, in the 1883 season, he represented the county again, in his second and final County match, against Surrey, in which he scored the only three runs of his first-class career. In 1884 he played for Gentlemen of Derbyshire against Gentlemen of Philadelphia.

Clayton was a right-handed batsman and scored 3 runs in three innings in two matches. He was a right-arm medium-fast bowler and bowled 16 balls without taking a wicket

Clayton ran Clayton & Co with his brother Joseph Edward Clayton until the early 20th Century. He was Mayor of Chesterfield from 1890 to 1892.

Clayton died in West Southbourne at the age of 80.

Clayton married Maria Robinson, daughter of William Bradbury Robinson of Robinson's of Chesterfield, in 1884.

Clayton was the son of John Clayton, of Okenshaw, Yorkshire and his wife Elizabeth Fitzwilliam, daughter of Gerard Fitzwilliam of Bentley. His father was a barrister and recorde of Leeds. He was admitted at Clare College, Cambridge on 18 June 1638 and matriculated in 1639. He was admitted at Inner Temple in 1639 and was called to the bar in 1648. In 1643, he was a captain of foot in the Parliamentary army and took the colours of Sir William Savile in the capture of Leeds. He fought in the defence of Hull and became major before 1650.

In 1659, Clayton was elected Member of Parliament for Lostwithiel in the Third Protectorate Parliament. In 1660, he was elected MP for Lostwithiel in the Convention Parliament. There was a double return which was resolved in his favour in June. He was imprisoned for four months in 1662 on a charge of treasonable words. The last evidence of him is in 1694 when he complained to the benchers of his Inn about his chambers, which had been sublet to a "blackamoor". Clayton was unmarried and over 50 on the death of his father in 1671 and had to marry within three years to inherit. He married Thomasine Goodwin, widow of Deane Goodwin of Bletchingley and daughter of Sir Samuel Owfield of Upper Gatton Surrey.