THORNTON, John (1720-1790)

Identity Statement

Reference code(s)	: GB 0074 ACC/2360
Held at	: London Metropolitan Archives   Click here to find out how to view this collection at https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/lma ›
Full title	: THORNTON, John (1720-1790)
Date(s)	: 1768-1913
Level of description	: Collection
Extent	: 0.15 linear metres.
Name of creator(s)	: Thornton | John | 1720-1790 | merchant and member of the Clapham Sect

Context

Administrative/Biographical history:

John Thornton was born in Clapham on 1 April 1720, the son of Robert Thornton, a successful merchant in Russia. John inherited his father's fortune and invested it in trade. He was a generous supporter of the first generation of 'Evangelical' Anglicans and was one of the so-called 'Clapham Sect', a group of pious evangelical reformers living in Clapham whose lives were ruled by the teaching of the Bible. In addition to their religious activities, the Clapham Sect were equally active in the cause of social reform and the abolition of slavery. The group included William Wilberforce and Thornton's diaries mention his friendship with the Wilberforce family. The journals reflect the great importance of the Bible in John Thornton's daily life and his intense religious conviction. He died on 7 November 1790.

Content

Scope and content/abstract:

Personal diaries of John Thornton, merchant and member of the Clapham Sect. One journal has entries only on Sundays and records religious thoughts; while the others provide a record of daily events (including business, charitable activities and social events) interspersed with religious musings. Also drawing of the coat of arms of Lord Slane, described as an ancestor of the Thorntons.

The Sandhurst examination marks from 1913 (ACC/2360/005) appear to have no connection with the journals and the coat of arms.

Access & Use

Language/scripts of material:
English

System of arrangement:

Journals in chronological order.

Conditions governing access:

Available for general access.

Conditions governing reproduction:

Copyright to this collection rests with the depositor.

Finding aids:

Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm

Archival Information

Archival history:

Immediate source of acquisition:

Records deposited in January 1987.

Allied Materials

Related material:

For other papers relating to the Clapham Sect, see P95/TRI1 and O/535.

Publication note:

Description Notes

Archivist's note:

Rules or conventions:
Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

Date(s) of descriptions:
Records prepared May to September 2011.