Collection GB 0074 ACC/2360 - THORNTON, John (1720-1790)

0.15 linear metres.

GB 0074 ACC/2360 1768-1913 Collection 0.15 linear metres. Thornton , John , 1720-1790 , merchant and member of the Clapham Sect

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.

Records deposited in January 1987.

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.

Journals in chronological order.

Available for general access.

Copyright to this collection rests with the depositor.

English

Fit

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

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

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.

Records prepared May to September 2011. Cultural life Life styles Domestic life Diaries Nonfiction Religious groups Christians Protestants Evangelicals Religion Religious behaviour Information sources Documents Primary documents Cultural conditions Religious activities Thornton , John , 1720-1790 , merchant and member of the Clapham Sect Wilberforce , William , 1759-1833 , politician , philanthropist , and slavery abolitionist Clapham Lambeth London England UK Western Europe Europe Prose Literary forms and genres Literature

Records deposited in January 1987.

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.

Journals in chronological order.

Available for general access.

Copyright to this collection rests with the depositor.

• English

• Latin

English

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

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

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.

• English