William Clayton (December 9, 1632 - 1689) was acting Governor of the Pennsylvania Colony in 1684-1685. He was one of the first judges of the city of Philadelphia as well as a President of the Pennsylvania Provincial Council in 1682 and 1684.
Video William Clayton (Governor)
Early life
Clayton was baptized on December 9, 1632, in Boxgrove, England, the son of William Clayton and Joan Smith.
His mother died before he was a teenager, and in 1653 he married Prudence Lanckford, a daughter of William Lanckford, in St Pancras, London. Clayton became a carpenter by trade and a follower of the Quaker religion.
Maps William Clayton (Governor)
Pennsylvania
Clayton was a founder of the Pennsylvania colony, serving as an original commissioner for William Penn, as well as one of Philadelphia's first judges and eventually acting Governor of the colony.
Penn Company Commissioner
In 1677, Clayton set sail for America, arriving in New York after being selected by Penn to serve as a commissioner. He oversaw the clearance of Indian land titles acquired by Penn in the West Jersey colony near present day Burlington, New Jersey. In 1678, he purchased 1000 acres in Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania. In 1681, his family removed to Chichester, Pennsylvania, where Clayton had secured a 500-acre land patent.
Chester and Philadelphia judge
In 1681, he presided over the first Upland Court in Chester, and eventually was one of the first judges of nearby Philadelphia.
Governor Council President
In 1682, he served as President of Governor Markham's council, and in 1684 for Penn.
Acting Governor of Pennsylvania
In 1684, he was the acting Governor of Pennsylvania, serving in that post over the next two years.
Notable American relations
Notable descendants of Clayton are:
- Henry Armitt Brown, author and orator
- Thomas Clayton, U.S. Senator from Delaware
- Joshua Clayton, 10th Governor of Delaware
- John M. Clayton, 18th U.S. Secretary of State
- John Middletown Clayton, Republican Congressman elect in Arkansas
- Powell Clayton, 9th Governor of Arkansas
- W.H.H. Clayton, United States federal judge
References
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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