Liverpool & South West Lancashire FHS - Forum

I have been doing research on a branch of the Hearne family of London & Buckinghamshire for many years now (since 1974) and have discovered a connection with Capt. William Clayton, Merchant & Gentleman of Liverpool. Wm. Clayton was married twice, both times to an Elizabeth. His second wife was Elizabeth Leigh. They married 17th August 1690.

His eldest daughter, Jemima Clayton – born September 1686, was the child of William’s first wife, Elizabeth Herne (Hearne) whom he married on the 7th of October 1684 in London. (Wm. Clayton was an associate Merchant with Wm. Freeman & Wm. Baxter, both sugar Merchants of London. Clayton's first wife was Wm. Baxter's sister-in-law. Baxter had married Jemima Hearne who was born in 1656.) Elizabeth Hearne b.1664, and her elder sister, Jemima, were daughters of William Hearne d.1679, Citizen & Founder of London.

Elizabeth's daughter, Jemima Clayton, was married to George Tyrer, Merchant & Alderman of Liverpool on the 3rd of June 1707. It is my conclusion that since Elizabeth Hearne was orphaned at the age of 15 of both her father & step-mother, her elder sister Jemima Hearne Baxter and uncle Wm. Baxter, Merchant of London raised her and her younger brother, Thomas Hearne. (Per Hearne's 1679 Will & Baxter's 1686 Will.)

I am interested in anyone doing research on the Family of William Clayton, 17th century Merchant of Liverpool as I have various citations for my research and conclusions! I am in hopes that might generate some discussion as I’d like to trace down other pertinent information as well as find any of the George & Jemima Tyrer's descendants that might still be living in the Liverpool area or other places!

Jay

Hi and welcome to the forum. A very interesting piece of research which I would suggest you promote on various other places also if you are looking for relatives. A tree on Ancestry might get you some contacts, and also there are a number of genealogical and historical groups on Facebook as well as specific Liverpool ones.

I hope we can make some other suggestions for you.

Thanks for your reply MaryA. I have conducted much of my earlier work (pre-1690's) on ancestry.com (see my public tree at: Hearn/Garrett/Armstrong/Wheat tree on ancestry). Then too, I have had one independent genealogist assisting in Buckinghamshire and another currently in assisting me in London, plus the York Herald of Arms in London last year verified much of my Hearne research.

It appears that Wm. Clayton of St. Paul's Shadwell (his chosen home church when in London) married Elizabeth Herne of St. Dionis Backchurch (church of her brother-in-law, Wm. Baxter & elder sister, Jemima Hearne in London) on the 7th October 1684. It also appears that their eldest child (a son), William Clayton, Jr. was born in London following their marriage, but died and was buried in St. Benet Fink in London (the church that Elizabeth was born in and the church her parents were raised and buried in 1679). It states "13 August Bur Wm. son of Wm Clayton and Clayton from St. Dionis Backchurch in the middle isle of ye church." Although the inscription leaves a blank where the wife's name was to be inserted, it is certainly Elizabeth seeing he was buried out of St. Dionis!

Further information is gathered from the Last Will of Elizabeth Baxter (only surviving child of Wm. & Jemima Hearne Baxter) probated 4 September 1704. It states "Item I give to my cousin Jemima Clayton twenty pounds." The Will confirms that Elizabeth Baxter is the unmarried daughter and heir of Wm. Baxter Merchant of London... her uncle is Wm. Freeman & aunt Baxter Freeman... There are also several other cousins mentioned, but all on the Baxter side of the family. Jemima Clayton is the only cousin mentioned from the Hearne side and Wm. Hearne, Founder had only one other surviving daughter (other than the elder Jemima Hearne Baxter), which was Elizabeth Hearne. Therefore was surmise, Elizabeth married a Clayton!

Lastly, in the Ledger of Wm. Hearne, Merchant of St. Kitts & Nevis (eldest surviving son of Wm. Hearne, Founder b. 1660) we find continuous mention of Capt. Wm. Clayton, master of the ships/ketches Venture and Batchellor, jointly owned by the association of Wm. Freeman & Wm. Baxter. In one of the later Ledger entries, Wm. Hearne, Merchant (who was in Nevis/St.Kitts from 1679-1688 before settling in Maryland, USA) he mentions, Wm. Clayton of Liverpoole (see entire Ledger on ancestry public tree: Hearn/Garrett/Armstrong/Wheat under William Hearne, Merchant).

This concludes much of my current findings for Capt. Wm. Clayton, Merchant.