John Clay

Who was John Clay?

John Clay, was an English prison chaplain.

Clay was the fifth son of Thomas Clay of Liverpool, ship and anchor smith, who died in 1821, by Mary, daughter of Ralph Lowe of Williamson Square, Liverpool, tanner. He was born in Liverpool on 10 May 1796, and after receiving a commercial education entered a merchant's office, but the failure of his master left him at the age of twenty-one without employment. He had, however, mechanical genius, and invented a chair for persons suffering with spinal complaints, and an improved bow and arrow which long bore his name.

After spending a considerable time in self-education he was ordained as a literate by the Bishop of Chester on 11 Aug. 1821, and obtained a title for orders by acting as assistant-chaplain at Preston house of correction. On 22 Sept. 1822 he was ordained a priest, and soon after entered as a ten-years man at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, but did not keep the three terms required until 1834-5, when he took his degree as bachelor of divinity.

He became chaplain of the gaol in 1823, and held the post for thirty-six years.