John Newton: Correspondence with John Thornton

MS.Add.7826/1/A. Letters, 1770-1783, from John Newton to John Thornton and his wife, 77 items.

MS.Add.7826/1/B. Letters, 1772, from John Thornton to John Newton, 4 items.

John Thornton (1720-1790) inherited a large fortune, which he invested in trade, and used to provide generous support to the first generation of 'Evangelicals' and to circulate immense quantities of bibles and religious books throughout the world, many of which were printed at his own expense. He also bought advowsons, which he used to appoint deserving clergymen, such as John Newton (1725-1807). In 1753 Thornton married Lucy (1722-1785), only daughter and heiress of Samuel Watson of Kingston-upon-Hull.

Open for consultation by holders of a Reader's Ticket valid for the Manuscripts Reading Room.

Presented by John Thornton, 1970.

Description compiled by Robert Steiner, Department of Manuscripts and University Archives.

Additional Manuscripts Catalogue.

Cambridge University Library holds further correspondence between John Thornton and John Newton, 1772-1778, MS.Add.7674/1/A and B.