John Clifford

  General Notes:

Became Dr John Clifford, the famous Baptist minister and fighter for social justice (in particular for non-denominational education).

He became well known, not only nationally, but throughout the world and travelled to many countries. In 1897 he visited North America with his wife.

On 19th May 1911 he arrived at Ellis Island for a second visit to the United States. He had sailed on the Mauretania out of Liverpool as a first-class passenger. On arrival, he declared that he was age 74, b. Sawley, married, a Minister and was intending to stay at the Hotel Belmont in New York. His next of kin was declared as Mrs Clifford of 25 Sunderland Terrace, Westbourne Park, London. He was descibed as 5' 8" tall, fair complexion, with white hair and blue eyes.

  Noted events in his life were:

• Occupation: lacemaker, in March 1851, at the time of the census. ¹⁸⁴ He was then living with his parents and four younger siblings at Villa Street, Beeston, Notts.

• Education: Midland Baptist College, Leicester, From Sep 1855 to Oct 1858. ¹⁸⁵

• Education: London University, From Oct 1858. ¹⁸⁶ He graduated B.A, in 1861, B.Sc (Honours in Logic, Moral Philosophy, Geology and Palæontology) in 1862, M.A. in 1864, LL.B (Honours in Principles of Legislation) in 1866. In 1883 he was awarded an honorary D.D. from Bates College, U.S.A. He received several other honorary degrees including a D.D. from Chicago University in 1911 and an LL.D from McMaster University, Toronto in the same year.

• Occupation: Baptist Minister, From 1858 to 1915. ¹⁸⁷ His whole ministry was spent at Praed Street and at Westbourne Park Churches in Paddington, London. Following his retirement in 1915 he became Pastor Emeritus until his death in 1923.

• Residence: Dudley Place, Paddington, London, at the time of the census in April 1861. ¹⁸⁸ He was then lodging there with William & Ellen Crate and was Minister of Praed Street Baptist Chapel.

• Residence: 22 Alpha Road, Marylebone, London, in April 1871, at the time of the census. ¹⁸⁹ He was then living with his wife, their three eldest children, his brother Samuel and his sisters Elizabeth and Eady.

• Residence: 51 Porchester Rd, Paddington, London, at the time of the census in April 1881. ¹⁹⁰ He was then described as a Baptist Minister and living with his wife, five children and a domestic servant.

• Residence: 21 Castlellain Street, Paddington, London, in April 1891, at the time of the census. ¹⁹¹ He was then living with his wife, four son, a daughter-in-law and a domestic servant.

• Residence: 50 St Quinton Avenue, Kensington, London, at the time of the census in March 1901. ¹⁹² He was then living with his wife, two adult children, his daughter in law and a domestic servant. Both his daughter, Kate, and daughter-in-law, Maria, were providing administrative support to John Clifford and other church staff.

• Residence: 25 Sunderland Terrace, Westbourne Park, London, in May 1911. ¹⁹³

John married Rebecca Carter, daughter of Thomas Carter and Ann, on 14 Jan 1862 in East Street Baptist Church, Southampton.¹⁷² (Rebecca Carter was born circa 1844 in Newbury, Berkshire,^{194,195,196,197,198} died on 23 Aug 1919 and was buried in Kensal Green Cemetery, London ¹⁹⁹.)