Samuel Wilton ? D.D.

Copied from an Original Painting In the Lopression of his oldest Son :

?

WEIGH-HOUSE, LITTLE EASTCHEAP.-Independent."

1765, when he was appointed regular assistant and morning preacher at this place. In the following year, Mr. Hunt, of Hackney, being laid aside from his public work, Mr. Palmer, who was their afternoon-preacher at that place, removed thither entirely, and relinquished his services at the Weigh-House. He preached his farewell sermon there, Dec. 28, 1766. Though he had the choice of both places, he wisely preferred the retreat of a country village, to the bustle and caprice of the metropolis.* This venerable minister has distinguished himself by some valuable publications in behalf of Nonconformity; on which account, as well as in some other respects, he will be entitled to the esteem of all true Protestant Dissenters. We shall have to notice some further particulars concerning him, under the article MARE-STREET, HACK

NEY.

EDWARD VENNOR.-Upon Mr. Palmer's removal to Hackney, Mr. Edward Vennor, who married Dr. Langford's daughter, was appointed his assistant. This gentleman, who is still living, is a native of Warwick, and received his academical education at Mile-End, under Doctors Walker, Conder, and Gibbons. Upon the death of Dr. Langford, he removed to Ware, in Hertfordshire, as assistant to the Rev. William Lister; upon whose death, in 1778, the congregation divided. A new meeting-house was built, in which Mr. Vennor became the fixed pastor, and where he still preaches. Both interests are in a very low

state.+

SAMUEL WILTON, D. D.-This excellent minister was born in London, in the year 1744. He was the eldest son of Mr. Samuel Wilton, an eminent hosier, in Newgatestreet, in partnership with the very respectable Mr. Thomas

WEIGH-HOUSE, LITTLE EASTCHEAP-Independent.

Holmes, whose wife's sister he married. This lady, whose christian name was Grace, was the daughter of a Mr. Avery, and a descendant of the celebrated Mr. Timothy Cruso. (U)

During his earliest years, Mr. Wilton was placed under the care of a maiden aunt, his father's eldest sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Wilton, who, in connexion with Mrs. Rachael King, sister to Dr. William King, of Hare-court, for many years, kept a boarding-school for young ladies in Hackney. There is reason to believe that her early instructions, in connexion with those of his pious parents, were of use to form his tender mind to that lively sense of divine things which he early discovered. She expressed the warmest affection for him, so long as he lived, and the highest respect for his memory to the

(v) Both the parents survived their son, whose death, though an inexpressible affliction, they bore with a truly christian patience and resignation. They were, indeed, persons of an amiable spirit as well as of exemplary piety. Mr. Wilton was many years member, and a deacon of the church in Old Gravel-lane, Wapping, under the pastoral care of the learned Dr. David Jennings. He died at Homerton, Jan. 21, 1779, aged 68. The Rev. Noah Hill, now pastor of the same church, preached and printed a sermon upon his death, containing a just and striking account of his amiable character. Besides Dr. Wilton, these excellent persons had another son, and three daughters, all of whom they had the pleasure to see following them to heaven. Mr. Thomas Wilton, the son, was engaged in the same. business as his father, but died at an early period, of a most painful and lingering disorder. He was a youth of distinguished piety, who had promised great usefulness in the world, and the church of Christ. Dr. Gibbons, of whose church he was a member, preached and printed a sermon upon occasion of his death, which happened August 5, 1776, in the 31st year of his age. It contains an edifying account both of his character, and his manner of leaving the world, One of the daughters above-mentioned, was admitted Feb. 1, 1765, at the same time with her brother just mentioned, a member of the church at Haberdashers'-Hall. She was early married to Mr. Joseph Parker, son to the Mr. Parker, who was Dr. Watts's Amanuensis.-Theological Magazine for July 1801.—Mr. Hill's Sermon for Mr. Samuel Wilton-and Dr. Gibbons's Sermon for Mr. Thomas Wilton.

WEIGH-HOUSE, LITTLE EASTCHEAP.--Independent.

day of her death, which took place many years afterwards.* (w)

Mr. Wilton received his classical learning, in which he was a great proficient, in the grammar-school of ChristChurch Hospital, in the precincts of which his father lived. (x) His tutor was the Rev. Mr. Townley, a learned man, and a clergyman of the established church, who ever manifested the most respectful regard to his pupil, as one who did him singular honour. He entered upon academical studies under the direction of the eminent Dr. David Jennings, who dying before they were finished, he completed them under the Doctor's assistant and successor, Dr. Samuel Morton Savage, of whose church he also became a member. Soon afterwards, the academy was removed to Hoxton, and the students were boarded by Dr. Abraham Rees, who was chosen mathematical tutor, and Dr. Andrew Kippis, teacher of the Belles-Lettres.+ Mr. Wilton conducted himself, in every respect, suitably to his character, as a candidate for the sacred ministry, so as to enjoy the respect and love of his fellow-pupils, as well as the distinguished regard of his pastor and tutors.‡(Y)

• Theological Magazine for July, 1801.

(w) Mrs. Elizabeth Wilton died at Hackney, May 13, 1799, at the advanced age of 91. She retained her faculties in a remarkable degree to the last; and, like most of her family, was eminent for faith and piety.Prot. Diss. Magazine, vol. vi. p. 240.

(x) His house stood on the spot where a new grammar-school was erected

a few years ago.

+ Orton's Letters to Dissenting Ministers, vol. ii. Appendix.

Mr. Palmer's Sermon on the Death of Dr. Wilton, p. 23.

(Y) Dr. Rees observes, that," Mr. WILTON, who was his pupil in Mathematics, Astronomy, and Philosophy, made considerable proficiency in those departments of science, and that his talents, attainments and character deserve high commendation.”—One of his fellow-pupils, also, added the following testimony: "He had the fullest claim to their esteem and love, for he was most exemplary for his assiduity and attainments; for a respectful attention to his tutors, and for his courteousness and unaffected kindness to his fellow-pupils. One trait, in particular, of his disposition

WEIGH-HOUSE, LITTLE EASTCHEAP.- Independent.

While he pursued his academical studies, he continued to reside in his father's house, where he was a comfort and a blessing to the whole family. As this was a very hospitable mansion, to which a number of worthy ministers, both in town and country, had frequent access, he formed with many of them an early acquaintance. This was of no small advantage to himself, and afterwards proved, in some respects, a blessing to several of them, particularly those settled in the country, whose circumstances rendered that assistance acceptable, which he had afterwards the ability, and which it was one of his highest gratifications, to bestow. Here also, several of his fellow-students, and some of his contemporaries in another academy, met with a kind entertainment from his friends, and established a friendship with him, to their mutual pleasure and profit. (z) As was, also, the case with some young scholars of good characters and abilities, who were on the foundation of the school to which his father's house was so contiguous.*

Mr. Wilton having finished his studies, came forth to the discharge of ministerial duties, with a mind richly furnished,

towards them is worthy of being recorded. His ardour in the pursuit of knowledge, and of every qualification for the important work to which he had consecrated himself, was entirely free from jealousy and selfishness. He was solicitous to excite and cherish the same ardour in his associates. He was, at that early period of his life, modestly communicative, and a zealous promoter of useful conversation. At his father's house, and at the apartments of his fellow-students, he would join with them in reading the classics, and in pursuing other branches of literature: and though a reciprocal communication was the idea under which he represented the design of those meetings, his liberality in imparting information was equal to his superior abilities and furniture. On such occasions, too, and at every suitable opportunity, he would, in the most amiable, and unoffending manner possible, suggest hints respecting the spirit, conduct and views, which became those who were under a course of education for the Christian Ministry. Orton's Letters to Dissenting Ministers, vol. ii. Appendix.

(z) One of this number was the respectable and well known Mr. Kings, bury, of Southampton.

• Theological Magazine, ubi supra.