John Stoughton (clergyman)

John Stoughton (1593?–1639) was an English clergyman, of influential millennial views. He was the stepfather and preceptor in their youth of Ralph Cudworth and James Cudworth.

John Stoughton, baptized at Naughton, Suffolk in 1593, was one of the three sons of the clergyman Thomas Stoughton (c.1557–c.1622), and his wife, Katherine. Thomas Stoughton, the father, was born in Sandwich, Kent and studied at the University of Cambridge, matriculating in 1573 and graduating B.A. in 1576/7 and M.A. 1580 from Queen's College. Following his ordination in the chapel of the Bishop of Lincoln in his palace at Buckden, Huntingdonshire in 1582, he became Rector of Naughton from 1586 to 1594. During this time his first children, including John and Thomas, were born. Involved with the Conference of reformed ministers at Dedham, Essex, he served as assistant minister at Great Burstead, Essex before being presented by Baron Rich to the Vicarage of Coggeshall, Essex in 1600. By 1603, when his wife Katherine died, she had borne him twelve children, of whom a further son Israel and four daughters reached adulthood. As one not conforming to the Anglican formulae he was deprived by High Commission of his living in 1606: Ralph Cudworth, of Emmanuel College, Cambridge, was instituted Perpetual Vicar in his place at the presentation of Baron Rich, and held it for two years. After some time at Great Totham Stoughton returned to Kent and died there in 1622.

...
Wikipedia