|
a.
|
Note: N7843 The first record we have of Reverend Clough is in 1676 when he was the minister of Jamestown. He supported Governor Berkeley during Bacon's Rebellion in 1678 and was taken prisoner by Bacon. The rebel, Nathanial Bacon, subsequently offered The Reverend John Clough and two other prisoners in exchange for three prisoners held by Governor Berkeley. The governor refused and instead hung the three Bacon wanted. While condemned to death by Bacon, eventually Clough was released and in 1680 became the minister at Southwark Parish, in Surry Country.
One suspects this may have provided him the opportunity to meet Elizabeth Meriwether, as it was known the Browne family attended the Southwark Church. At that time, accepting that she was born around 1663, Elizabeth would have been around seventeen or eighteen years old and eligible to be married. We know The Reverend Clough was alive and likely still the minister at Southwark Church on 4 September 1683 when he is mentioned in a Surry county court action. He may then have returned to Jamestown, possibly to minister in Jamestown Parish, as his monument is still surviving in the Jamestown Cemetery.
© Copyright 2006 The Meriwether Society
|
