Sir Robert Clayton, Kt.

Marriage to: Jane (Lady) de Clayton (born Farrington) 1495 Leyland, Lancashire, England

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The Clayton Family of Clayton-le-Moors The Clayton family dates from the time when Robert de Clayton came to England with William the Conqueror and was granted lands known as Clayton-le-Moors for his important military services during the invasion of 1066. Clayton Hall dates back to the12th century and the present-day park is situated on what remains of the vast estate of the De Clayton family. It is reputed that the Royalist army were stationed at Clayton Hall before its attack on Manchester and Oliver Cromwell is said to have stayed there. Clayton Hall is said to boast three ghosts. The Claytons continued to own Clayton Hall until one Adam de Grimshaw married Cicely Clayton and made Clayton his home. It is thought that he took on the surname of Clayton, while the remainder of the Grimshaw family remained in their native Crowtree near Blackburn. Through marriage the Grimshaws acquired the lordship of Clayton, which eventually became the residence of the Byron family. Later, during Tudor times, the family had rebuilt Clayton Hall as a moated manor house, which remained in the Byron family until it was sold to Sir Humphrey Chetham in 1620 - he died there in 1653. The Manor of Adlington in Lancashire was purchased by Thomas Clayton sometime around 1688. In addition to the Manor of Adlington, Thomas Clayton bought the adjoining manor of Worthington from Edward Worthington. Thereafter the properties of Adlington and Worthington were passed by descent to members of the Clayton family, most notable among whom were Richard Clayton who became Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas in Ireland from 1765 until his death in 1770, and another Richard Clayton who studied law and served as Recorder of Wigan from 1815 to 1828 and was Constable of Lancaster Castle and British Consul at Nantes. The latter Richard was created a Baronet in 1774 and died at Nantes in 1828. Robert Clayton, brother to Baron Richard Clayton, succeeded to the Baronetcy and estates. In the 19th century, upon the death of Richard Clayton Browne-Clayton in 1886, the Adlington Hall Estate was sold. The estates and lands. comprising 129 acres was eventually bought by Wigan Corporation in 1921 for the princely sum of £4000.

Added by; HRH Prince Kieren de Muire von Drakenberg