James Clegg

James Clegg, M.D. (1679–1755) was an English presbyterian minister and author. Life James Clegg was born at Shawfield in the parish of Rochdale, Lancashire on 26 October 1679 and was educated by Richard Frankland at Rathmell in Yorkshire and, later, by John Chorlton at Manchester. In 1702 he settled as minister of a Congregational chapel at Malcalf or Malcoffe in Derbyshire, in succession to William Bagshaw, the "Apostle of the Peak", and in 1711 he moved to Chinley, where a chapel had been built, partly from the old materials of the Malcoff meeting-house. He remained at Chinley until his death on 5 August 1755. He qualified himself as a doctor and obtained the degree of M.D. from the University of Aberdeen. This step was no doubt taken in order that he might have the means of adding to the slender income he would receive as a village dissenting pastor. During his long residence in the Peak District he gained great respect for his abilities and kindly character. Clegg began keeping a sporadic diary in 1708 and became more consistent about 10 years later. He records events concerning his family (his five sons and four daughters as well as his and his wife's parents and siblings), community and chapel events, his visits (sometimes several a day) to parishioners and others to treat their ailments, to pray with them, or just to visit, covering great distances on foot and on horseback. Occasionally he discusses politics and elections (Clegg was a Whig), and differences about matters of faith among the various Dissenting groups of the time - especially Congregationalists, Presbyterians and Wesleyans (Clegg discussed directly with Wesley). He writes about disputes between families including his son's apprenticeship disagreement with his master/teacher. He also discusses the weather, the state of the roads, catastrophes, accidental deaths and events like eclipses.