Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Troughton, William

by Alexander Gordon

TROUGHTON, WILLIAM (1614?–1677?), nonconformist divine, son of William Troughton, rector of Waberthwaite, Cumberland, was born about 1614. He matriculated at Queen's College, Oxford, on 24 Oct. 1634, aged 20. In 1647 he was chaplain to Robert Hammond [q. v.], governor of the Isle of Wight, when Charles I is said to have held affable discussions with him. A ludicrous story is told of his alarm at the bringing in of a sword for the knighting of John Duncomb. In 1651 he held the rectory of Wanlip, Leicestershire, but soon afterwards obtained the vicarage of St. Martin, Salisbury, and took an active part in suppressing the royalist insurrection in that city on 11 March 1654–5. He was probably ejected at the Restoration, and preached privately as an independent at Salisbury. He is said to have been a glover, perhaps engaging in this business after ejection. In 1662 he removed to Bristol and preached there. Subsequently he removed to London. He is not heard of after 1677.

He published:

1. ‘Saints in England under a Cloud,’ 1648, 8vo.
2. ‘Scripture Redemption … limited,’ 1652, 8vo (answered by James Browne).
3. ‘The Mystery of the Marriage Song,’ 1656, 8vo (exposition of Ps. xlv.).
4. ‘Causes and Cure of Sad … Thoughts,’ 1676, 12mo; 1677, 12mo.

[Wood's Athenæ Oxon. (Bliss), iv. 9, 407; Calamy's Account, 1713, p. 756; Foster's Alumni Oxon. 1892, iv. 1513.]

A. G.