John Chorlton was born at Salford in 1666. On 4 April 1682 he was admitted to be educated for the ministry at Rathmell Academy under Richard Frankland. On completing his studies he was chosen as assistant to Henry Newcome, the founder of nonconformity in Manchester. On 8 March 1689 he married Hannah, daughter of Joseph Leeche. On Newcome's death he became pastor. The congregation on 14 Oct. 1695 invited Oliver Heywood to become his colleague, but the old man declined to leave Northowram. An assistant was obtained in the person of an adventurer passing under the name of Gaskeld, who, after pleasing the Manchester presbyterians with his learning and eloquence, disappeared with a borrowed horse, made his way to Hull, and finally fled to Holland. On Frankland's death at Rathmell, Chorlton, with great spirit, resolved to continue Frankland's 'northern academy', transferring it to Manchester. Accordingly on 21 March 1699 he ‘set up teaching university learning in a great house at Manchester.’ Eleven of Frankland's students finished their course with him, and the names of twenty others who studied under him are known. His most distinguished student was Thomas Dixon. James Clegg, one of the transferred students, is our chief authority on the mode in which the academy was conducted. He describes Chorlton as a worthy successor to Frankland, and superior as a preacher. Matthew Henry speaks of his ‘extraordinary quickness and readiness of expression; a casuist, one of a thousand, a wonderful clear head.’ Chorlton now wanted assistance both in the pulpit and in the academy. Applications were made in 1699 to James Owen of Oswestry and Thomas Bradbury, both of whom declined. Next year the services of James Coningham were secured. The ‘provincial meeting’ of Lancashire ministers gave a public character to the academy, passing resolutions in its favour and raising funds for its support. At the summer assizes of 1703 Chorlton was presented for keeping a public academy, but through private influence the prosecution was stayed. Chorlton's labours were cut short in his prime. He suffered from stone, and died in his fortieth year on 16 May 1705; he was buried at the collegiate church on 19 May.
The Glorious Reward of Faithful Ministers, &c., 1696, 4to. Funeral sermon for Henry Newcome. Robert Halley reckoned it "one of the best of the nonconformist funeral sermons". Preface by John Howe.
Dedication to Lord Willoughby, and 'Brief Account of the Life of the Author', prefixed to Henry Pendlebury's Invisible Realities, &c., 1696, 12mo.
