Moreton, William (1641-03-25 - 1715-11-21)

William Moreton, the eldest son of Edward Moreton, clergyman, was born in Chester in 1640/1. He matriculated from Christ Church College, Oxford, in 1660 and graduated B.A. in 1664, M.A. in 1667, and B.D. in 1674; he was created D.D. by special decree in 1677. He was made rector of Churchill, Worcestershire in 1669, and also served as chaplain to Aubrey Vere, earl of Oxford. He accompanied James, duke of Ormond to Ireland in 1677 as his chaplain, and was appointed dean of Christ Church, Dublin later that year. Moreton was consecrated as bishop of Kildare in 1682, retaining the deanery of Christ Church and the preceptor of Tully. Moreton was an eminent tory, high-church Irish bishop during Queen Anne’s reign, enacting policies that ensured conformity with the Church of Ireland’s liturgy and endearing himself to the Irish lord justices. He was translated to Meath in 1705 and died in Dublin on 21 November 1715; he was buried in Christ Church on the 24 November. Moreton was predeceased by his first wife, Mary Atkins, with whom he had his son Richard Moreton (c.1685-1736, prebendary of Connor 1731-6). With his second wife Mary Harman he had another son, William Moreton (1696-1763), who served as recorder of London (1753-63) and an MP for Brackley in parliament (1755-61).