James Clinton

James Clinton ( – 24 January 1718) sired the American branch of the prominent Clinton family including 4th Vice President of the United States George Clinton and Revolutionary War Major General James Clinton. According to Clinton family lore, James Clinton was an Anglo-Irish soldier and politician. Clinton’s name does not appear to be extant in contemporary political papers, or contemporary military documents, and the details of possible military and political careers thus far remain a mystery. Early life Clinton was born circa 1667 in Ireland. He was the son of Elizabeth (née Kennedy) Clinton and William Clinton (1614–1684), who is said to have been a royalist officer in the army of Charles I of England (A corresponding army commission for a William Clinton has yet to be located.) James’ father is alleged to have been a nephew of Thomas Clinton, 3rd Earl of Lincoln and a grandson of Henry Clinton, 2nd Earl of Lincoln How this family relationship has been deduced is unclear. It was not mentioned by either Charles, George, or Dewitt Clinton; and no William has been identified in the corresponding generation of the family of the Earls of Lincoln who fits the dates attributed to William Clinton, father of James.