Newton, John
1802-1886
Born in Nottingham in August(?) 1802, he was brought up a Congregationalist. A lace-maker by trade, he moved to Beeston c.1830, during a period of depression in the trade and became choirmaster at the WM chapel. Back in Nottingham, he became choirmaster at the Parliament Street MNC chapel from 1834 to 1842. He published several collections of hymn tunes, including The Pilgrim in which 'Sovereignty' (HP 38), set to Samuel Davies' 'Great God of wonders', first appeared. He was associated with the Nottingham Choral Society and wrote several oratorios.