Jacob Clements was born on July 29th 1820, the eldest son of the
Revd J C Clements, of Lower Clapton, Middlesex. He was educated
privately until he went up to Oriel College, Oxford in 1838. He
took his B.A. Degree (an honorary 4th Class in Classics) in 1842,
was ordained Deacon in 1843 and Priest in 1844, as curate of Upton
St Leonard's, in the Diocese of Gloucester and Bristol. He became
incumbent of the same parish in 1846.
In 1859 Bishop Jackson of Lincoln presented him to the Vicarage
of Gainsbrough, to which is attached the Prebendal Stall of
Corringham in Lincoln Cathedral. In 1873 he was chosen Proctor in
Convocation for the chapter of Lincoln. In 1874 Bishop Wordsworth
of Lincoln transferred Jacob Clements from Gainsborough to
Grantham, making him in the same year Rural Dean of N Grantham,
Prebendary of Liddington, and eventually one of the Bishop's
Chaplains.
Whilst in Grantham, Canon Clements won the respect of all
classes due to his unfailing courtesy and assiduous attention to
all the details of the church's work and the organisations
connected with it. He was a conscientious visitor, and his
preaching was of a high order. He restored the office of daily
prayers, increased the celebrations of Holy Communion and the
observance of the Church's festivals. The appointment of sidesmen
dates from the time of Canon Clements. He had exceptional
business qualities, and took an active interest in all that
concerned the welfare of the town.
In 1878 he was collated to the Sub-Deanery, and he preached his
farewell sermon at St Wulfram's on February 9th 1879. During his
residence at Lincoln, as master of the fabric, he made great
efforts to improve the Cathedral and its environs. The restoration
of the Chapter House, which involved Canon Clements raising around
£13,000, is evidence of the energy he put into his work. He also
had a zeal for elementary education, and was a key person in the
formation of the Lincoln Church Elementary Schools Association.
Canon Clements died peacefully on Sunday June 20th, 1898 after a
period of failing health. He left a widow, two sons, and four
daughters. A bell was tolled at St Wulfram's on the Monday, and
again on the Thursday during the time of the funeral at Lincoln
Cathedral. The flag on Grantham Guildhall was flown at half-mast.
Jacob Clements was interred in the Cloister Garth of Lincoln
Cathedral.
(Taken from Death of the Rev. Jacob Clements, Sub-Dean of
Lincoln, Grantham Journal June 25th 1898)