James Clegg was born at Shawfield in the parish of Rochdale, Lancashire on 26 October 1679 and was educated by Richard Frankland at Rathmell in Yorkshire and, later, by John Chorlton at Manchester.
This step was no doubt taken in order that he might have the means of adding to the slender income he would receive as a village dissenting pastor.
During his long residence in the Peak District he gained great respect for his abilities and kindly character.
He records events concerning his family (his five sons and four daughters as well as his and his wife's parents and siblings), community and chapel events, his visits (sometimes several a day) to parishioners and others to treat their ailments, to pray with them, or just to visit, covering great distances on foot and on horseback.
In 1721, he published a discourse on the "Covenant of Grace", written in answer to Samuel De la Rose of Stockport; and in 1731 he printed a sermon which he had preached at the ordination of John Holland, jun., entitled The Continuance of the Christian Church secured by its Constitution.
In 1736, Clegg wrote a book which is valuable for its biographical information, entitled A Discourse occasion'd by the sudden death of the Reverend Mr. John Ashe : to which is added a Short Account of his Life and Character, and of some others in or near the High Peak in Derbyshire, as an appendix to the Rev.