[2] He was a friend of Edward Dayes[3] and Thomas Campbell, and his patrons included Lord Sedley (Henry Venables-Vernon, 3rd Baron Vernon) and George Greville, 2nd Earl of Warwick John Higton was born in Virginia in 1775, the son of John Higton, Sr. His father was a cotton planter and Loyalist, who served in Cornwallis' Central Division.
He was a follower of Edward Dayes, however it is thought he was given support to develop his own style and exhibit his paintings by Mr. Wheble, the editor of The Sporting Magazine, who said of him in 1813, whilst commenting on J. M. W. Turner and John Constable, that: "Portraits of Dogs at Ampthill Park - Both of these performances have merit.
Higton contested joint liability, but was forced to sell his house on Cornhill, and family home and offices in Blackfriars [10] and probably the Cotton Mill on Ancoats Lane, Manchester.
Higton's patrons included Lord Sedley, for whom he executed a number of paintings, particularly relating to dogs, and George Greville, 2nd Earl of Warwick.
Therefore, Higton's portraits of Warwick Castle, combined with those of Dogs belonging to George Greville, Lord Sedley, and John Fitzpatrick, perhaps reflect a more intimate relationship with the family, and their circle, than was understood.